Tuesday, January 31, 2006

"Pastels" Photo Contest

Ok, here are my photos for the Pastel Photo Challenge. Flowers are from this summer at my folks & the Flamingos are from Sea World in San Diego last spring. Well don't know how they'll do but I sure liked them. Wish me luck!

Sunday, January 29, 2006

I Think Too Much?!


Ok, people think I think too much! HA! My brain must be on vacation lately because look at Robin's "Just Wondering" posting! HA! I will say I love it though! :-)

1 Jing a ling, 2 Jing a ling...


Well it was time to change the ringer on the cell phone. HA! I had "Collect Call From Santa" still on it & you can imagine the kids reactions in the stores when Santa was still calling me. Ha! Actually, that was good...I could remind them Santa was still watching them for next Christmas! :-) Actually that would be a great ringtone for parents...boy could you keep your kids behavior in line all year round if they thought you talked to Santa all the time! HA! And Santa calling you means he must be watching!

So I changed it to Edna! :-) I love her! She is such a hoot! "This is Edna Darling...Edna Mode!" :-) I also made my caller tune Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better"! Man do I love that song! Just something about that song.....MMMMM! ;-) Probably also the link with James Bond! ;-) Oh...that reminds me...have to go see Matador with Pierce! Has anyone seen it yet?

So what do you have as your ringtone & if you have a callertune?

Some Giggles!

A friend of mine sent me these today! A few good giggles for you! :-) Of course I'll add some pix that balance out any stereotype you may be feeling because by all means I'm not promoting that! :-)

You know....I need to write things down already! :-(  Anyone else going into rooms & forgetting why when you get there???

GETTING OLD .......

 A very elderly gentleman, (mid nineties) very well dressed, hair well
 groomed, great looking suit, flower in his lapel smelling slightly of a
 good after shave, presenting a well looked-after image, walks into an
 upscale cocktail lounge. Seated at the bar is an elderly looking lady,
 (mid eighties).
 
The gentleman walks over, sits alongside of her, orders a drink, takes a
 sip, turns to her and says, "So tell me, do I come here often?" 
 
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years.
 
He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a
set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%.
 
The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor
 said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that
 you can hear again."
 
The gentleman replied, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit
around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three
times!" 

Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement centre were sitting on a bench
under a tree when one turns to the other and says: "Slim, I'm 83 years
old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my
age. How do you feel?"
 
Slim says, "I feel just like a newborn baby."
 
"Really!? Like a newborn baby!?"
 
"Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants.
 
An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after
eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two
gentlemen were talking, and one said, "Last night we went out to a new
restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly.
 
The other man said, "What is the name of the restaurant?"
 
The first man thought and thought and finally said, "What is the name of
that flower you give to someone you love? You know... the one that's red
and has thorns."
 
"Do you mean a rose?"
 
"Yes, that's the one," replied the man. He then turned towards the
kitchen and yelled, "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to
last night?

Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being discharged.
However, while working as a student nurse, I found one elderly
gentleman--already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his
feet--who insisted he didn't need my help to leave the hospital.
 
After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to
the elevator. On the way down I asked him if his wife was meeting him.
 
"I don't know," he said. "She's still upstairs in the bathroom changing
 out of her hospital gown." 

A couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things.
During a check-up, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay,
but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember.
Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair.
"Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?" he asks.
 
"Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?"
"Sure."
"Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" she
asks.
"No, I can remember it."
Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it
down, so's not to forget it?"
He says, "I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with
strawberries."
"I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it
down?" she asks.
Irritated, he says, "I don't need to writeit down, I can remember it!
Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness
sake!" 
Then he toddles into the kitchen.
After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands
his wife a plate of bacon and eggs.
 She stares at the plate for a moment.
 "Where's my toast?"
 
A senior citizen said to his eighty-year old buddy: "So I hear you're
getting married?"
"Yep!"
"Do I know her?"
"Nope!"
"This woman, is she good looking?"
"Not really."
"Is she a good cook?"
"Naw, she can't cook too well."
"Does she have lots of money?"
"Nope! Poor as a church mouse."
"Well, then, is she good in bed?"
"I don't know."
"Why in the world do you want to marry her then?"
"Because she can still drive!"

Three old guys are out walking.
First one says, "Windy, isn't it?"
Second one says, "No, it's Thursday!"
Third one says, "So am I. Let's go get a beer."

A man was telling his neighbour, "I just bought a new hearing aid. It
cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art. It's perfect."
"Really," answered the neighbour. "What kind is it?"
"Twelve thirty."

Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few
days later, the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a
gorgeous young woman on his arm.  A couple of days later, the doctor
spoke to Morris and said, "You're really doing great, aren't you?"

Morris replied, "Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be
cheerful.'"
The doctor said, "I didn't say that. I said, 'You've got a heart murmur;
be careful.'"

A little old man shuffled slowly into an ice cream parlour and pulled
himself slowly, painfully, up onto a stool. After catching his breath,
he ordered a banana split.
The waitress asked kindly, "Crushed nuts?"
"No," he replied, "Arthritis."

Remembering Challenger!

Ok, I'm really quite pissed now! Twice I've done this posting & AOL has crashed it! UGH!!!!! I tried this afternoon & couldn't redo it before heading out to a Chinese New Year Celebration. At least the party was fun & took the stress of all this away. There were about 30 of us! :-) Then after I came home I started to work on it & find new links etc. So once again I will TRY!
***************************************************************************
Do you remember what you were doing 20 years ago today (Sat!)?

I was a Junior in college. Dang, I feel old now! :-( It was an eerie day. I was sitting on a bench in the hallway of Wagner hall waiting to get into my Experimental Psych course. I was listening to classical music on my Walkman (Cassette ones in those days!). I remember thinking "If you were going to die today would you know? Would it feel any different to you?" Well, do you understand why I was majoring in Psych! HA! Of course taking all those classes makes you do that too. Well, I finished my class & headed to the Student Union to meet one of my best friends Colleen for lunch. I entered the sandwich shop & it was weird! Complete stillness! No one was moving or really talking. My friend filled me in on what happened & it was there I saw on the wide screen projection tv the explosion as the news was repeating it.

I remember Christa McAuliffe was to go up in space. As I sat in bed studying each night the news would announce the launch was scrubbed once again due to weather. No figured "no big deal". The shuttles were pretty much routine then. Unfortunately, many others at NASA and Morton Thiokol also felt this way. It is odd how the textbooks I use for my students now have the Challenger as an example of "Groupthink". Groupthink is where one has uncritical approval & conforms to what others think. They figure others no what is wrong & they haven't said anything so why should I. Actually, tonight I watched on the National Geographic Channel "Challenger: The Untold Story". They had the widow of Dick Scobee & one of the top engineers from Morton Thiokol who did try to stop the launch but others would not listen to him. Check out his website.

When Columbia exploded I was worried the same thing happened & they did not learn from their mistakes with Challenger. I watched a great deal of Discovery's coverage. I was happy to hear Commander Eileen Collins state NASA had changed & that if anyone had any concerns they were to speak up. The last pix show a poster they had at NASA.

Check out the following:

Challenger Learning Centers

NASA Day of Remembrance

CNN: Remembering Challenger

CNN: Remembering Christa

NY Times Article

NY Times Article: Colonel Mullane NASA Critic
I love his quote: Testosterone is Neurotoxic" :-)

So where were you 20 years ago today?

Friday, January 27, 2006

No, Not Phone Sex?!

My dad sent me this today and it is cute! Thought I'd share it with all of you.

It's Evil Woman


Did you think I was going to talk about some woman I sparred with? Or maybe me? Ok, so I can be quite EVIL at times...but in a good way! ;-)

I just watched the video "Beep" by the Pussycat Dolls & they stole ELO music I swear!! Listen & tell me if after that intro (also later in the song) you don't start singing "Evil Woman"! I wonder if Jeff Lynne is involved producing. He does a lot of producing & writing for others now.

I pulled out my Best of ELO CDs & listened...oh man...now I'll be listening for weeks. Good thing I don't have a camera on my computer! I'm going to have to go to the accupuncturist...there is absolutely no way you can control your hips listening to them! They have a mind of there own! .

Livin' Thing
Do Ya
Telephone Line
Turn to Stone
Mr. Blue Sky
Shine A Little Love
Don't Bring Me Down
Can't Get You Out of My Head
Strange Magic........and more!

I think I mentioned in a previous posting my folks still owe me BIG TIME for not letting me go to their concert when I was 12 yrs old. I'm still PISSED! Won 2 tickets, the New World Record Album & a t-shirt from WLS radio station. My mom's moron cousin (she owes me too!) told my folks everyone smokes pot at Uptown Theater! Ugh! Should have taken one of my folks...might have helped! HA! They gave the tickets to 2 of the 4 boys who lived next store & they bring me back just another lousy t-shirt. The decal was like 2 inches thick. It was like wearing armour! Actually, I hardly wore it so it may be worth a lot now! HA! The other one you can like see through it now! I think I still have it. Isn't there just something so awesome about t-shirts that are broken in so much that you can see through them. Can't get rid of them! :-)

Ok, those of you old enough to remember ELO let me know what you think!



 

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

More Tags

Jessica is sending out the tags....Make sure you tag 3 people to join in.  Have fun!!

1. What is your middle name? Susan

2. What size is your bed? Full...but I want a Select Comfort California King! ;-)

3. What are you listening to?  M*A*S*H

4. What are the last two digits in your phone number? 23

5.  What was the last thing you ate? Grapefruit

6.  Last person you hugged? Do my babies count? (Country & Dusty) if not then my little niece last night.

7.  How is the weather right now? 27 weatherbug & 31 Weatherchannel???? A bit foggy too.

8.  Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Comcast! UGH!

9.  The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? EYES!

10.  Do you have a bf/gf? NOPE!

12.  Do you drink? Rarely! I have no tolerance now so I really shouldn't!

13.  Ever get so drunk you don't remember the entire night?  NOPE!

14.  Hair color?  Various shades of blonde!

15.  Eye color?  green/hazel

16.  Fav baseball team? Cubbies Baby!

17.  Fav animal?  I have to choose?

18.  Favorite season? Summer for gardening, grilling & having tons of fun but I love Christmas too!

19.  Ever cried for no reason? I think I may think that at the time but usually there is a reason.

20.  Last movie you watched? Adam's Rib (Spencer Tracy & Katherine Hepburn)

29.  What book are you reading? 700 Sundays by Billy Crystal, 'Tis Me by Maureen O'Hara, Night by Elie Wiesel

30.  Piercings? 3 in one & 2 in other...I think! HA!

31.  Favorite movie? It's A Wonderful Life, Grumpy Old Men movies, Under the Tuscan Sun, The Christmas Story, Baby Boom....too many to list!

32.  Favorite college team? Don't really have one!

33.  What are you doing right now? Watching the ending of 9 Months.

34.  Any pets?  2 cats, 5 Bettas, 3 Hermit Crabs & 2 Red Eared Sliders

35.  Dog or cat? both

36.  Favorite flower?  Lilacs & Peonies

37.  Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to? Oh YA!

38.  Have you ever loved someone? Perhaps 2

39.  Who would you like to see someone right now? Probably my maternal grandparents (deceased)

40.  Are you still friends with your ex's? A few

41.  Have you ever fired a gun? no

42.  Do you like to travel by plane? Sometimes

43.  Right or left handed? right

44.  If you could be with someone right now, who would it be? Can't say

45.  How many pillows do you sleep with? Now 2.....well wait there are 2 on the side also

46.  Are you missing someone? YES!

47.  Do you have a tattoo? no, just fun ones occasionally.

48.  Do you watch cartoons on Saturday morning? Mornings? Right! I do like cartoons

49.  Are you hiding something from someone? Hmmm? I don't think so. I usually don't hide things other than presents etc.

50.  Do you play an instrument? Yes a few but not very well.

I'm tagging anyone who wants to play along and hasn't been tagged yet!

Monday, January 23, 2006

Wow, I Won!

Ok...try to view it this way now to see it bigger...

I'm so excited! I won this week's Photo Caption Contest! Take a look!

The idea orignially comes from Danielle over at Everybody knowsShe had started a "caption that photo" contest where every week, the winner from the previous week would enter a photo (theirs or one found on the net) and then everyone who reads your journal can come up with a witty caption for the photo.

Check out Kimberleigh's at I Shaved My Legs For This Too!

Ok, now now it is your turn! What caption would you give these squirrels?

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Farrell's Tape?



Ok, what can be in 
Colin Farrell's Tape (click) that could hurt him?

The article says he was engaging in "naughty acts" with his ex. What is "naughty acts" today that people would be so shocked about? I mean think of the people who watch his films? They are not conservative religious fanatics is my guess!

And you'd think a guy wouldn't mind! HA! I mean apparently his ex doesn't mind. The gender bias on this is quite interesting.

Could it be he is not that great? I mean that might ruin his reputation! HA!

Do you think it is all for Hype?

Is it the money he wants a cut of?

What are your thoughts?

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Photo Exhibit

I'm so excited. I entered 2 photos in this year in our local gallery's photo exhibit. The first pix here is titled "Lovers Dream" and I took it in the 80s. The second I entered is one of my niece but I didn't want to post it here. She is eating ice cream outside looking off to the side & the sun is shining on her. It is titled "What is she thinking?" Since that is what I think when I look at it. The second picture here is the one I entered last year. It was taken on Mackinac Island a few years ago.

I use to love taking pictures when I was in HS and then I stopped. I think I'm going to start it up again.  

I'll let you know how the reception goes.

I Love Tom! :-)

Thank God for my alert on Slapinions! I might have missed Tom Selleck being on tonight! Tom is going to be on Jessie Stone:Night Passages on CBS 9PM EST. You can watch a preview & some interviews here also.

I still remember the previews for Magnum P.I. coming on. I was in High School. I saw that & said NOTHING will interrupt me on Thursday nights! HA! What is it about  him???

* TALL...he is 6'4" (Well, maybe not now! I just found out I shrunk an inch! I hate aging!)

* Dark curly hair to put your fingers through! ;-)

* That Mustache...baby!

* That strength yet goofiness & fun! Lovely combo!

* Those green eyes!

* Lovely broad chest

* Sweet & Nurturing

* Romantic

* Not too bad in a speedo!  Go to Pix #6!

Oh man I have to stop I'm getting hot! ;-)

I'll be clued to my tv tonight that is for sure! You know the man will be 61 yrs old on Jan 29th & I'd still probably take him! :-) He is the one guy I don't think I'd think twice about the big age difference. Ha! This will probably make my father cringe since he is only about 6 yrs older! HA!

Ok, tell me if some guy looking like Tom and wearing a tool belt came to do repairs for you, you would be able to resist?! (Pix #10) HA! What is it about tool belts too? Hmmm?

Well, I hope I have a lovely dream tonight now! HA!

Go BEARS!

Guilty Pleasures



Well Patrick brought up "Guilty Pleasures" and it sounded like a great posting for me! HA! Not that I always feel guilty...that may explain a lot! HA! Only 5 man, this should be one of those 100! HA! Ok, lets see...

1. Well, one of my new ones, oh wait this would be 2! HA! Trader Joe's Cherry & Cranberry Oatmeal cookies! Oh man! The oatmeal cookie itself is so great. Don't start...you'll be addicted!

2. TGIF's Vanilla Bean Cheesecake definitely! I can't even talk when I'm eating it and those who know me, that is quite a feat! HA! I haven't had it for probably a year now but that just may be a good thing. Pretty good since Friday's is right by me.

3. Well, what can bring great guilt but shopping! HA! Not always but sometimes! HA! Sometimes I think God is having fun with me with this foot problem to prevent me from shopping! HA!

4. Oh...Portillo's Chocolate Cake...YUM! Again, it is addicting! Good thing I just have it for birthday parties!

5. Great Chocolate...like Marshall Field's Mint Bars or the World Famous Chocolate Bars. Thank God those are rare for me to get my hands on too! HA!

P.S. Someone mentioned "Men"...I can't list that...I feel absolutely no guilt with that addiction! ;-)

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

100 Questions


1 first grade teacher's name: Hmm? Can't remember. 

2 last word you said: paste

3 last song you sang: Taylor Dayne "Whenever You Fall" from Naked Without You CD (Listen a bit to each song on CD link!)

4 last person you hugged: My 8 yr old niece!

5 last thing you laughed at: One of my friends asking if the Energizer Bunny has been around! HA!

6 last time you said i dont remember: Right now! HA! 

7 last time you cried: Watching the movie "The Family Stone"

8  last time you poured super hot fudge all over yourself: Been a few years now with this injury but I do know where the fudge is!!! ;-)

9 what color socks are you wearing: Black

10  whats under your bed? A tote with all my beanie babies...lots of one with "problems" so worth a lot! Hmmm? 

11 what time did you wake up today:
10am

12 current taste: Cherry Cider

13  current hair: Good God! Ummm probably a bunch of shades of blonde & brown. 

14 Missing!

15  current annoyance: My foot, my thumb, my back, other health issues.

16 current longing: The guy I dreamt about this morning...man was that great...Perhaps 1 or 2 from the past as well...being on a beach on the warm sand listening to the ocean waves & sea gulls!

17 current desktop background: White kitten

18 current worry: Health

19 current hate: Being in pain

20 current favorite article of clothing: Lounge wear!

21 favorite physical feature of the preferred gender: eyes & then probably tie between chest & hamstrings...well big hands are lovely to have holding yours too.

22  last CD that you listened to: Taylor Dayne "Naked Without You"

23  favorite place to be: Either in the woods or on a beach...oh or with my 8 yr old niece!

24  least favorite place: Funerals

25 time you wake up in the morning: About 10am but does depend on pain level.

26  if you could play an instrument, what would you play: Tough one. Harp, Piano & drums

27  favorite color: Soft purple of course.

28 do you believe in an afterlife: I sure hope there is. I have a lot of questions & a few people I'd like to talk to!!!

29  how tall are you: 5'8"

30 current favorite word/saying: Well depends what we are talking about. If someone is in trouble with me "Oh Really?!" or "Excuse me?!". This morning's dream...."Oh Baby!"

31 favorite book: 
SARK's

32 favorite season: Winter for Christmas & Summer for Gardening, Grilling & hiking & biking etc.

33 one person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to: There are a few men I would like to talk to & figure out a few things, but I think first I really like to talk to my maternal grandparents.

34 song currently listening to: Same as #3

35 where do you want to go to college: I already did! 

36 what is your career going to be like: You mean when I grow up? HA! I think I'll just go paint some shells on a beach...less stress. :-)

37 how many kids do you want: 4 would be nice but I'm not sure at this point that is realistic.

HAVE YOU EVER*

38 eaten an entire gallon bucket of ice cream in one day: NEVER!

39  said "i love you" and meant it: Oh ya! If you mean significant other...no but maybe 1 or 2 I wish I had the opportunity to...I think?

40 gotten in a fight with your dog/cat/bird/fish, etc: Just ask Country!

41 been to New York: Nope, not yet! Oh wait...I drove through it! HA!

42 been to
Florida: Yes, 3 times!

43 been to Ca
lifornia: Yes, San Fransico & San Diego

44  been to Hawaii: No, but one place I would love to with someone I love.

45 been to Mexico: No

46 been to China: No

48 dreamed something really crazy and then it happened the next day:  yes...weird

50 sent someone to the hospital: No not yet! HA! I get in enough trouble sending myself! HA!

51 been naked in public: YES! Twice! HA! First time my mom would not let me go swimming in our pool (I think it was ours..have to ask her) because my bathing suit was wet...so I went naked. Well, come on does that make any sense? Hello? Then the second time, my mom made my sister & I bathing suits when we were like 8/9 yrs old (I think!) and I picked Terry Cloth! HA! Right...jumped in the pool & off it came! HA! With childhood experiences like that it probably explains a great deal of who I am now! HA!

OTHER*

52 do you have a crush on someone: OH YA!

53 what book are you reading now? "Tis Myself" by Maureen O'Hara (Autobiography)

54 worst feeling in the world: losing a loved one, having your heart broken, & missed opportunities.

55 what is the first thing you think when you wake in the morning?: The pain I'm in.

56 How many rings before you answer: depends on how close I am to the phone!

57 future daughter's name: Sierra Rose, Dakota (boy or girl)...I like Southwestern names.

58 future son's name: Dakota (boy or girl)

59 do you sleep with a stuffed animal: no2 real ones! HA!

60 if you could have any job you wanted: Maybe have an animal shelter/pet adoption place or help kids/teens with dealing with stress & doing well in school.

61 wish you were: out of pain & healthy, living in a house in the woods or a beach, probably having a lovely husband & children, never have any financial worries. I'd settle for the first one actually! HA!

62 college plans: Finish my PhD?

63 piercings: 2 piercings in one ear & 3 in the other...last I checked.

64 do you  smoke:  NO! YUCK!!

65 do you drink: Rarely, special occasions.

67 what kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use: Bath & Body works (75% off!) :-)

68 what are you most scared of: Missing out on real love or that I missed the opportunities I may not have realized at the time.

69 what clothes do you sleep in: Depends on night. PJ pants & top some nights all the way to...

70 who is the last person that called: I think Cheryl but I missed the call. If not it would be a doctor! Pathetic!

71 where do you want to get married: In church with all my family around to have fun celebrating with me & to thank them for all their love they have giving me over the years.

72 if you could change anything about yourself what would it be? My health. My foot is getting worse so that being ok & strong, my thumb, back & other health issues that are still nagging me as well.

73 who do you really hate: My maternal grandmother told me NEVER to hate anyone. I don't. I figure God created them also, they may be struggling in life if they are not doing good & they may actually be this way to teach us all what love & compassion are really about. I know it is hard not to hate people like Hitler etc but not hating them is actually the best way to make sure they do not win!

74 been in love: I think maybe once or twice the most but...

75 are you timely or always late: Depends what it is for. 

76 do you have a job: Yes! Professor

77 Missing!

78 best feeling in the world: Loving someone & knowing/feeling they love you.

79 are you for world peace: Oh YA! 

80 are you a health freak: Now? Unfortunately not unless you mean freaking about my health! HA! I'm really trying but some of these doctors make it difficult. More so before my foot injury & hopefully I will be better later.

81 do you have a "type" of person you always go after: Go after? I don't think I really "go after" anyone. I enjoy mutually spending time with people who are funny, who have a loving & giving heart, who know what life is really about, who love with all their spirit, who is an AWESOME kisser, loves hugging & holding hands, mustache is a plus but not always necessary, broad chested, great hamstrings....man I better stop I'm getting a bit warm. 

82 do you want someone you don't have? YES!

83 are you lonely right now: Lonely? No, Alone yes!

84 ever afraid you'll never get married: YES!

85 do you want to get married: YES!

86 do you want kids? YES!

IN THE LAST 48 HOURS, HAVE YOU*

87 cried: YES!

88 bought something: Oh Ya! Ocean Waves CD

89 gotten sick: No ::knocks on wood:: Just foot bothering me!

90 sang: Yes...love to sing...others may not like me to but...

91 said i love you: YES...to my niece!

92 wanted to tell someone you loved them: PERHAPS?!

93 met someone: Well I did see this one guy today that I've seen before and...

94  moved on: HA! I'm not too sure...some ways perhaps & other ways probably not.

95 talked to someone: OH YA! That is all I do all day long! :-)

96 had a serious talk: OH YA! But then remember I think too much!  ;-)

97 missed someone: Everyday!

98 hugged someone: Do my cats count?

99 yelled at someone: Yep, Country!

100 dreamed about someone: Oh I had a great one this morning..."my...what a broad chest you have!" ;-) Very comfortable feeling and lovely that he wanted to hold me. Don't you wish you could record those dreams & replay them! HA!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Holiday Highlights 3

Ok, here is part 3 (not sure of how many parts yet) of my holidays. Trying to catch in between my regularly scheduled life now...post holidays!

Pix 1-2

My niece & I made a gingerbread house (kit!) to bring to my cousin's house for all the kids to enjoy. Goofy me thought a Kit would be easy & quick! Right! I was so frustrated. I forgot that the icing would have to set for 15 min before we could decorate it & I had to be somewhere by a certain time! UGH! The icing was coming out of the bag on the opposite side...it was hysterical to watch I'm sure but not to go through. It was certainly an Anti-Martha Moment! Later I tried to remember it was suppose to be a "kids memory" rather than some project I was trying to do & that made the perspective a bit better. My niece  had fun but I felt so bad because I had to leave the HUGE mess (only kind I make in life! Ha!) for my parents to clean up! HA! I felt so bad. I made it up later over the holidays by cleaning up the kitchen one night.

Pix 3-6

Well Santa had to find Grandma & Grandpa's new house & he had to make a special delivery the the night of the 23rd since my nieces would spend Christmas Eve night at their mom's. My 8 yr old niece made sure to leave him plenty (and I do mean plenty!) of cookies! Santa felt if he ate all of them then he wouldn't make it back up the chimney and he didn't want to make my niece feel bad, so he snuck many of them back in the cookie jar! HA! Santa could have used some spiked cider though instead of milk! HA! My niece also had to open the fire place doors! She said he could not open them because the handles were on our side...isn't that great thinking! You see at Grandma & Grandpa's old house the fireplace did not have doors so this was a new thing. She also had to leave her "I Believe in Santa" Santa Hat near the fireplace so he could see it! The new house has some very interesting noises so at one point we really did think the reindeer were on the roof & so she had to get to sleep for Santa to come. My older niece was also told Santa did not come for teenagers either unless they went to bed! HA! The girls could clearly tell what Santa brought them as one side was mostly pink & the other lime green. My youngest niece has pink blood! HA! The older one painted her bedroom lime green a few months ago so she got all the squish pillows like Sprees, Lucky Charms, Dubble Bubble, Jolly Ranchers and other fun things for her new teenage room. The younger one got her staple of Barbies...Fairytopia and a few others and Cinderella PJs & purse among other fun items. Christmas Eve is Grandpa's birthday so there was more fun to be had later in the day. The traditional Polish dinner was maintain...well a few things have gone by the wayside since my parents were little.

Pix 7

Santa brought Dusty & Country a new furry purple bed & the brush stand you can see a bit. Country rubbed against the brush right away but just like kids & their toys now he isn't too into it. He is however very much into enjoying that bed. He has pretty much taken it over. I have yet to see Dusty in it! HA!

More to come....

The Rockettes ROCK...or Should I say KICK!

Ok...everyone is asking me how the Rockettes were? They were AWESOME! I am so glad we went! Here are a few pix...we couldn't take any during the show. I do wish some the Rockettes came in the atrium after the show to take pictures & talk to the kids.

My niece had a blast! She wants to audition now! HA! She love the Chorus line kicking of course. She had been doing it for weeks at home! HA! There was one skit where a fake side of a Taxi car goes across the stage with a Rockette in it. When it got to the middle of the stage the Rockette comes out & so does all the rest of them. My niece was so amazed & ask how did they all fit in there! HA! I love kids! Grandpa was even heard laughing during the show! :-)

Grandma & Grandpa bought her a Rockette doll which she slept with that night! HA! Pix #9 is the Rockette Doll the next day playing some Playstation! HA! Her teacher asked her class to bring something they got for Christmas & she brought her Rockette doll!

I found it fascinating to read about the history of the Rockettes. They were started in the 1920s I believe in Missouri.

The costumes were very colorful & Santa even came. A few of the Rockettes must have been 7 feet tall! That is what they seemed like man! And one you could see her big white teeth even from the back of the theatre! MAN! I would definitely go again and highly recommend you go once in your lifetime! Well worth it!

Let Them Eat Cake!


Did you all see Joe's entry on the George Washington University students prank on campus police? Bahaha! I love it! Check out the photos they are just too funny! Now I would think this is going to tick off CP quite a bit & it is just the beginning of the term. Oh Boy!

Can you imagine others doing things like this? Like on your spouse...man! HA! Any suggetions?

Monday Photo Shoot: Body Parts

John's Monday Photo Shoot is Body Parts...ha! Too perfect for today...ok so technically that was yesterday now but...

WARNING: Icky surgery photos! If you don't like blood you might want to just not look! :-) Added them this way so you can enlarge if you like!

Pix 1-6:

Those of you following my journal probably already know I had foot surgery a year ago last Sept. I had injured my foot on a roller coaster 5 yrs ago come this July. I had just thought it was bruised & it settled down in about a month but when I went back to teaching that fall I could not walk down the hallways. I was literally leaning against the walls. I had ice on it in my office & on Vicodin & was still in pain. Doctor after doctor they were not very helpful. I did have a great PT guy who did get me walking pretty good, but it never really went away completely & acted up at times. Finally, the 6th doctor MRId it again & by that time I had lost 92% of my Tendon (PLT). I had an aggressive growing Lipoma. Lipomas do develop due to trauma. So they had to go in & take it out & then graft some muscle. I got back about 50% of my muscle which once it gets developed fully it can give me 100% strength potentially.

I was off work for about 9 weeks. It was NOT fun! I had stomach complications after surgery and I am not a good person to just sit & watch tv etc that long. I am use to being out & about...hiking & biking, shopping...that alone was killing me! ....just use to doing  so much in a day & reduced to sit on your butt was not me! Oh and dancing...man it is not good when your spirit can't dance! My hips were going through withdrawal! The first 3 days I was only allowed to get up to go to the bathroom. Next 2 weeks I could only walk 10 min/hr, next 2 weeks 20 min/hr & next 2 weeks 30 min/hr. UGH!!!! Then after that I was still on crutches until about Jan/Feb.  Oh & then in Jan & Feb I stubbed two toes (on separate days!) first one on the foot I had surgery, I killed the ligament in between the first knuckle (tip of my toe) so that is real flimsy now. The second time was a baby toe on my good foot. I was on the phone when I did it & man....well turns out I broke it in 2 places. One healed good, just a line fracture but the chip that came off is not wanting to reconnect. Ugh!It isn't bad now but then I had to get that all taped up to my foot. They don't tape it to the other toes, that can pull the fracture away. So then I was waddling like some women 9 mo pregnant with both feet hurting. UGH! Then one day I dropped a totally filled shampoo bottle right on it! Good thing noone was within earshot! Although the guy upstairs may have just heard me!

Pix 7

I was doing pretty good until this past July. I was shopping at Michaels & stepped off the curb and had pain so bad I was in tears. Every step I took excruciating. I ended up in a cast for 9 weeks...killing the rest of my summer! Again only 20 min of walking per hr. I had tore the tendon, had tendintis, tore the plantar fascia & had Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. He changed my cast every 2 weeks so that was a nicebreather and it didn't look so nasty by the end of the 9 weeks. He said I really didn't do anything that thinks "just happen".

Pix 8-12

These pix are after I got my cast off at the end of summer. Still not great, as you can compare my arches but much better and I was icing it to death. I was asked to go to a PT guy up north who was finishing his Dissertation in Neurophysiology. Dr. Z said for some reason all the patients that go there make such incredible progress in such a short time. I know why! He is WONDERFUL! First thing he told me was I was walking wrong. Had me trying to walk a straight line. Right! HA! I'm not sure I could ever do that! I asked for a note in case some cop stopped me! Ha! No, I wouldn't have a need really but just was funny thinking about it. Ultrasounded it to death...highest level! I could feel my whole foot in my skin! YIPES! Cortisone machine really helped. Then I had to learn to walk on my toes! Ya Right...this is why I never went into Ballet! Exercises everyday, TENS stimulation etc. I was getting pretty good and then my PT benefits ran out in Nov.

Pix 13-18

This was tonight! You can see the arch is not that great & actually it is better than Friday night. I was at a friend's friday and before heading out to dinner we sat & chatted for a bit. I had my shoes off & as I was happily talking I got this HUGE pain...sitting!!! I ws like "what was that?" Then 2 more about 50% of the first one. We did try to head out & walking wasn't hurting too bad so we had a nice time. When I got home & iced it & took the Motrin, Tylenol etc. Called Sat & they said come in today.

I had been to Dr. Z last week just for routine & told him it wasn't really bothering me too much and just showed him where it was hurting a bit & a bit numb. He ultrasounded it & informed me it was not great. It was .34 & needed to be under .30. Said the tendon was not all one color either. When I went in today he ultrasounded it again & it was .44! UGH! And this is down from Friday. He said I may have tore it abit & then said, "It may just go" mean tear completely. He reminded of a story he told me in the summer of a woman who was playing basketball & went up for the ball & it just tore in half. I remembered but thought he just told me that so I wouldn't feel bad then. Today he was much more serious of a tone. I asked if we were still talking about the tendon they repaired since this seems to be more on my heal & he said, "NO! This is your Plantar Fascia!" UGH!!! Fix one & now...He said at least it settled down for me a bit and wants to see if the PT will help. He can do a shot too but wants to wait to see. Classes started today & I had 3 in a row! I tried to sit for some of them. They also have me trekking from one building to another. They are going to work on moving my class...we'll see. He said it could be that it just is getting overworked from the other tendon not 100% or it could be just it was also going to go like anyone else.

Pix 19

My cute pedicure for Christmas...nice Snowman. I tried to pamper myself after a frustrating fall term. Getting my nails done is not a typical thing for me but I am quite enjoying it. A friend of mine took me when I was in the cast this summer to perk up my spirits & it really helped. You can tell my toes are swollen too...man! Were did that ice go again. Oh anyone that has Plantar pain...one past PT said to take an 8 oz bottle of water that you have drank & fill with tap water & put in the freezer. Then you roll your arch on it. It stretches the arch and freezes it & helps for pain. Isn't that a great idea! I also have a splint to wear at night to keep it 90% & he wants me to get a Prism step stretcher for when I'm sitting at the computer etc.

Well, maybe by this summer I can start hiking, biking, shoppng & dancing again. :-)

P.S. Anyone with a foot fetish...I'm probably not the girl for you! HA! At least not yet!

Sunday, January 8, 2006

Holiday Highlights 2

For probably the past 20 years the Geneva Christmas Shopping Day has been a tradition. Started with my mom & an "aunt" of mine. Then I started going. Then my dad & "uncle" came along. Then my "aunt" and "uncle" moved out of state so another aunt & uncle were invited and came for a few years. I think a year or two it was just my folks & I & twice I have gone myself. Last year I didn't get to go because of my foot surgery. It is a sweet lovely tradition that I cherish.

Geneva is a wonderful little town of little shops and it is worth the trip. They are so welcoming. They all have lovely smiles & go out of their way to make your Christmas spirit blossom... punch (some Happy Punch!), little treats and great restaurants. Chianti's has been bought out & not as great now but some great memories. The Little Owl Tavern is great! That is usually lunch!

I love going to Kris Kringle Haus. They have lovely ornaments, angels, villages etc. This year I got Chocolate filled Candy Canes which were great! I'm still eating mine slowly.

The Little Traveler store is wonderful! Lots of little rooms of different types of items and the Christmas wine they have is Awesome! I also loved a sample of Martin & Weyrich Mascoto Allegro, so I had to buy a bottle...nope haven't had it yet! HA! Have to find a special occasion I guess. 

I also love a store called Cocoon
. I usually find some lovely gift in there for someone. There are so many more. It is a whole day experience! We usually start with lunch, then shop & then in the evening the officers block off the street where the court house is & they have their big decorated Christmas tree. The mayor comes to light the tree. Santa Lucia (Swedish) comes and Santa also. They have roasted chestnuts, they make custom wreaths, and many other lovely treats.  They have a live Manger scene also which is fun with animals, horse drawn carriage rides (hopefully one day I'll do that!) and the kids just make it! Watching the kids laugh & be wide eyed at the toys in windows or even playing with some is just what it is all about.

This year my big find that spoke to my heart was something called a branchelier! I didn't get it, but I hope to in the future. I love the woods & I love bringing the outdoors inside in my place. This is the decor I love for my living room & kitchen. I love nature & natural look. Being one with nature I think is the idea. Must be my Miami Indian in me!

P.S. Sorry the pix are blurry...I was cold & shaking! HA! You'll get the idea though!

Holiday Highlights #1

Here are a few highlights of my holiday....

Pix #1: OMG! This Santa was in Wal Mart. It danced (if you call it that!) and talked! I pushed the button & thought Santa was going to fall on me! Some kids in the aisle with me even were a bit frightened. We did have great laugh though.

Pix #2: I was driving around looking at house decorations & I pulled up by a church where some kids were have an awesome time projecting their shadow on the building. They would move back & make their shadows as big as the building! It was so much fun. I rolled down my window to hear their laughter & fun.

Pix #3 & #4: Some more house decorations! Fun!

The Family Stone



I saw "The Family Stone" today! All I can say is that EVERYONE should see it! It was AWESOME!

The message at the end is just so incredibly wonderful for every family to understand. It really makes one "get life." It goes along with one of my main philosphies in life that I have to keep reminding myself occasionally even - "Everything happens for a reason!" EVERYTHING! ;-) It is really hard to remember when you are struggling. It is in retrospect that you "get it."

There are interviews & a trailer here.

It is kinda like "Home for the Holidays" if you saw that. At least it reminded me of it a bit. I will definitely buy the DVD when it comes out. It really made me feel great! Ok with life in a way I guess.

If you get to see it I'd love to hear what you think.

Saturday, January 7, 2006

Who Invented Liquid Soap & Why?


I know I haven't updated you all on my holidays etc but I was browsing the stations & when I saw this listed I had to watch! :-) What memories...actually a variety of memories.

I love when the professor reads his story...

"'Do you love me?' she whispered. Thoughts raced through his mind. Did she really want him? What had he done to deserve this bounty? Does God exist? Who invented liquid soap and why?...Do You Love Me??? Do You Love Me???   No. It would not be tonight!"

Ahhhh! Ask & you will find out! But then again...I think too much! HA! ;-)

He was adorable then & still is! :-)

My what big eyes you have! My what big hands you have! ;-) Sorry couldn't find one with big teeth! HA! He rarely smiles big with teeth showing. Got to have him work on that!

I'll update you soon!
 

Sunday, January 1, 2006

Happy New Year!

Happy New Years Everyone!

Sorry I haven't been making entries too often lately. I was quite busy catching up for the holidays & then trying to actually enjoy the holiday. My spirit really needed it. I will try to catch you up on my Holiday time but just wanted to wish you all a 2006 filled with Love, Happiness, Good Health & Peace.

I hope you all had a lovely time tonight & were able to get a bit of dancing in! I say do some dancing all day today! Start the year off right! :-)


Sweet Dreams for your first night of 2006!