Me Thinks Too Much

Peepers...I Mean Twitters

2009-09-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Well everyone has been razing me about not Tweeting! Now when I was young if you were a "Twit" that as a bad thing! HA! I guess that is why they call them "Tweets" Ha! People can call me old, but I just don't see why everyone has to know everything I'm doing. I don't want them to know what I'm doing!!!! I would half jokingly say I don't want people to know I'm going to the bathroom, taking a shower or feeling hormonal and eating chocolate and shopping. (Yes, if it is at the same time...oh boy stay away! Ha!)

I remember the guys who lived in our brother residence hall would call and tell us they could see us...probably with binoculars! They would describe what we were doing, what we were wearing etc. Now I thought that was a Peeper! Of course some girls purposely kept their windows open, but many times that was to tease them, especially to make an old boyfriend jealous! HA! I know but life isn't fair! ;-) Now we have a piece of technology, that while is not a video (YET) where we tell others where we are and what we are doing. Who developed this, the former Peepers? Man they gotta be working on the video one aggressively now. Some guy who wants to track his girlfriend? Ok, so it could be the opposite way but geez talk about an obsessive mate having means now. The stalkers and pedophiles will love this. My younger siblings and students etc tell me how ridiculous I am being and that I am just getting old. Ah Ha! Right!

Apparently some women Tweeted that she is having a miscarriage! People, come on! Call me old, I don't care! I just find this totally reprehensible! And not the idea of her comments on abortion, though I don't like the indifference personally, but that is her choice and not a viewpoint I would have but...I just don't want to know things like that from strangers. I'm not a Peeper! HA! Who would want to know? Ok, so maybe you would want a mate or friend, but that is what email, texting and the phone is for. If we extend the intimate boundaries to the rest of the world, then what is left private to your close personal friends or your mate? Perhaps that is an issue? People have less and less close personal relationships. It is turning into all electronic friends. I'm sorry but there are things I would only tell my mate. This is the wonderful bond we have. The idea that you feel so close to one person you can share these things with trust. Then again, I do know friends who discuss with "the girls" things about their guys that there is no way I would. Especially the idiots who brag about their mate's masculineness and bedroom (or wherever) skills. First, it is likely not true if you are boasting, but I'll let that go. If it was, then you wonder why other women go after your mate. Come on! If I had a good thing I'm not about to tell others! He's mine! I guess people like to brag what car they have etc so mate is no different. Great just another "thing" you have or to make you feel better than someone else. Ugh! Who cares? Is it a contest? How you do you really know what you have is so much better than someone else? Mine's better, no Mine's better...????? No one critically thinks, maybe the things they do you would not like or vice versa! It is all a personal opinion, your individual preferences...he is great for you and that is wonderful but may not great for someone else.

Ok, so some say Twitter is for family and friends to know quickly. You don't have to text all of them, they can just check your twitter. Maybe, but again do I want them all to know? I would suppose if it was private ok, but if the whole world can view? I know to some extent blogs are even doing the same thing. We all know we discuss our personal lives, family, health etc. So what is the difference? There seems to be one for me. Maybe others do not think so, but perhaps it is the idea of the manner or purpose. With blogs you have a circle of people who read with context, more developed information, and many times to help others or seek advice. Again perhaps it is the particular content also of what is for a personal journal, a mate, family, friends or the whole world to know.

I just think you can't argue you have the right to your privacy against the govt, church etc for what you do in your home with your family (though I'm not saying abusing etc!) and in the bedroom and then you go and tweet "Doing it doggie style!" A celebrity, who is more likely to have many more viewers than I would, can't complain people are hounding them when they go to dinner and they Tweet where they are! You can't have it both ways! So please keep your privacy and don't peep on me! Unless I purposely have my blinds open! HA! Just kidding!

The Risk is Worth It!

2009-09-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

Well, for the first time tonight I rented a movie from one of those red box things in Wal Mart. Hey Matthew for $1! The older lady greeting everyone said she has been meaning to try it & I said Matthew will do it! HA! She laughed & we had a lovely chat. Oh she was sweet so...

I missed this movie in the theater which I can't believe because I so wanted to see it. I was waiting for it to become available to rent. I felt like Romance tonight! It was good but it turned out to be another guy who thinks he has it all figured out & he is the one who is totally clueless...well technically not...DENIAL! Ya, Ya, I know why, it is not just guys. The whole been hurt so now I won't let that happen again thing. And yes, I do understand that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And it is nice to see him finally realize closing your heart just leads to hurt and more pain, it is a good message to remind people of. Reminded me of The Ugly Truth. Same idea really. Guy who is also all macho, womanizer, never admit to having a feeling & thinking women are the complete morons & feel and think too much, when really they have just been hurt and don't want to admit, until later, it is worth risking being in love again. And think about it, in both cases the men do not take the risk, so they almost lose their love of their life. If only real life could be more like a movie and they would learn the lesson and take the risk...even when they may think it is too late.

Well then Father of the Bride 2 (remake) was on and God the hormones must have kicked in between the two movies & I was bawling and God must have been rolling his eyes at me at what I was saying to him...just like all the other guys! HA! All I know is he better know what he is doing because so far I really wonder!

Fall is Here!!!

2009-09-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well Fall is here! And nothing says fall like BOOTS!!!! YUM! Man I saw these in my Carson's email & almost died. Only problems is the heels! Can't wear those anymore. Maybe I can get them & get them reheeled a bit lower? Probably have to wait for them to go on sale. $170.00 for boots with the economy the way it is???? Not going to happen.

We had some rain last night & this morning & boy did the trees turn yellow overnight! And by afternoon, some hand significant leaf loss. Mother Nature really put on the show for today. Still need some color change but good start into the season. Tomorrow it will be 80 but after that it looks 70s & high 60s. May be the last day of 80s so I'll have to get out & enjoy it a bit.

And hey the Cubs won again...Woo Hoo!

Patrick's Sat Six!

2009-09-12T23:16:00.001-07:00

My answers to Patrick's Sat Six:

1. A friend of yours goes grocery shopping with you and goes to the meat department and buys a small pack of fresh ground chuck. You ask what she’s going to cook for dinner and she explains that the chuck is for her dog. How would you react?

Well considering the problems with some of our meat??? If it is once in a while? My vet wants my babies to eat chicken livers but they won't eat it. If the vet wants it then fine.

2. Another friend dares you to eat a dog biscuit: would you give it a try?

Hmmm? Is it homemade? Probably try that first than something commercial with all the recalls lately. Hey Tom Hanks did in Turner & Hooch! :-)

3. Vets usually recommend more expensive brands of food for pets. How much of a difference do you think there would really be between a brand you could pick up in a store or a specialty brand?

LOTS!!! Some have crap in them! Read labels! No different than some of our food! Frozen food loaded with sodium & preservatives, soups too! Eat fresh!!! And Organic!

4. Take the quiz: Who’s Happier: You or Your Pet?

We are about equal!

5. Who has more toys: your pets or you?

Hmmm right now me. I took almost all of their old toys & threw them out. Musty smell. I'm slowly buying them new ones but then again they just like the tops of hairspray bottles etc.

6. Whose bed do you think is more comfortable to sleep on, yours or your pet’s?

You are assuming it is different! They sleep with me at night & Dusty stays on my bed pretty much all day. Country sleeps in the store bought beds and he seems to like them. My mattress is old though. I want to get a select comfort!

Yes, I'm Still Alive!

2009-09-12T22:44:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Yes, I'm still alive. I know, I know, I'm not sure why I'm not posting on this blog? I don't think it is "nothing to say" so then??? We'll just have to see I guess.

Well, Summer is totally over with Labor Day Weekend gone. We are heading into our 4th week of classes. I taught 3 classes this summer & then had about 2 weeks off. I needed more! Lots going on at work. New president so that is a wait & see how things change or don't? We are going into a negotiation year so that is always fun! HA! Turmoil everywhere with the country & jobs & no different with us. We have 450 more students on campus than we normally do. We have no parking!!! They have them parking along the side streets & in the grass. Incredible. All our sections closed, and I don't know the last time that happened and this is my 14th year. Lots of students saying they rather go cheaper rather than go to a University right away. Alot of people out of jobs also going back to school.

Today was a bummer. I stopped for a red light, what I thought, and someone rear ended me. He says it was green. You know "red" and "green" is quite different? I can see him saying it was yellow & just turned or something on whether you think a driver in front of you may stop or go through but??? I don't know happend fast. I saw him in my rear view mirror & saw that he was not going to stop without hitting me so I tried to go a bit further but he still hit me. The cop said still there is no violation even stopping on a green. I said, "I know, what if I had to stop fast for an animal or a kid on a bike etc?" and he said, "Yes, I'll be having a discussion with him about safe distance to stop etc." Not too much damage on my car but enough that I am going to take it in to be fixed up. Ugh. My baby will be 2 yrs old in Dec so I am not happy about that. He had more damage small Nisson but just a bit more, no major smashing in etc. No one hurt & that is what is most important.

Been quite sad everything happening lately with our country...assumptions and so much hate going around. Pastors even saying he doesn't consider someone killing the president murder & wishing one of God's children Cancer. Ugh!!! Very sad.

Hey...did you all see the new Sean Connery Ad for Louis Vuitton? OMG!!! YUM! Now, I'm not thrilled with some of his macho attitude being nasty toward women in the past but I must say next to Pierce he is my next favorite Bond. Does he come with the bag, because I've never even thought of getting one but if that was the deal I just might! HA!

Lets see what else...my back is ?? Better. Certainly better than May but last couple of days my right hip & between my shoulder blades has been acting up. My toe is still broken, 11 weeks! I go back next Fri. He is still taping it up. He said I need to stay off it but if it doesn't hurt I'm on the go.

My cousin is due to have a baby in the next week. I saw her last weekend & she looks very good & was 1-2 cm already. I'm very excited for her & to have another member of our family & a baby around again. My one niece is 18 yrs old & the other 12 now! UGH!

The temps are going down already, we are seeing 70s for highs and the trees have been turning colors & dropping leaves already. UGH!!! I don't mind a long fall but I hope we don't have a nasty cold winter.

Well that is it for now but I'll try to post again soon.

I Can Get Married Now!

2009-07-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

I started this a while back & never finished it. So here you go with a bit added from this past week!

Oh I know, I know...I'm so bad. Incredibly busy. Well I was checking out the new Willow Trees for ideas for my b-day...yep 2 weeks ago...and I saw they had a cake topper. OMG I love it. I love the expression. So comfortable & secure and loving. That is what I would want! Maybe that is why I couldn't get married until this was made? Although the next problem is I love the bride dresses from when I was in my 20s! Ugh! I don't like many of them they make today! Do you remember the puffy shoulders & then the points that came down to you index finger. :-) The V boddess, hanging bead head pieces...ha! I don't like the strapless today at all. And NO butt bows!

You know last week I was talking to 2 of my students after class & he said "Our kids" and so then I said, "Ok, since you said that I have to ask..." Yep, they are married. Just married in May. No one could really tell in class. Seemed like they knew each other but that is about it. So then I got the story. It was soooo inspiring. They met when she was 9 yrs old! HA! Then nothing until she was graduating from 8th grade & they met again. He asked her to prom not realizing when she said she was graduating that it was from 8th grade! HA! Well, when I was 14 yrs old I had 19 yr old guys after me so....puberty came quite early! They dated a bit a few yrs later & broke up & then later met but both were married with kids. Then time past again & both were divorced. Her son was participating in Boyscouts & he was the leader. Well after 5 yrs of dating & making sure the kids were ok with it etc they are now married. They were so cute describing the journey. He would add a part & then her. I asked him, "When you met her when she as 9 yrs old did you think you would marry her?" She then smiled & said, "Ya, I'd love to know too" and he smiled & really authentically said, "Yes!" I could not believe it. He said that ya he gave up at one point & thus got married to someone else, but it was something he very much wanted. They then commented how they complement each other on their personalities, which I could definitely see. And get this, he is taking the class with her because they neither finished college and she wanted to start back up & he took it to support her. OMG that is just so wonderful. It was such a lovely, inspiring story. He is Lutheran & she is general Christian. Just something about the idea that life's journey takes you in many different directions but if you are meant to be you will eventually be together you know. We discuss that, like my brother and his divorce but if he did not get married I would not have my little niece nor they their children. God sometimes just has different plans. Maybe someday it will work out like that for me! God knows what wedding dresses will look like then! HA!

Big Ouchie!

2009-07-05T22:21:00.000-07:00

Man, this just does not seem right! I soaked my toe this morning & it just keeps hurting even frozen. Then I was watching the Cubs later and feel asleep for a few hours. Well I had been skimping on my Zs lately so I probably needed it. I was going to sleep-in this morning, but ended up just waking up. At least when I woke up I found the Cubs did not totally bomb their lead. :-) This toe though is just killing me and I'm not a happy camper right now. I did a bit of shopping & watched a ball game & had a bite to eat at the bar in Lone Star. Had them give me a regular coke and then I got a shot of rum to put it in it. I figured tall glass diluted more & they can add more coke. HA! Well the Tylenol & Motrin is not doing the trick! When I got home I soaked my "little piggy" again. Ok, so I found the rum way back in my fridge & put a bit in my cranberry juice now too. HA! I know that sounds soooo bad but you know I have bottles in the fridge for years now. I really don't drink I swear.

I have to go downtown (Chicago) tomorrow for my back treatment though but at least I don't have my night class since it ended last week. It will be nice to just come home & relax.

OMG I'm watching some kind of movie called "Evolution" with David Duchovny and Julianne Moore...HA! It is sooo pathetic but funny too. I'm going to have nightmares! HA! I use to watch Creature Features, Twilight Zone & Son of Svengoolie with my dad when I was a kid...nothing! Now...UGH! Must be some type of adapting thing...as you get older you need that guy next to you when you sleep for when you wake up with nightmares! HA! I think the guys planned all this don't you? Ha! OMG that movie so stupid! HA! But hey it kept me laughing & that takes pain away so...

Well the movie is over. I should try to get some sleep so I will be perky tomorrow. At least the Taste is over. Man Friday the trains were so crowded and loud from the Taste & everyone going to see the fireworks. Maybe I should freeze my foot again before I go to bed. See now there is another reason to have a guy...he could warm up my foot then. HA! Later!

P.S. Dan...nope no Facebook sorry! Can't seem to see the point of that or Tweeter!

Unhappy Toe!

2009-07-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I know...May 17th was my last post! Ugh! So much to update you on! First, God is having fun with me this morning! Happy Feet is on! UGHHHHH! No, I do NOT have happy feet! I have a Happy FOOT! And no it is not my foot problem from my surgery a number of years ago. That is doing good and is almost at a year mark that I have had an trouble with it (knock on wood!) 2 weeks ago yesterday I got up from a migraine I had had from the night before & decided to take a shower and get my dad some Father's Day gifts. I didn't have my contacts or glasses on & was still a bit fuzzy from the migraine and I stubbed my toe. Well you know I've broken them before and I was pretty sure I did a good job this time. I iced it, and it subsided so I got dressed and ready & headed out. OMG the first place I went I could not walk. When I got home and took my shoe off and my foot & toe, btw it is my baby toe, was all bruised and swollen. More ice! I got in that Monday & Dr. Z. said I broke it in 2 places horizontally. He taped it up & wanted to see me in a week. With my schedule I could not get in until last Fri but that was only a few days more. He took off the tape & OMG it was sooo swollen & it would be 2 weeks the next day. This is odd. Before when I have broken them it would be getting better by now. They do re-xray but he told me, ok kinda yelled, to stay off it. RIGHT! I had 3 classes & 2 I can't really stay off it because the keyboard does not move so...but one of my classes is over now. Then he told me to soak my foot in an ice bath from 40-50 degrees for 15 min 3 times a day. Ugh! I've done it 2 times so far. Yesterday I did it & then I headed home from my folks with a frozen foot & my baby toe throbbing. Ya, that is working! You know, I'll update you later but "it doesn't feel right!" I have a very strange feeling. It is actually feeling worse over time & ????? My gut instinct is just say, "Yo, something is not adding up here, there is a piece of the puzzle missing!" We'll see?!

Now this is just the beginning! Ha! I know, people much worse off than me but this is apparently not a fun time for me and I'm just not too happy my summer is going this way so far. I do have a torn rotator's cuff. We tried 12 weeks of PT & cortisone, which did make it better but the doc is recommending surgery. He said I will be coming back asking him to do it. I'm out of PT benefits so I have to wait until Dec at least & then Jan 1st my new PT benefits will kick in. So far I think I'll be able to wait. Then yes, I did start up Vax-D treatments for my back again. It is better from May but we are now doing another 5 sessions so this would be like the 4th week. So I have to walk to & from the train station to the doc (2 1/2 blocks) and then to the parking lot etc. Not great for my toe! Doesn't help I bought new gym shoes since mine were so bad they were not supporting very well, so they are not stretched out & tight with my swollen toe.

Ok, if this tells you anything...I have no flowers on my deck! I have not done anything on it! UGH! And that is one reason I feel so pissed. If this toe would just heal up & I could have some fun but it is certainly putting a damper on everything. My bros & my little niece (who is no longer little!!!) helped me walking slow etc going to watch fireworks on Fri. We had fun! My mom had cataract surgery on her other eye but not the cornea transplant & it is not going well. They may have to do the cornea transplant anyway and that then will delay her first knee replacement. She may instead have those done in AZ when they return. Then my bro, the goof, is at a friends house cutting wood & he is on the other end he says but not wearing googles...yes you probably can see this coming, he blows the sawdust which is on the other end but still manages to get it in his eye. His one friend is a paramedic so they wash it out but 6 hours later...of course he is a male!....he finally goes in. Yep, they had to get 2 other pieces out & he did scratch his cornea! What a family huh. His is healing with the meds though.

No, I'm not calling "Uncle" yet! And I'm not saying "Yet"! HA! Just have to take it moment by moment. Oh & tell Tylenol & Motrin I will be willing to be a test subject. This toe is throbbing with ice, 2 650mg of Arthritis Tylenol & 800mg of Motrin! YA! See why my gut is feeling weird! Dr. Z. said to go a week & if it is still bothering me with the ice baths he give me something else but if it just knocks me out then I don't want it. He probably does to keep me off my foot. HA! I think the ice baths are just his way to torture me 3 times a day! HA!

Well, I'm going to go & freeze my foot! Ugh! More later! I really do hope you are all having a lovely, and much better summer than I am having.

Summer is Here!

2009-05-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

Well not weather wise but graduation was today & I am now on Summer Vacation! And I would just love to do a Happy Dance but my back decided to go out a few days ago. So far it is not too bad...well just on the line. I'm not in excruciating pain all the time. I called the place I had my Vax-D treatments 2 years ago last Thurs and they are getting me in on Monday to see what is going on. Today I went to Acupuncture, helped my hip but then when I went to get off the table my back just spasmed and was pulling me down. I am able to walk slowly & I took my niece to our local semi professional baseball team's home opener tonight. They had fireworks! They lost though! I sat and enjoyed myself and got home ok etc. I just can't twist & turn and it is just really on the edge. I've been sitting too much this last week grading and probably sleeping a few nights on my couch and my folks didn't help. My bro just told me his went out sleeping on their couch! Ugh! So if it wasn't for my back I'd be dancing like crazy...that is after I get some sleep. 3 hours last night, 45 min nap before the game & I'm still up and soooo ready to crash right now. I really hope I don't have to do a month of Vax-D again.

Oh & I found out last month I do have a tear in my rotator cuff, though the radiologist & the doctor disagree on how bad. Doc says doesn't seem to bad & gave me a cortisone shot. Next day UGH!!! but then better but weak. Now it is better overall but tiny spot pain with certain activities. I can move it more freely, which I never realized before the shot I really wasn't. It was getting hard to even type before.

I am teaching a few classes over the summer but with the economy and medical bills I really need to. I'll still have Fri off and there is some overlap in sessions but a few weeks just MW evening & then later it will just be T&TH so then 4 day weekends. It won't be too bad I don't think.

Summer just goes by too fast though!!! This year it probably will especially since my older of my nieces will be heading to College...OMG!!!! I am so not ready for that!

Our weather has been horid! You'd think we were Seatle or something with all the rain we have gotten lately.

Well I can't keep my eyes open anymore, but expect some postings now that I am off! :-)

Just Keep Thinking Summer!

2009-04-15T01:06:00.000-07:00

Oh my has it been a long time since I have posted!

Yes, I'm still alive! HA!

I'm just so busy. I don't know where to begin. I'll have to catch you up over time but right now it it is a bit after 3am & I'll be heading to bed as soon as my 800mg of Motrin kicks in. I received a cortisone injection in my right shoulder today (technically yesterday). They said in about 4 hours, which should have been about 2pm, it would begin to ache. I was fine all day & thought great I'll be fine. Well, last couple 4 hours on the computer & now it begins to throb & ache. I have been having trouble with my right upper arm since Oct. It is hard to raise to turn back and it gets hard as a rock when I lift up & hurts. We tried 6 weeks of PT & it really didn't help. I had an MRI done last week. Today he said the Radiologist found a thick tear in my rotator cuff but the doc disagrees? So we will try the shot & 6 more weeks of PT & see what happens. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because it has been getting worse the last few weeks and getting hard to even work on the computer. I'm not sure it could be just over time getting old etc but I did have my arm up & hand supporting the roof of my SUV when it rolled over about 14 months ago so maybe it irritated it & now it is just pooped.

Easter was fun. My cousin came in with her family from CA so I spent time with them on Sat blessing baskets and my cousin's little girl asked me to go with them to visit the Easter Bunny so that was fun. Thursday I went up north to keep our family tradition of visiting 7 churches. My folks are in AZ for the winter & I usually do it with them. A few years I have done it with my cousins but now they are scattered & few busy so I actually did have fun myself this year. I spent Sunday with my sister & her new boyfriend who is a fireman/paramedic. He seems laid back and funny. We'll see. She seems happy and that is good. I'm kinda sad the family traditions are being lost with my generation. I really miss it.

I have about 3 more weeks after this week and then finals week! :-) Summer Vacation is on its way! I can't wait, warmer weather, birds, grilling outside...ahhhhh! And hey the Cubs have been winning so that is great! :-) Ok, more later...

Prayers Needed!

2009-02-11T01:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

I know I have not posted in quite sometime...just busy but today I need to ask for some prayers for someone who I can't really give you details about. I have been praying for him all evening and asking God to send him my Angels...if Ihave any & if they are not worn out from taking care of me.

Please pray that he keeps his courage and does not lose faith. Pray for him to find the correct words and help. Pray that his heart heals from any wrong doing by others to him. Pray that his spirit does not get so bruised that it loses faith in the good people of the world. Pray that he still feels love & support from those who know him best. Pray that when all is said & done that everything does side on in a just manner and provides more strength rather than weakens him. Pray that he finds a reason and purpose...perhaps wisdom if things have to be a struggle for a while. Pray that he feels God's spirit, the solid support & love that he is on this planet for a reason & still is needed and valued by soooo many. Pray that he gets very peaceful sleep knowing very securely in what he believes is right. (Yes, I know I'm not sleeping now obviously...soon...too worried!) Pray that if God says a door has to be closed he sees the window. Pray that he does know that God is giving this to him because he is the one to handle it. I know I struggle with this myself at times...that edited version...'I just wish God didn't think I was so strong'. :-) Pray he just remembers what is most important in life....not what everyone thinks but what he & his loved ones know him to be. Pray that if there is even an inkling of wrong doing that he is able to accept it, ask for forgiveness and move on rather than beat himself up over it. Pray if there was not any wrong doing on his part he does stay strong & secure and believes in himself.

Ok, I hope God heard all that.

The History of Today!

2009-01-20T16:01:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Sorry...shopping post coming but this has to be first! What a day! I day full of excitement, anticipation, and HOPE! I don't know how history will reflect on this day in retrospect but to think one day kids will think this is no big deal is something I look forward to.

I was upset I could not find a lot of red/white/blue shirts to wear today. I did have a blue shirt & put on my red sweater from Christmas. Got my red/silver & blue beads hanging in my car. Dangling silver star bracelet. Did my best! :-)

I saw that my high school was in D.C. that was pretty cool. I heard one broadcaster call it "A Political Woodstock but 10 times better!" Wow! HA!

Well I would love to hear what you think about today? What did you do? I was up late or very early in the morning so I'm very pooped right now. I think I will head to bed earlier (famous last words) and start tomorrow early fresh & feeling more safe for my future.

You know last night I emailed my dad. I remembered my grandpa babysitting us when we were younger. I was a teen, I think it was Reagan's Ball. My grandpa says just straight face, "I didn't get my ticket to the ball" I was laughing so much. I can't remember what my stepgrandma said but something like you didn't want to be there anyway or they probably would have food you wouldn't like or something. He was a hoot that night! One right after the other. I miss him and I wish both my sets of grandparents were here today to have seen this. Many relatives actually!

I'll tell you also, any student who does not want to do something...prepare for their future...oh boy are they going to get it! They are talking about the president using Myspace & blogs etc...how can they not want to!

My Day Off!

2009-01-20T00:16:00.000-08:00

Well I'm not this bad!

What did I do on my day off? Went to the Dentist! Ugh!

Well, normally that would not have been such a horrible thing. Oh about 3 1/2 yrs ago. Why...dad would have probably bought me lunch! HA! Did I ever tell you my dad is...ok was a dentist? He retired and so now I found one that actually remembered me as a kid. His dad made crowns for my dad's patients. He said he remembered bringing me the cases, I answered the door. Man, I'm in my 40s & this would have to be prior to 13 yrs old when we moved from that house. Remembers what street it was & everything. Probably remembered old psychotic me! HA! Maybe I met him at the door in my bikini or something! HA! We had a pool so?

Ok, so I had to get a crown prep. Ugh! It is the first one in my life. Last molar on top left. Sometime in the early 80s I was working with my dad & over lunch the Hygentist was going to clean my teeth. Well!...she stuck the scaler between the back teeth & I hit the ceiling. My dad came running. Turned out there was a cavity in between. We x-rayed & you couldn't see it because the molars will overlap causing a shadow but he drilled a bit & found the hole. Over the years it has just slowly gotten bigger with a side one developing & kinda meeting the other part & last year the filling fell out so this new guy tried to put one in, but didn't know if there was really enough tooth to keep it & sure enough few months later it came out. So, I finally got it done after my flex account kicked in Jan 1st. One great advantage with dad...payment was a kiss & I love you! :-X Free toothbrushes & toothpaste & sample sizes of tylenol etc. & my dad always saved me the new flavors of flouride when he was cleaning my teeth. He'd let me try & if I liked it he would order it for patients! HA! When we were kids he had these toothbrushes that were in the long tube & on each end was a half of a dog..you know those wiener dogs...red I remember. I loved those. HA! Then you got those red tablets that you would chew & it would show with red on your teeth where you missed brushing! HA! He always took us for rides up & down in the chair also! His patients were wonderful. They all knew us. I'll come home from college & come to his office & if he was busy with a patient one of the others waiting in the other rooms would see me go by & call out. They'd ask me if my teacher was still bugging me & how this guy was...they knew all the details! HA! Of course my dad knew about their kids too. Generations of patients. The days when it was about helping & not about making the most money & having the most toys!

Well, back to this lovely tooth of mine. I think that tooth also may have been the one that I lost half of the filling on a cheeseburger in college. Lovely cafeteria, although I should not complain, we had prime rib there & shrimp! It was sooooo good! Next day, they would put the shrimp cut up in the salad bar line, I'd just get cupsful. So my dad would not let me wait to come home & I had to see a dentist out there. First time I ever went to anyone other than my dad. Very odd. You know it is not only a dentist you have gone to all your life but "Daddy"! He won't hurt you unless he really can't help it! You trust him completely you know! So, that guy was going to give me novacaine without any choice & I'm like stop...how much do you have to drill & I'm like try first without. My dad always gave a choice. Some rather their mouths numb for hours, others rather a bit of pain & no numbing. My mom's dad you could drill for crowns and he'd be gabbing away. Didn't feel a thing. Wow! I apparently did not get those genes! HA! I didn't have my first cavity until I was 13 yrs old when I got my braces off. Under the band. I only had them on 1 yr & 8 months I think. Amazing how you will always remember how long! HA! So I had them off sometime in 7th grade I think? When my dad filled that tooth that day the scaler tortured me, it took him 3 shots of novacaine to numb it enough for him to even touch it with his finger. Today a first doc came in & shot me up. Then my dentist, Dr. B., came in & drilled away & nothing! No pain! Ahhhhh! He gave me a bit more for the inside gum when they were going to get the temporary in. I have to go back on President's Day to get the permanent one. Ya, my day's off...geez!

He asked me if I wanted porcelain or gold. I don't smile big enough to see that back molar & he said my bite is real tight so I could crack it. Dad says go with the gold. I figured the man who has his tongue in me, if he has a problem with it not looking natural, then he can just look at the other "natural" parts of me & see it is not all that great anyways! HA! Now, I also have to explain that typically when they numb me for cortisone shots it doesn't really work. After I leave the doctors office then it is numb. Ugh. So I was soooo thrilled. I was there about 2 hours with him drilling & then building it up. The numb face was starting to go away & then an hour after I left it started to throb. I'm like oh boy I have to teach tomorrow. 800 mg of Motrin, Extra Strength Tylenol & shopping cured that! HA! I swear when you don't concentrate on it it helps. Kohls had a sale, what do you want! HA! Now it is not throbbing but sore & can't really bite on it. I can't eat nuts or gum etc now until Feb. Ugh! But I'll have it in before I head up north for a presentation I'm doing at a college I use to teach at, so that will be good. I can enjoy going out to dinner with everyone etc.

Ok, so I guess it wasn't too bad of a day, except I wish I could have just putzed around at home & got things done, but that is why we get "Tomorrow". Next post I'll tell you what I got shopping! :-)

Oh also...I forgot to tell you...when they were measuring to do the impressions, I said, I know I have a big mouth & she said actually your mouth is small. I was shocked! HA! I said can I get that in writing for my coworkers, friends & family for proof! She laughed. I said that to my neurologist I see for my migraines when she said my brain was normal. I must just project well or just talk fast! HA!

Heart Dreams

2009-01-17T23:25:00.000-08:00

Oh boy now I'm in trouble!

Music can do that though. Now I'm off dreaming, feeling, thinking ugh! I remember in college I'd go to sleep...well to bed...and put my headphones on to listen to music & most nights I'd fall asleep but then other nights I'd be like "oh I love that song" and then another would come on & then another...ha! BTW this is one of my favorite Kim Anderson pictures. I see myself in it I guess. Seems like my spirit. I also love hats! HA! My mom & I would go shopping & try on all the hats & be silly & laugh & have soooo much fun. I really miss doing that. Maybe we can this summer. I bought her this HUGE brimmed summer hat for Christmas. I put it behind her Stocking and in the morning you know you are waiting for everyone to get up & open presents & I asked her if everyone was coming & she said I don't know but they better because I WANT THAT HAT! HA! I was hoping she would love it but then also if she didn't it would be mine! HA! No, there was only one! Got it at World Market & guess what...it was only $3! I swear! I'll try to get a picture of it. I have a bunch of big hats, some winter & some summer. I need to find a long black coat so I can wear my winter ones & I think I will make this summer hat season! I missed my era I guess. I would have loved when all the women wore hats!

This next one is the only copy I can find. It is called "I know how to win a heart" :-) Ya, flowers would do it for me too...though I don't like red rosees. I like pink though. He is cute I think. I like 2 other types of flowers though more...Peonies & Lilacs.

This one I really love! I just found a big picture of at a resale shop & bought it. Have to still hang it in my bedroom. Ok, off to dream some more...

Later...HA!

2009-01-17T22:44:00.000-08:00

Well that was fast...Ha!

My brother was helping me with something on the computer & put up his ITunes to play some songs for me by David Archuleta. After I posted that last post To Be With You came on & I really liked it. Have you heard it? I just seem to connect to it. Here is the lyrics:

I've been alone so many nights now,
And I've been waitin' for the stars to fall.
I keep holdin' out for what I don't know
To be with you, just to be with you.

So here I am staring at the moon tonight,
Wondering how you look in this light.
Maybe you're somewhere thinkin' about me too.
To be with you, there's nothing I wouldn't do.

And I can't imagine two worlds spinnin' apart
Come together eventually

And when we finally meet, I'll know it's right.
I'll be at the end of my restless road.
But this journey, it was worth the fight.
To be with you, just to be...

Holding you for the very first time, never letting go.
What I wouldn't give to feel that way... Ooohh...

Oh, to be with you...

Oh, and I can't imagine two worlds spinnin' apart
Come together eventually.

And when you're standin' here in front of me,
That's when I know that God does exist.
'Cause He will have answered every single prayer.
To be with you, just to be with you, yeah. You....

Mall Cop

2009-01-17T22:34:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Up north with my niece. We were suppose to go see the Dog Hotel movie but she changed her mind & wanted to see Mall Cop. Thank God we got tickets early & the line was still so long to wait to get in the show. The movie was really good. I like Kevin James so I didn't mind very much. I liked him in Hitch also! He is cute in King of Queens too. I just think he is adorable. I know guys probably don't like us calling them that but we just don't tell them! HA! He is funny & sweet & just I don't know but I know I'd go out with him if he was available. Ha! Sweet smile, very penetrating eyes, ya...Sexy! Seems like he'd be very loyal and protective too. Ya, I know next week's headline will say he cheated on his girl, and swindled some elderly people. Ha! No, just kidding! Everyone in the theater seemed to like the movie. They were clapping at the end.

They showed the Harry Potter preview. I'm soooo excited. I like want to go at the midnight showing this time. HA! Oh man, I can't wait for Summer, actually I'd just take Spring now! It is 19 degrees now! WOW!

Went to acupuncture today. I was soooo relaxed. She worked on my lower back. It was doing pretty good & kinda bothering me a bit tonight. Seems like my SI joints & then sides of legs & hips...same old story, but hopefully it will get better. Probably doesn't like the treadmilling but just going to keep trying.

Well that is it for now...more later!

Mid January...

2009-01-16T22:15:00.001-08:00

Ugh...didn't I say I was going to post more often? Well.... Well, the New Year is really something! My mom & dad got back to AZ & the next day my mom had to go by Ambulance to the ER. She is doing great now. She came home a few days ago. She had really low potassium & her electrolytes were low...dehydrated...ugh! They have her back to her normal crazy self! HA!

Classes started this past Monday and what a wild week. Last two days so many schools were off with the freezing temps but not us! Ugh! OMG it is 0 right now! Amazing! Were having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave! HA!

I went to see "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith. Have you seen it? OMG...it is one of the must sees in your lifetime. Slow & a bit in the dark at the beginning but you better have a box of kleenex by the end. The men were bawling!

I had a really difficult time finding calendars this year. I don't know, calendars to me are like finding your creative spirit for the year. I finally settled on Maxine, 2 different ones for different rooms & then a Snoopy/Charlie Brown Love one for work & a page a day one with my Cat a day one. I'm waiting for the engagement calendar to go on sale, Maxine that is. I'm not totally happy but I guess I'm feeling I'm letting the calendars come to me & suggest what I need for the year. I think about it & it is Humor & Love. Hmmm...that actually sound really good. And they should go together.

I'm doing pretty good trying to get healthier. This back & foot just doesn't make it easy. Treadmilled 3 days last week each for an hour & this week I think I got in 2 so far. Was on my Total Gym doing some squats last week but didn't this week. My back acted up yesterday...opposite hip started to feel like when I herniated my discs almost 2 yrs ago. Today better but from time to time the top of my foot & around my ankle is feeling numb & tinglingquite a bit. Ugh. I go to Acupuncture tomorrow so maybe that will help. I did go Monday. Got my hair down today so that always helps. It is finally starting to grow. I hate when the stylist don't listen to you & do what they want. I like the cut now but it just needs to be much longer. She keeps saying "Oh but the ends are soooo great now & it will grow!" Ya defense mechanism for making me not hate what she did. Ugh!

Doing pretty good last two weeks avoiding carbs & sugar. Just have to get back to how much I was exercising before my injuries really. Something about working out that much that you just can't then ruin it with a soda or chips or something. :-)

I saw Bedtime Stories also & that was cute. I just saw previews for New In Town (click) . I like Harry Connick Jr. so I'll probably go see it because of him. I think we are going to see the Dog Hotel one with my niece tomorrow.

Didn't get a lot of sleep last night so this will be short. Well short for me! HA! Can't wait for Spring! My folks said it was 70 in AZ today! Oh man! More later...

Hope You Win!

2009-01-09T10:07:00.001-08:00

I like this house, though I wish it had a wrap around porch & turret.

Young Love

2009-01-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

Ok, now here you go...the other end of the age bracket!

A 5 & 7 yr old fall in love & elope to get married. They brought a sister to witness it even! I swear it is the ends of the age bracket that gets what love is the most! HA! I hope they interview them. I'd love to know how this all came about! HA! I wonder if he got down on his knee & proposed? I remember my baby brother was engaged to the sister of my friend when he was about 5 yrs old. He had given her 3 engagement rings. Remember those birthstone rings? One day he is crying because my folks would not let him go to the mall with them. Finally, they asked him why he wanted to go & he said he had to get his tuxedo for his wedding! HA! He is still romantic....but he is a putz too. HA

The Best Gift!

2009-01-01T23:52:00.000-08:00

Credit: Kissing The Afternoon Away / Venice, Italy - Peter Baker Photography

Hi Everyone!

I know, I know I haven't posted anything in so long. I'm sorry...just busy with work & life. I was going to come on here & post about 2009 making a better effort later this weekend when I found this news article & I just had to post it. :-)

I was just joking with my mom & brother that I'll just have to wait until I'm a senior citizen maybe to find Mr. Right or something to that effect...and then I found this article right after! HA! Love is so wonderful isn't! God I hope I'm like the couple in this picture later still living life for the RIGHT REASON! ;-) Amour! Kissing...nothing better!

And I do agree! So much can be told in kiss. Although I can't say I have had too many really bad kisses in my life. A sweet slow loving one or the passionate type...can't go wrong. Ok, maybe in the day of braces there may have been some trouble. HA! Then again, I really don't kiss someone unless I feel a great deal for them. They have to make me feel very safe and comfortable for me to kiss them. To me it is a very intimate thing. I know not everyone these days thinks that but I'm just goofy I guess. Well, I'll be posting more this weekend about the holidays & I'll try to make a better effort with the new year.

She's The One!

2008-11-24T23:50:00.001-08:00

My Cousin email this passage below. One of those forward to a million people or you will have locust tomorrow emails. HA! I do like this though! It reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding where she says she was "Frump (sp/?) Girl" and he says he doesn't remember "Frump Girl" but he does remember her....sooooo sweet. Yes the "What Not To Wear" people would just go nuts with her but the idea is what he sees. Sometimes I think all the glitz can be a problem. If that is what is important to you then what do you really value you know. I mean eventually that make-up does come off, the hair is totally wild in the morning, especially...ok just use your imagination...and one just is not always their best selves every moment.

Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will stay awake just to watch you sleep. Wait for the guy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, Wait for the one who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you. Wait for the one who turns to his friends and says,".....that's her."

Ok, so "hot" can be good sometimes too but I think you get the idea! I think this equally goes for how a woman thinks of a man as well...to be proud of them etc I LOVE holding hands!!!! And if he does in public...major heart points. So what else would you add to this? Oh & tonight on Boston Legal...Jerry tells Katie she is the most intelligent & Beautiful women he has ever met! So wonderful. And Carl saying he wants Shirley to be with him the rest of his life...so wonderful. Ha...I have One Fine Day on now & George Clooney's character is telling Michelle Pfieffer's character she is the most beautiful women he has ever seen in his life.

Ok, so the question is do you express to your significant other in this way still? Hmmm? I love when I see elderly men still talking about their wives like this.

My Choice

2008-10-31T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hi...Well this is quite strange blogging here now. Not that I haven't used blogger before but just for my AOL thoughts it seems strange. AOL has an item again on wedding rings & what they say about you. But they do not include many other shapes like Pear & Heart. If I had a choice, and a prince who wanted to give me one ha...I would love the heart shape. I know dripping romantic but that is me! Doesn't have to be huge or really any particular size. And quite frankly it is just a symbol and not something that I NEED to have for someone to tell me how much they love me & are devoted to me nor for me to tell them.

I also like unusual or maybe just unique is the idea wedding bands. Isn't this one cool!

And look at this one...I didn't know what this meant until just now! 'Mo Anam Cara' translates into English as 'My Soul Mate'. Pronounced, 'Muh Onum Kara'. Oh boy do I love that idea! I love looking at other cultures.

What do you think?

FYI

2008-10-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I am in the middle of finals (ugh should be midterm...you can see how I wasn't doing good!) week & yesterday my Uncle Ken passed away very suddenly. He went in the ER Monday, they said Pneumonia & he was gone the next day. He was just at my folks house on Fri. I still can't believe it. My heart aches sooooooooooo bad right now & I have to get my midterms done now sooner since I will be heading up north for the services Thurs evening & funeral Fri morning.

I do plan on moving my journal. I may start to work on it next week. I haven't been really keeping up on alerts except for those that pop up & say you moved. I clicked on them & bookmarked them for later. I'll let you know when I move.

I'd really appreciate any prayers you can offer for his family & all of us. I really still needed him in my life. Now I only have my great uncle (Godfather) to bug me about when I'm going to get married! :-(

Moving!

2008-09-30T22:23:00.000-07:00

What the H! I just read my email about J-Land disappearing. What is going on? I guess all those big Ads did not work huh! Blogging is at an all time high & they get rid of this feature. What is that all about. Who is working for this company. That is it, now I have to move everything & that was the only reason I kept my AOL browser & actually paid to have the help services. Well they are going to lose my monthly bucks now! It is going to take me forever to move everything over? I'm not totally clear reading various blogs if we have to move each one separately or they are going to find a way to do it nice for us? I guess I'll start on it this weekend? It is going to be getting nippy outside now so I suppose this will give me something to do while I wait for exams to get done.

I'm soooo sad my cozy home is going away. It feels like everyone is just leaving the center circle & going in all kinds of directions. Please let me know where you will move to so I can bookmark you. Well at least I won't have to see the cheezy tabloid news stories they have on their homepage. Have you been noticing that lately? Geez! Worse & Worse. Then it is so slow they just reword something for the same story.

Well, I'm not sure if I'll go to blogger or see if there is someplace else better? I would love more creativity? I hope my screenname is free somewhere to use? Well as Pooh says..."Oh Bother!"

Revoke His Butt!

2008-09-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

OMG!!!! I want heads! This is just pathetic! Did you see Lovely Mr. Edwards gets off going 120mph! No not the political one! Star struck my butt! That officer should be fired! If he does not value everyone else's lives on the road then he is not in the right profession. What part of TO SERVE & PROTECT does he even understand because to me he does not understand it at all! Who is he serving & protecting? Edwards and maybe his own butt. What if an accident happened after that & someone was injured or killed? Right! And Edwards...that man's license should be revoked. And if he makes decisions like that then what other types of decisions is he making poorly! He should not be allowed to be a father...did he have a kid in the car? They don't say....and sure there was a sick person! His wife or girlfriend better have the baby coming out of her...I want to see a head & even then 120 is stupid he should have pulled over & called an ambulance! The man should be drained of all his Testosterone! And any woman who would go out with a moron like that should have everything revoked & denied also! Where are we on this living on MARS idea...lets put them all on there...or they can have our dying planet & we'll take a new one.

And where is the NFL on all this stupidity? Apparently they also have a Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Just like Steroids! They should have a code of conduct that the players have to represent even off the field. Heck if some HS & Colleges have it & they should all have it. They should be the examples of what to do. You get paid that kind of money you better prove you deserve it. Even then I would argue the salaries...it should be the awesome officers, firemen & teachers getting higher salaries. Especially all those who had to deal with this train wreck this weekend. That had to be soooo difficult on their hearts. If we didn't have people to do this man...no we have to have goofy men jacked up on Testosterone tackling each other and flashing their bling in our faces and acting like morons...that is more important right? Don't get me wrong I love football but not what it has become! I wonder if tickets or court on this ticket is a public record. I'd love to write a lovely email to that officer. Yes, I'm furious! I hope all the other good officers on his dept really give it to him.

And if we have zero tolerance on alcohol & drugs etc then there should be a line on this too. Take his car away just like they do for drugs. This is way over the top.

Ouch!

2008-09-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Talked to Dr. Z. a bit ago. My toe/foot is hurting worse this week than last. I thought well maybe it gets worse before it gets better. He once told me that as it heals it will hurt. He said there are 4 nerves in the toe so if it is swollen it may hurt more. Told me to get off my foot & ice it! It doesn't seem swollen but...so YES it is on ice now! Still hurts. This is with ES Tylenol. We'll see how it is next week. Guess no big shopping this weekend. HA! Didn't really plan to anyway.

I'm pooped though. I laid down for about 25 min & he had called so...gotta figure out something for dinner. I wanted to see Swing Vote but I don't see it anywhere near. Did it not do well? When did it come out? Anyone see it? I bought a John Cusak movie I wanted to see & apparently either it too did not do well & was out of the theaters quick or somehow I missed it. It is called Grace is Gone. Anyone seen that one? It says "Performance of his Career" on it? 2 Golden Globe Award Nominations? I like him so much. I think he has a lot of potential. He is adorable....and HOT! ;-) So I should figure out something to eat & then sit down & relax & watch this.

I'm heading up north sometime this weekend to spend some time with my little niece. I miss her soooooooooo much. Can't wait to hear all about her new school and the cute boys...omg...she is boy crazy! My classroom has been at 75 degrees now & they have norm to 76 so? Still a bit warm for me but not as bad at least. Today no migraine at least. Sometimes once I get them it lingers for a few days on & off so...

Now my toe is frozen! HA! I saw my ex yesterday & didn't talk to him directly but he was near & teased me a bit. I figured that is a good sign when a guy teases you right...well that he doesn't have like a vodoo doll of me right! HA! We are getting drenched here & I think more will come as that Hurricane goes through TX...OMG have you seen that size of that thing? WOW! Crazy! Ok, gotta go for now...more later...

Not Too Bad

2008-09-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Well it wasn't too bad. He didn't see too much with my toe on the x-ray at first (quick!) look but thinks I have a compression (stress) fracture on the foot where my toe meets my foot...or just under that...the spot I said it hurt. He taped up my toe and my top part of my foot. He could not believe my orthoped for my knee wanted to tape the two toes together. I told him I told the doc but he wouldn't believe me. I said write him a letter. He asked who it was. Great he is going to love me now...ha!

Dr. Z. made fun of me...I think he always tries to...what is it with men & teasing! HA! He asked me if I was Italian...I didn't know why at first. I said "whacked" my toe. Oh like Italians are the only ones that uses that word. I'm American Indian...they whack scalps..ha! Then later when I said my toe looked "icky" until Sun he told the nurse to put "icky" down on the file. I wanted to just kill him. He is like well your a prof you'd think your vocabulary would be higher. I said well I'm not teaching kindergarteners and saying "potty" at least. HA! Got to go back in 2 weeks. He told me I could use the ES Tylenol & the topical Ketoprophen but not to overdue it that the pain is telling me something...stay off. Right! I treadmilled an hour Sun. It wasn't making me limp or anything so. He told me I could wear a sandal, ya as it is getting cooler & my gym shoes were fine.

Well....later I'm walking "OUCH!" I called & left him a message that it hurts more now than it did and to tell him "Ouch" or Oueee (how do you spell that?) and ask him if that is a high enough vocabulary word...saying he would know what that means! HA! Ya, sure he says "compression" and I'm like wait slow down & explain in everyday terms...stress fracture..ok, that I know. Sometimes people can have too high vocab. I'm reading my text now & they occasionally have words I'm looking up & I know my students will not know. Heck, we have students not at the college level reading so...you have to just make it plain & simply. Like when I talk about Reliability I say, "What does it mean to have a Reliable friend?" Then for Validity, "What does it mean when someone says, That is a valid point/statement?" Then you put it back in research context. Of course I do have an 11 yr old niece around that I'm talking to so...besides talking like that "Icky" etc just makes it seem less severe to me I guess. He is such a putz! HA! But he takes care of me sooo I gotta give him that credit & to some extent isn't that true of all men! HA! Oh well most you know. Not the psychos out there...ha!

Well it is hurting now through my Tylenol...ugh. I'm still getting migraines pretty much everyday for part of the day? It was 75 in my classroom today. Not too bad with small classes but with 40+ students & there body heat crammed in like sardines...not as good. It is starting to go away now I think? I didn't sleep much last night? Maybe 3-4 hours? Hopefully tonight I will better.

Well...more later...

I'm a Finalist!

2008-09-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am a finalist in this week's Caption of the Week (Click)! (I don't know why AOL is not having this underlined when it publishes. It is when I'm in edit mode?)

Mine is the "Backyard" one, but just vote for who you like the best...that is the fun!

Yep my kitties have a new DVD with nature & fishies etc. It also autoplays! YA! Ducks are quacking now...do you think that is symbolic for anything right now? HA!

Besides Being A Tigger...

2008-09-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I just did that Youniverse thing that is going around...here is my results...

I can't get the widget to work but when I do I'll upload the pic!

Moods:

Your romantic in your outlook with a bit of taste for the exotic. You love feeling the sea breeze in your hair, sun on your skin...You always take the first dip. When it comes to art you appreciate precision and hard work. Nothing is more impressive than real craftsmanship. Your a discerning music listener - romantic and passionate. You love the buzz you feel from watching a live performance - there's no better escape.

Fun:

You love to be far away from your everday life. There is nothing like catching some rays and slowing down - you know how to take things nice and easy! For kicks, you'll always opt for the chance to broaden your horizons. You love the inspiration that exploring new cultures brings. When it comes to holidays, you reckon they should always be indulgent - a very special treat and chance to recharge your batteries in luxurious surroundings, as well as spending quality time with family and friends. And what turns you off? People who seem to be smart, until they light up and you realize they are stupid enough to be heading for an early grave.

Habits:

You appreciate the simplicities of nature and the beauty of the world around you. Its important to slow down and retreat from the frenzy of life. When it comes to drinking you have a taste for the exotic. Your always up for trying the local tipple when your on holiday, its all about fuellng the fun. As for the home, you have an expressive personality. You like your surrondings to be simple and comfortable - with a real romantic feel.

Social:

You don't like to take things too seriously. For you, friendship is all about enjoying yourself and seeing the funny side of life. When you think of freedom - the great outdoors springs to mind. Getting back to nature is a big draw. Its the perfect place to find peace and quiet! (YES!)

I think this is pretty accurate. I do like seriousness & committment in friendship also but I love that I can be silly with a true friend. If I've been silly with you, then you have made me feel safe to do so & I hope I have done the same for you. I love the woods & the beach & I've mentioned that before. I love the Turn off on stupid people...does that not describe perfectly the idiot I talked about on the road the other day! OMG! Too funny! Yep that is perfect too. I'd say my Pina Colada's are exotic! ;-) Hard on some pictures I might have had some ties but it did describe this pisces girl pretty well.

Update...

Update...I'm filling out the rest & for how my mind works it says I'm a Voyager!

You seek new challenges everyday. You are easily bored so you need constant stimulation & momentum in your life!

Dating:

Well, aren't you just full of surprises! When you are in love you tend to come over super playful. You're always having cute ideas for brightening your lover's day. Nothing makes you happier. But is that a smidgen of shyness we've detected? Perhaps you should come out and say things face to face rather than behind sweet gestures. Hmmm not sure on that last part.

Love:

Good Lord it says I'm a "Love Magnet" Oh really...then where is he??? Mr. Right must be invisible! HA! Now this is not so true...says I fall in love easily & feet first & Iwould disagree! I do love romantic frolics! Says to make sure just not physical...this must be wrong because I definitely know that...not that I will let that die though! Ha! It does say I can't help being a passionate person that it makes me feel alive. That is definitely true. I am passionate about everything or I don't do it.

Holiday:

Nature lover...basically the tingle effect it says, a buzz...oh ya!

Well Being:

Says I prefer wholistic things...which is true when I can do it. Yes, just took my ES Tylenol for my toe & head! HA!

BTW...I'm a Tigger

2008-09-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

As I am watching The Last Lecture it made me smile, many times, but that YEP I've always been a Tigger! I loved Tigger as a kid even & remember a key chain of him I actually had. I need to get one as a reminder each day. I feel like a Tigger most of the time & that is why I get frustrated when I'm injured & hate being sick because it prevents me from bouncing! No, not as bad as say ADHD though maybe at times my ideas are so fast I lose the one which I'm thinking or talking about next but I'd still rather have it that way than the opposite. There are too many Eyeore in the world. No, I appreciate everyone & sometimes it is not their wanting...like when my docs tell me I have to sit on my butt...no wonder it is spreading...ha...but it is when the Eyeore is chosen & when they want me not to be a Tigger that I have a HUGE problem! In fact, I remember someone not too long ago saying that I was "exhausting" and I remember smiling, trying to not but and thinking that says more to me about you than me. They meant it as I should slow down just for them or that it was wrong etc but sorry I didn't take it that way. Perhaps you miss getting some people then & you have to slow down a bit to get them to speed up a bit...that I know...but I hope I never lose my Tigger in me! Maybe that is why it is hard to find a guy...not enough Tiggers? Maybe not one that bounces more than me & motivates me & inspires me? Or one near that we can do that for each other? Hmmm?

I started this think about where this started because I remember always being like this & I thought about these baby bouncers! Remember them? I'm not sure when they first came out, if they would have been around when I was a kid but boy what a great simulator trainer! HA! If they were out no wonder I love riding roller coasters. Ha! Ok, well I need to get bouncing...ha! Later!

PBS: Randy Pausch

2008-09-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to remind you sooner but Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture is playing on PBS now. Started at 10am! It will be also repeated on Sept 9th at 11:30 & then Sept 14th at 4:30am & 6:30am. Perhaps you can put a tape in or DVR it.

It was perfect timing as I just was assigning it & the Diane Sawyer show of him in my classes. You can also watch both on this link above!

I also highly recommend his book! There is more in there than just what is in the The Last Lecture. I donated 2 to our school's library in fact.

Unfortunately, Dr. Pausch passed away July 25th after battling Pancreatic Cancer so heroicly in my opinion. We need more spirits like him in the world! Lets hope his 3 children will have his spirit in him for our next generations!

Gustav Visited!

2008-09-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well Gustav paid us a visit yesterday! UGH!!! I had to drive up to my knee doc...1 1/2 hours! And people are just crazy! I know like I didn't know that but...I go in the left lane to pass someone & I'm not doing the speed limit even because of the rain...probably 10 under! There is no one behind & then I see this car coming from way back & all of a sudden he is on my butt. Must have been going 90 or more! I'm 1/2 way passed the car & he can't wait! So he goes in the right lane on that guys bumper. I'm like HELLO? How is that going to help? That guy was sooo upset or scared he goes 1/2 on the shoulder & do you know this guy went right between us over the white dashed lines! OMG!!!! You better believe I called the state cops with his plate. They are use to me by now Ha...but seriously they need to stop him & find out what the H. he is doing! He will kill someone!

The way back home was over 2 hours! Of course more rush hour time but we were stopped sitting for a while. I was exhausted when I got back & took a nap! Probably skimping on sleep at night. I did last night too so I'm getting tired a bit now.

Well the doc & I talked & he said 6 weeks but to let him know. It is really up to me. I'll know when I can't take it anymore. If it is killing more & preventing me from doing what I want then I'll call him & he knows it. I told him my bro just had his Meniscus surgery and that it was folded over. He said a lady there was just nagging & nagging & MRI didn't show anything conclusively. Sure enough nice tear that didn't show on the MRI.

Well, then as I was driving up I was like hmmm this baby toe that I stubbed in the morning...I know, I know...is pulsating. It is the other toe from the one a broke in 2 places like a year ago. I was fine teaching but then adrenaline kicks in. I thought I better look at it at the docs. I took my shoe off...OMG...it is so big & red & blue. (Shakes Head!) It hurts on the top portion (tip) but then also right where it meets my foot. It hurt hitting it but you know just like anyone else I swore and held on to something as the pain subsided & then I went on. HA! This doc was telling me the old way of tapping toes together but I toldhim my podiatrist that did my foot surgery disagrees and says that you can pull the fracture apart that way. He was not too happy with me. What is with docs & their big egos! God forbid they should be wrong & a patient right! I told him I would call my foot doc. I go in Monday! Ugh! I'll just laugh if it is broken. Can't seem to start a term off without a problem! HA! I'll let you know. I iced it when I got home, took some ES Tylenol & then took my nap. I might do that now in fact. I'm pooped. I do wear my shoes most of the time but this was the morning & I was getting ready & it isn't like you can put your shoes on before you are dressed now can you! HA! I also like going barefoot. My mom did it to me...she is always like that.

Gustav has also cooled us down! We had 90 on Monday & it is 65 now! Was yesterday also! The trees are beginning to turn colors also! I asked my students if they are watching & they had not noticed! Ugh! Their heads are in their phones texting & IPods! The creek by me was overflowing some & the geese are out everywhere drinking & taking baths! HA! Had to get my raincoat out!

Well I need to decide on what I'm going to do for dinner...more later....

The Man Still Has It! ;-)

2008-09-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Oh baby!

I have been waiting for this movie since spring! Sept 26th...tick, tick! Have you seen the previews? Click here to watch a long trailer! That man just gets better & better! YUM! Ok, he & Pierce are a tie! ;-)

Do you not just love that house on the beach? Oh to walk along the beach ever day would be just so wonderful. Pick up shells, listen to the seagulls and waves of the ocean! I wish! I love the woods but I'd like to either live some time of my life on the beach or have a 2nd place, even small maybe one day. If someone would just not keep screwing up our economy!!! No, I won't get political & ruin my dream of Richard! HA!

Oh that smile of his...ahhhhh! Ok, let me know if you go see it & if you like it!

Happy Labor Day!

2008-09-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a lovely day. HOT here! YIPES! Tomorrow will be in the 90s again but then we are going to have a high of 65 in a few days! Wow!

I had a lovely time at a Festival I've been going to for about 30 yrs now. OMG I can't believe I said that! Geez I feel old now! They have crafts and rides & food. Lovely! I just got a few things. A cool fanny pack in these geometric shapes mostly brown & blacks, got a DVD & CD for my babies. Yep...I've had one with Birdies now for about 18 yrs with Dusty. They chase after the birds on the tv & quite frankly it helps me to listen to the birds, especially in the winter it makes it feel spring in here. I want to get one of those thermometers that tells the outside temp & has a speaker with the outside birds. Well this new video has birds, but fish and other things so I'm excited to show it to them tomorrow. The CD has soft music with birds etc on in the background. Sounded nice, we'll see. I'll probably like it more than them Ha! I got some corn & a lemon shake-up, figured the last for the summer.

I also got this sign for Halloween. It has a witch sitting at a table with a yellow moon behind her and kitties walking up in a line. One kitty is on the chair with his front paws on the table & it says "Paw Readings...Black Cats Welcome" Isn't that just cute. I never saw something like that so I had to get it! :-) That is it! I saw some other nice things but that is all I really wanted. I got a sun burn. Well, my bro was bring the sunscreen so he didn't get there right away & then I missed some spots. Didn't have a nice guy to put it on. He was busy with my niece riding the rides & playing games. My niece won a goldfish which she named Nemo & won a teddy bear & a red dog. Got her face painted...fun was had by all! My sis came too & we shopped a bit. We headed to a restaurant my niece wanted to go to for dinner. I had a heat migraine by then but a few meds, ice tea & some dinner & it was getting better.

I then went to my cousin's to pick up a video & ended up staying 2 hours! OMG! But it was lovely talking with them, especially her husband. He is not the rough exterior one sees...he is very sweet! My cousins husbands are always teasing me & pushing my buttons but tonight he gave me some very sweet compliments that meant so much to me. He was quite supportive of me & I had no idea he thought that way of me. Wow!

Well, I still have a headache a bit. I took a shower to get the day's sticky sun off me and cool down. I'm going to head to bed & hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. I do hope my classroom is not hot or I'll be in trouble. Let you know!

Spencer Tracey Marathon

2008-08-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

I'm working on school stuff & I'm thrilled TCM has Spencer Tracey movies on! I missed some durng the day I guess. Some I have never seen. First I caught part of Father's Little Dividend, then I never saw Man's Castle with Loretta Young. They said she also was an item with him, apparently before Katherine Hepburn. The two of them realized it was no good with him being married. Apparently, he & Katherine didn't??? I know times were different but...I mean he was married & a devote Catholic...but he is with these ladies? We get all on our politicians like this is a new thing? I'm not excusing it, just that it is not something new. Loretta apparently said later in life Spencer was her one great love. Boy, he must have been something. I know he was not perfect because Katherine even talked to Jane Fonda about it when her dad was not kind to her during On Golden Pond.

Well now the Fury is on and then The Seventh Cross. I haven't seen either. I like Deskset & Adam's Rib which is what the picture above is from. Laws of Attraction with Pierce was a remake pretty much. Women of the Year is pretty good too. I know those are just all the romantic ones. I LOVE Guess Whose Coming to Dinner! His speech at the end...WOW! I bet my students have not seen it. Have to put that on their extra credit list!

Ok, back to work and watching!

Rethinking Cloning!

2008-08-31T18:16:00.000-07:00

As I'm trying to stop crying...sorry...family what can you do...it just came into my mind & made me laugh...I'd be in favor of cloning if we were going to clone Pierce! ;-) Maybe I can have one then...like that goofy movie Multiplicity...plenty to go around. Who would you clone? No, there are a lot of other lovely men out there but I'm sure they would love to clone some lovely thing so they can't complain here! Ha! Man...maybe I should move to Ireland & find me a lad like Pierce??? Hmmmm? ;-)

Mama Mia Therapy!

2008-08-31T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Well, last week was a week of hot classrooms & migraines & then something in my family happened that has made me...sad, disappointed and my heart aches so bad. I talked to my ex about it & he agreed with me & that made me feel like I was not being stupid which made me feel much better. I then tried to escape it for a bit...knowing it would be there later...and went to see Mama Mia! finally. I had tried to get my 3 female cousins & our moms & my sis to go together to have fun but a few didn't want to & then the others pooped out on me. I tell you people life is short you gotta make time for fun & grab the opportunities when you can! So I just said too bad I'm going alone! I love going to movies. They energize my spirit. I thought with somewhat the theme it might be a problem but it wasn't. It actually helped I think in more ways than I thought.

So who has seen it? I really LOVED it! I know some are thinking it is goofy etc but I didn't. My sis emails me & says I couldn't get over them just breaking out into song? HELLO?! What the heck was GREASE & man all the musicals we grew up with. It is like people who have to separte their food I guess. HA! Don't you every just break out in song singing? If not...you need to have more fun in life I think! HA! Perhaps it was that a bit...brings you back to the time period when we did have musicals. BTW...I saw that Grease is coming back to the theaters I think Sept 13 & 14! Have to go see that on the IMAX if it is there?

I loved the scene with Meryl jumping on the bed! OMG! She is older than me. I'd probably bang my head. I can just imagine explaining that to the ER docs! They wouldn't believe me. My family would though! Ha! I'll have to jump on my bed next week...just a bit!

I already went & bought the CD. I don't care if people think it is goofy, I like the ABBA songs! I remember them & they do make me dance & that is awesome for my spirit. I've already been dancing today so those viewing me on the hidden cameras in my place you may want to tune out for a while...HA! To dance freely from your spirit...that is sooo good for your spirit! And throughout the movie it was fun like down the banister...that is what life is about!

I also love the idea of how friendship is sooo much fun! There is nothing like being goofy with your friends! You feel safe to be yourself, to cry to be stupid everything!

Ok, should I get to the real reason why I went to see it? PIERCE! HA! YUM!!!! OMG that man is just so incredibly hot! Now see why can't he be in my dreams! HA! We should be able to pick who we want! HA! Then at the end they get all wet & he is in a white shirt...wow...then he takes it off! OMGGGGG!!! I felt guilty & wanted to go pay more. Didn't feel guilty over having a dirty mind at all though! HA! Which I will forewarn you, pick your seats wisely...surrounded by senior citizens. I have nothing against them. Love them...except two things, bless their hearts they are getting out & living & having fun but when they are shouting "What did she say" etc...UGH...and then you just have a dirty mind when you have grandma & grandpa next to you! HA!

People are also complaining about Pierce's voice not being that great. I thought it was adorable. Was it an incredible voice like some great singer...no...but that was great...it was like a normal guy trying to sing which made it seem more real to me. I would love a guy that came in the kitchen singing to me & grabbing me & dancing with me! ;-)

Now this may be a bit of a spoiler so don't continue to read if you want to still see it. I found the themes quite interesting. The idea that sometimes we THINK we know how life is...what others think or did is quite interesting to me. I think those who saw it would know what I'm talking about. They both assume & boy how we can get in trouble with that by not asking how each other really feels. In the movie it all works out later...oh if only that really happened in life. And I loved the idea that love really never goes away. To me that is so true. I also thought it was hysterical at the end with the credits. You have to wait until the very end but these guys in their get ups...OMG! Not one person got up in the theater...we all just listened to the music & had fun! I can imagine Meryl would be so fun as a friend.

Boy did I understand all too well that feeling that it is too late & the emotion of her running! But I loved how in the end they take a chance on love AGAIN! To not care if others think they are foolish, to not care about the past part of their lives...just NOW & what they want for the FUTURE! th me! ;-)

I also love that these were mostly Mature actors shall I say. I just mean it was not all TEENS or even young adults...ok I'm young but...

One last picture...now does this not show how great actresses they women are. look at those emotions. They each express it differently & if you didn't know what movie this was from & had seen it you could really have fun wondering what they are looking at & feeling. Love it! I have a feeling...I'll be seeing it again! Oh thank God matinees are cheaper! HA!

I Think I Do?!

2008-08-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

Are these two in love or falling out of love? Hmmm? All depends on your perspective huh!

Apparently Oprah had an article in her magazine in May that I missed reading? Some woman who claims she is happily married but dreams of being divorced and claims many women feel the same way. AOL had a link of a reply to this article which I read & I tend to agree.

Ok, what do I know of marriage? Never been married so what could I know?! I agree! Everything I think & write here is probably total bunk! At the risk of sounding like Dr. Phil here...I'm sorry if you are thinking of divorce...you are not happily married! Some big denial going on here! Now there are days you may not want to be around the person. For good reasons or bad....although that could still be good? Let me explain. You may just want to have some time to yourself. Marriage does not mean you lose yourself. That "becoming one" idea is ok in some respects, because if you just think of yourself & not as a couple then you will have problems. But at the same time if you don't have an individual identity also, that will be a problem. So alone time is not a bad thing.

Then there are times you just don't want to be around the person. Ok, today they are bugging the heck out of you. Now this may not be their fault. You may be having a bad day & then it is probably a good idea to steer clear of each other until one is back to their chipper self. Then again, when our partner is like this do we say, "What can I do for you?" realizing something must be wrong today. Do we tell our partner, I'm just crabby because...and come up with an idea that might cheer us up. I'm thinking MASSAGE! ;-) Now some of this may also be perspective. I'll give you the example I use with my students during the wellness unit. I think it was from "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" but I could be wrong?

Ok, so this wife is all pissed off because every morning she gets a towel for her shower & places it in the bathroom. Every morning her husband "sneaks in the shower before her and uses 'her towel'". This goes on for year after year in their marriage. She gets more & more upset thinking her husband is an inconsiderate jerk (or worse!) One day she overhears her husband boasting about what a wonderful wife he has & provides an example. "Do you know my wife puts out a towel for me every morning." Now she could have gotten upset & yelled no I don't why don't you even think blah, blah, blah. You know that can happen but I suppose it is the tone in his voice that makes her realize he really thinks she is being sweet to him. All this time she thought he was just being inconsiderate and taking her towel when he had no clue & just thought she was doing this for him because she really lovingly wanted to. It brings up a few points. First, why wasn't she? Yes, he could too and especially since she was why wouldn't he, but maybe he felt that would just be her idea & he feels he is doing something else...is she noticing? Next, why is she stressing out about this? After all these years, why hasn't she just brought out two towels right away & solved the problem? Why hasn't she nicely said anything to him right away? He would have probably said, "I'm sorry, I thought you were bringing it for me" and then he would have got his own perhaps or they could have gotten each others? Actually, I just thought...perhaps that is why they use to have "His" and "Hers" towels...HA! Do you see how one's perspective gets things thrown out of whack & how communication is sooooo very important?! People get so upset about these little things they turn into big things when they really do not need to. Perhaps this is what this woman means by happily married, meaning overall she loves him and wants to be married but it is a pain currently just living together because they are not communicating. But still she is not happy & if you are not happy then you need to tell the person that. We certainly do not have trouble telling strangers when we are not happy with their driving etc. This is the person you love...we SHOULD be able to tell them how we feel safely. I know...very difficult. Was with me and my last bf too. Not saying I'm perfect on this myself.

Youknow there are also some people who get married just because they think it is the thing to do. They are a certain age, it is the socially acceptable thing to do, they love the idea of the wedding but forget what it is is about marriage & what that really means. Then once they get married & realize, they are disappointed. They don't THINK about what they want and the idea of wanting to be with this person to help them potentiate who they are and have thought about whether this person wants to be with them for the right reasons & to help them potentiate.

Then there are the relatives! HA! Don't you love this movie! Now that is a real man...who loves her and her family...no matter how crazy they are! Ha! God knows we feel that way about them too sometimes & quite frankly you know they all talk behind our backs that we are the crazy ones! HA! But someone loves them also...isn't it great!

Lastly...for now...we forget we are all on life's journey. We are on different points of this path sometimes. We all grow at different paces & have different lessons to learn. We forget to be patient with each other. We forget that we are also not perfect so we should not expect our partner to be. They will make mistakes and the idea is if you love that person you are there for them when they do. It is the difficult times that are the real test. Anyone can be there for the fun and easy times. Love is really true when you are having a tough time and that person is there even more for you. They are solid and strong when you need a bit of help. And it is not a chore, you do it eagerly! You want to because you love the person! We certainly do when we first meet but we tend to forget and stop doing these things. I've posted before how I have the Love is Patient, Love is Kind verse as a poster. I love this ring...great reminder! Have to remember that maybe for one day.

Oh...but what the H do I know...I've never been married so don't listen to me!

A Lovely Day!

2008-08-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Today was just a beautiful day! I wish every day was like today! It reminded me of summer days when I was little and our first house we had. I use to sit on the grass and watch the clouds. I'd listen to the birds, the planes (low ones), smell the grills in the neighborhood...just total bliss! I'm not sure when my dad planted it but we had this Weeping Willow Tree in the corner of our backyard which I just loved. I love sitting under trees...or floating...ha...I would float on our pool at our second house looking up at the branches how they curved in all kinds of directions. It was like I know where I'm going & boom they make a 90 change. Kinda like life. I'd see the squirrels & chipmunks running through them like that was their stomping ground, no different than I knew my route to the mall, McDonalds, school etc. I watched the birds fly back & forth with branches for their nests and some gross bug they would regurgitate to feed their babies. The trees would blow gentle back & forth and whisper to me. When my niece was little, she did not like the wind, so I told her it was the trees waving Hello to her. She smiled & would say Hello back! :-)

The sun would send its warmth to me and make me feel safe & relaxed. Then there was the occasional voice of mom interrupting your altered state of consciousness to ask if you feel asleep, put suntain lotion on or to tell you she had Kool-Aid or popsicles etc. Pretty soon you could feel the sun going down, but you didn't want to admit it. I vowed to stay out as long as I possibly could. I'm not cold? That wasn't a mosquito...dinner? Oh...ok, I'll go in. Then you sat at the dinner table still with the smell of suntain lotion (usually Bain de Soleil) and a bit of sweat & ate. Off to take a quick shower & change for bed to welcome another summer day of the same.

Oh do I want to be there again! Alas, summer is leaving us soon. It will return but not soon enough for me. I love Fall's show of colors, the soft beauty of Winter's white snow and Spring's birth of Summer really but there is nothing like SUMMER! Forget the countdown on Christmas Shopping Days, I countdown the days when Summer will come back & play with me.

I do hope Summer fights leaving just as much as I did going in for the evening!

What A Welcome Back!

2008-08-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Well that wasn't the best first day of class...Sigh! I walked in my classroom to a Sauna! I and another prof had called last week about how hot it was...today worse! Ugh! One of our air conditioners had problems I guess. It was like 20 degrees hotter than it should have been. My first class was wilting & I was along with them. Didn't help it was standing room only! By the 3rd class in there it was getting cooler but by then I was getting a migraine! Ugh!

Came home & went to PT and someone I know from my Tai Chi group, who I have not seen for a very long time, came in for PT and was so excited to see me she had to come back right away to talk to me. It ended very good for her in some ways. She had a knee replacement about 4 weeks ago & so right now it is really tough when they are working on her to stretch it while it is swollen etc. I tried to keep talking to her as while they did it and she was wincing in pain. Even the PT kept telling her to talk to me as it became more painful for her. We already emailed each other tonight. She is so sweet. I ended up taking my migraine pills there as I was finishing up my last 2 exercises and then we talked a bit more. By the time I was leaving my head was getting better.

I got hom & relaxed a bit but then my headache was coming back but it was about an hour after I took my meds & that is when you can take another. I ended up not but I was sooo tired I layed down. Set my alarm for an hour but ended up sleeping for 3! YIPES! I feel weird now...more than my usual that is...ha...but I think it is just migraine hangover thing. Had some strange dreams though. Poor Dusty & Country were starving when I woke up since they had not had their dinner. Don't worry they have crunchies out all the time but they get a can of food for breakfast & dinner.

Now I'm trying to get a few things done for tomorrow. I'm hopeful that the classroom will be cool tomorrow as it was already getting that way when I left. I was upset sleeping so much thinking I would not be able to sleep tonight now but I'm still yawning? Maybe I'll sleep & then just get up early which is good because they changed my classes on me Friday & now I have an early class on T & Th...and I am not a morning person so perhaps it is a pleasing in disguise.

Oh I did make some Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies & took them to campus for the faculty. I found the mix at TJ Maxx...here is their site! Yum...but I've been good. Well, back to work.

The Problem With Schools!

2008-08-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

It is examples like this that make me embarrassed to say I'm in education! Well, except that I would NEVER agree with this! This school refuses to let a girl wear her hair pink in honor of her dad who died of Cancer. PATHETIC! How much of it is a distraction beyond all the other distractions! If I were a parent of the other kids I'd organize to have her whole class show up with pink hair to support her & send a message to the school board! Suspend them all for the rest of the year for all I care! I'd sue. Ha! Can you tell I'm a child of the 60s! HA! Heck I'd get all the parents to do it too...and maybe even some REAL MEN (fathers) would too!

Pooped!

2008-08-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

This print is called "Too Pooped To Participate" by Charles Wysocki which I've always loved. I have a metal one of this in my kitchen. :-) Well I was too pooped yesterday to post about my first day back & today...I took a long nap when I got home. HA! Today was 8:30 meeting...ICK!!! At least tomorrow is 10am! :-) I got my workbooks into our copying dept so I'm pretty much set for next week. I think this is the most ahead I've been in 18 yrs of teaching! HA! Now I have to work on the text material. New book & a new edition...ugh. I'll do that in the next couple of days.

You know I'm thinking of actually taking an iron pill. About 2 yrs ago I was low & I wonder if I am again? But I've just been feeling like that for the last week? Still? Probably not eating right again? Well that wasn't the whole reason before but I get into these moods once or twice a year where I'm bored with food. Nothing appeals to me. Every get like that?

The meetings were ? Well so were so short we had bigger breaks so if you combined them I was like I could have came in at 9:30 & slept more! HA! The critical thinking for hours was long and I didn't feel engaged as it should. I did get some ideas so to me if you walk away from something & even get one nugget it is worth it. I went to more today but only like 6 others did with me since it was optional so might tell you something. Again, an idea or two. Probably didn't need to be so long, could have been another topic today or we could just have came back today but that is my opinion worth you know what! We'll see how tomorrow goes...new topic.

Well tomorrow we are getting storms in the evening & then Fri & Sat scattered. Good I can just work inside and not feel bad I'm missing being out in the nice weather. Then I'll get that done & can enjoy the days after. Now I feel like I slept too much? Ugh. It will straighten out soon I'm sure. Well I think I'll watch some of the Olympic coverage since tomorrow is the last day. Later...

I Guess I'm Old?

2008-08-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, I guess I'm old! This was an ad from Kohls in my email. I tried to find it online just to link to but they don't have it there so...Although I suppose "Juniors" could be still for those in college but I think of Juniors as Jr. High or starting H.S. and let me tell you I don't think I'd let my daughter where those shoes! It isn't just how tall the heels are per see. My first pair of high heels were sandals with wedge up about 4 inches...made me 6 ft! I was in 8th grade too or maybe spring so just about graduating! These just look a bit "something else"? And first are those leg warmers on her with the Argyle? Are they back? Is Argyle back? The brown ones make them look more conservative school but??? Not to mention these girls are going to be making the podiatrists a mint but then I like the high heels with the pionted toes sooooo much! HA! Can't find them so much anymore. What do you think? Is it just me & I'm getting old???

My Last Day of Vacation!!

2008-08-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

The clock keeps ticking. It won't let me stop it. Well, I could go & pull the power from it or smash it with my sad feelings but that really doesn't stop the time from passing, just the another confirmation that it is. Summer has come & gone. I know we still officially have some left but I go back to work tomorrow. My official Summer Vacation is ending once more. You know how they say you pay for it later...8am tomorrow...UGH! I know, I know, I'm lucky I teach at the college level & don't have to everyday. So what am I complaining about...I'm not a morning person. Never was & I don't really think I'll change? I have meetings the next 3 days & then Friday is just prepping but I have my syllabus, calendars & blogs all done & online already so I'm in good shape. I thought I would avoid the stress or minimize it that way. I slept late today but that is only because I didn't fall asleep until late. I'm going to try to head to bed early tonight...we'll see. I really do want to go for about 7am or a bit after but we'll see. Don't get me wrong, it isn't that I don't love being in my classroom with my students, I just wanted a bit more vacation that is all. As I told my students on their blog the kids are going back so if we don't we'll be in trouble & they'll catch up to us! HA!

I had PT today & they gave me different exercises & bumped me up to a blue band. My left hamstring was pulling a bit & later seemed to be spasming more but I think it has settled down now. I spent my afternoon finishing putting together my shelf. Then pulling the other smaller one out & cleaning it up etc. I have one more to put together tonight. Then I went and tried to perk myself up. My nails were scary so I had some fun. Well, sorta...they all broke off now so I couldn't do as much so I had them do my fingers clear & then my thumbs we did these ladybugs! Well I did...they didn't know how to do them. Which it was hard doing the right one with my left hand but they turned out nottoo bad. Well you don't notice the ladybugs with all red or if they were all ladybugs not as special. Aren't ladybugs suppose to be goodluck? They asked me & that is what I remember. Now you can see them good. (Picture below!) Well, I'm a psych prof what do you want from me & I have to come into class making them wonder...question...no not scared but hey sometimes...ha! It is sooo great not to fit into norms all the time! HA! And geez give me a break...the students are sooo beyond me so...and these little things do matter in having fun & feeling young etc. I then went shopping & bought 5 tops different colors on sale for $9.99...love a sale...then I picked up a pizza! Ahhh thin & crispy crust & I was bad & had green pepper, onion & sausage! I don't think I've had one all summer so that was my little party with myself! HA!

Well I better get that other shelf taken care of & get some things back in order & ready for tomorrow. Our students start back next Mon.

Harry Potter Postponed!

2008-08-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Did you hear they are postponing the new Harry Potter movie until July 2009 to make more $$$! Ugh! I like it in Nov! The fall early night & chill in the air adds to the wickedness! What a bummer! It is fun around the holidays also but that may be the issue for them. You know in the summer parents can just send their kids out to the matinee to see it again & again & again but in Nov they are in school! What a Bummer!

The Banana Splits

2008-08-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday I was in Panera reading USA Today & there was a little article saying The Banana Splits were going to be starting on TVLand starting Sept 2nd. OMG! Do you remember them? I actually saw them at Kings Island Amusement Park when I was like 11 or 12 yrs old I think. It will be funny to watch as an adult now. Boy it took very little to entertain us then! HA! Darn now I won't get the Tra La La song out of my head! HA! Do you think the kids will like it today? I bet a lot younger ones. What other show should they bring back? I was thinking it would be fun to see John Travolta in Welcome Back Kotter again. OMG!

Red Bull Warning!

2008-08-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

Did you see the warning? Red Bull apparently makes your blood sticky! I've been talking to my students about caffeine drinks for years! Just not good! Especially how young ones are drinking them also!

I'm happy to say I have never gone beyond my Pepsi Caffeine. I rarely drink coffee...just when it is a flavored one maybe once a year during the holidays. I don't drink pop as much as I was younger...maybe 1 a day but not always that. Mostly when I need the caffeine when I have a headache. There are studies that show taking it even with your Tylenol it significantly improves than without. They even have caffiene injectors for migraines. Now maybe it isn't the caffeine doing it but something else that is in the Red Bull? I don't know? It also made me wonder about some of the athletes that die suddenly playing? Perhaps they had one or more before they began to play & with their hearts pounding? We'll have to see.
Do you remember the scene in Meet the Robinsons? Not to make light of this but really show what people are doing!

Mrs. Fields Is Bankrupt!

2008-08-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, if Mrs. Fields goes out of business I want her recipe to her Pumpkin Harvest Cookie! I love those cookies...every fall! YUM! Anyone have the Mrs. Fields Cookbook? Is it in there? I'll have to go to the bookstore & see! We had one in our mall & it left a number of years ago. Then I had to go about 1 hr north, maybe a bit more & then they went out of business! :-( If some guy really wanted to make me smile.... ;-) then again don't think that will make-up for everything & anything! HA! I better get some this fall just in case. Don't think I did last fall? I wonder if they will have them this year & when they will start? If anyone sees them at yours please let me know!!!

No Samson But...

2008-08-14T17:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, it isn't like I'm Samson or anything & have all this strength in my hair but you all know women & their hair...it is a very big deal! Did you watch that when you were a kid with Victor Mature? I loved his locks! I go in for a small cut & my color. I show her that I want more of a choppy layer than slow tiny progression...understand. She says you know if you take the ends off, cut the tip of the V in back your hair will be healthier. Ok, well I have been just trimming...she says an inch or two. I swear these people do not know measurements! I mean I know I am not good with it & thus why I use a tape measure, ask for additional info than just miles and certainly did not go into an occupation which requires it! My hair at its longest point was just above my midback...maybe between the middle of my shoulderblades...got it? Now??? Just touching my shoulders!!!!! NO LIE! I'm like thinking lady...how the "H" do you think that is an inch or two. My ends were not that damaged!!!! Nothing I can do about it now. And my bangs? She knows they go up so much when they dry...I hate them if they are not like touching my eyebrows much less longer...they are midforehead! Now I will say she is not good blowdrying or styling...so when I got home & redid it is not bad style & does "look healthier and thicker" likes she said, but it could have been that still at maybe my collarbone! I'm like pulling the back of it all the time! All that growing it & now it is gone! What a waste! It better grow fast. I'm soooo pissed! I'm not saying anything against anyone who likes shorter hair...I just like long hair. I always have & my hair usually grows slow! It is probably God pissed at me because my ex-sis-in-law cut my nieces hair short again & I was not happy. Her's was at her collarbone & looked soooo lovely & now it is cute...yes...that is not bad at 11 yrs of age, but telling me mine is cute? I'm sorry somehow that is not what I was going for! And my niece just looks so pretty with longer hair. Her mom has total short hair, which looks good on her, but my niece had real long hair when she was little with little curls & it was just beautiful. So why do I go to this woman? Her price is great! I get my cut, color & eyebrows for like $50 total! You should see what it is up north. She ever does this again though & that will be it. Someone else chopped all my hair off about 8 yrs ago & I hated it then....you can see I still remember! HA! Ok, so what did I do...took it out working out, Cried a bit, worked on stuff for my students so I wouldn't think about it & got some shelves to replace the old ones so I'll have to put them together tonight. Yes...anger has no paragraphs either! Ha!

People Are Just Too Funny

2008-08-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

OMG...what is with people? Anxiety & Hemorrhoids is what this flight attendant is claiming as physical injuries from Joel Osteen's wife pushing her. How do these things even get to court. Those judges must just laugh in their chambers! And this is the intellectual capability a flight attendant has to have to work for Continental? I'm never flying with them that is for sure! Good God if that is all you need is a push to get that all the kids in school are in trouble! HA! I wonder how the boxers sit the week after a fight? Stop me...I could go on & on! Lady...you have anxiety for trying to go after a man of God...ok we can argue the money issue with him but even so...and the hemorrhoids are from working your brain apparently too much...sitting on it too much also! Sorry, I'm not usually this bad but geez give me a break. There are more important things in the world to take care of & things she could be doing. Go through the pictures & look at the other flight attendant who was supporting her...man! I'm not thrilled about any evangelist (sp) nor quite frankly the Pope having all the money they do when there are so many poor people, but I have listened to Mr. Osteen's show I think twice & both times I really liked it. I know save me from this future cult but...I take what is useful to me & discard the rest...much of what I do with anyone...HA! Oh don't worry I'm sure they do the same with me! HA!

Why am I sore...PT this morning & yep, just did an hour on my treadmill & then lets see...totalling would be 200 squats (different kinds) and about 100 on my arms (different kinds). :-) Much of it is motivated I think by anger the last two days. I'll explain in another post!

No Arguments!!!

2008-08-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

Jay Leno is now interviewing people off the street on the Olympics...OMG!!! This just proves my last point!

2 college girls who are going into Education had noooo clue where the Olympics are being held, how often they are...one is going to watch Ice Skating during the summer Olympics isn't that great!

They had no clue where the first one was held. They didn't know where "Poles" would be from or "Danes". One engineer didn't know what a Meter was equivalent to. Just pathetic!

8-8-8

2008-08-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well I had to post on a special day like today! The date alone is so cool! I went to work for about 5pm & got home about 9:30 & realized I missed the beginning of the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics. I'm hoping they will repeat it but it may be one I buy actually.

At the risk of someone saying I am Obama's wife & UnAmerica...I really wonder if Chicago could top what China did! That was just incredible. And we wonder why they are doing so well in their economy in just a decade? I think we really need to stop complaining about China & step up to the plate & try to compete at their level. That is just my opinion but...Mayor Daly is on tv now even saying Chicago would not be anywhere near it. It cost China 40 Billion...can you imagine? He said that you put the last 25 Olympics together & it may not add up to what China did. The point is...they did it! They do not say No or say "We Can't" and we need more of that in the US! I'm not saying we don't have any of it...just we need much more. I don't know about you but I see many who think they can't before they even investigate it or don't just believe in it first!

Well Dusty believes there should be a Kitty Olympics! He says he can climb great heights, as you can see by the Christmas Tree, which the peak of the roof is about 16 ft so...& he doesn't even want to come down! He also believes he should get the Gold medal for bravery! Climbing my very pathetically messy desk to get to the Fishie was quite dangerous he said for some kitties but not for him! Then there is the long stretch...so limber! Finally, taking the chance of getting caught (Got the proof!) he thinks should earn him a 10.0 Gold! He says he may have some more examples in future posts in the next 16 days so get ready!

I'm Alive!!!

2008-08-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Well last Thursday I came home from my last day of summer school & was working on my computer for about 30 min & I hear "BSSST" and then my monitor goes black & I smell something burning! UGH!!!! *&%^#!!!

I call my dad & say, "Dad talk to me before I start crying!" I was just thinking I lost my computer. Now I had almost everything on my flash drive since Dell had to redo my computer so I would not have lost all my data but a few things that were added the last week or so. It was just the thought that I would have to buy a new computer now. I had just replaced my sound card & my mouse is dying since I have to basically break a finger pressing the right button to get it to work. Well, my dad helped me logically think it through...if it was my motherboard it would have a screen but say it can't find the files so he thought my power supply was the problem & that was not too costly. He said he would help me put a new one in when he brought his mattress to me. Yep, I get hand-me-downs! HA! First it was cars...which wasn't bad when I got my brothers red Z24. HA! I miss my Zoom, Zoom but I like not having to get in my car so low with my back & knees and having more cargo room now. My folks had got a Select Comfort bed in AZ & they had just finally ordered one for their house here for the summer, so when it came in I got their mattress. It is probably 10 yrs old but what I have is probably 20 so better than what I got until I can order a Select Comfort too. I really would like to get a King then but that is more costly so we'll see. I can always get a King later....So, he & my brother came over and we went to OfficeMax & they assured me it would work & be more power even...cables didn't reach! SIGH! So I had to order one from Dell!

Ok, so it comes in today! YA! I got it connected with a little help from my dad over the phone. Some plugs were obvious but others I was not sure if they had to be in certain slots or just any so I called. Then I call Dell to ask them about the sound card they sent me for my front plug ins. It looked the same as what is in there... UGHHHHHH....I will give you the VERY short version...1 1/2 hrs later they tell me they could have sent me the back soundcard of what I had & the front would plug into it & so now I have to send back the 2 cards & order the one I originally had. I know...LOVELY! Maybe I can get them to pay for it or give me some credit or something other than an Ooops, We're sorry! Unfortunately, I started to get a migraine on the phone with Dell. It is better but lingering. I should take my contacts out & eat something.

I swear I was having withdrawal from not being online for a week. Well, I went to another "supplier" ha...I went to work the last two days for a bit to work & check emails etc. Hee Hee! I had to go in last Friday also to enter grades etc. I figured it was God's way of making me stay off the computer & get other things done. HA! Which I did!

I had some other excitement the last couple of days also...Tornado Warnings! Ugh! I really didn't like the 6am one...I woke up from a big thunder clad & then I said, "Is that the alarm?" I went and looked out my window & it was really GREEN! Ugh! Dusty & Country were not too happy with me scooping them up from their deep sleep & bringing them into the bathroom but hey they know I'm crazy already. Can you imagine what cats must think...HA! They have no idea why we have to stay in the bathroom...pretty crazy if you think about it. Ha! Some big trees down in the city next to me but we were pretty much ok. 2 big ones down on the other side of the street by my school's entrance. Cracked a about 3 or 4 feet from the ground.

Well, long already...I'll post some more in a bit...

Woo Hoo...last day of Summer School!

2008-07-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Dance Time!!!

Tomorrow (technically today!) is my last day of Summer School! Woo Hoo! And we are really done with content so we are doing a review, I'll answer any questions they have and then they can have the rest of the time to work on their exam if they like online. As soon as I turn in grades I'm off for a bit over 2 weeks! Have the have them done by noon Friday but I may sooner.

I just finished a Powerpoint with their Review to use the IClickers. I love them & the students seem to also.

I had a great time with my cousin tonight. We sat at the bar at LoneStar for a while & talked & these two guys, probably late 20s? were listening & chirping in from time to time...hysterical! The bartender gave the 4 of us (the guys too) shots of Appletinis? It was good. I haven't done a shot since maybe in my mid 20s! Oh wait I know when...at MSU working on my doctorate the jelloshots...ha...I haven't thought of that for so long! HA! I would have been 26 or 27? My favorite is Ouzo! I don't like black licorice but I swear I lick out the shot glasses with Ouzo! Ha! It took me 1 1/2 hrs to get to dinner tonight though due to traffic...ugh. We talked though for 4 hours! HA! I'm sure the restaurant was thrilled with us! HA! We had a great time though. My cousin is having a pool party for her kids birthdays and graduation this Sun though so we'll get to have some more fun. I think we are also going to go to the zoo when my niece comes back in since she has some passes. I had fun there last weekend so I can't wait.
The weathermen were so wrong though...again! It rained on my way...though I got a free car wash! :-) I went to B&N afterwards & got a book on Cary Grant & one on Katherine Hepburn on sale. Pretty much all pictures with explanations. I also got this set of cards with Sign Language...I wanted to learn & this looks good. It was on sale too. Then I picked up the new Scientific American, Scientific American Mind & a magazine I never saw before called Green Guide by National Geographic. My Social Psych students have a chapter on Sustainable Future and our institution getting with the program! :-) I'll try to link those later! Saw my sister there & said hi for a bit & then took off because I was tired...and thus I say "Sweet Dreams"

P.S. As James Bond ends now I just want to voice my opinion by saying they made a big mistake getting rid of Pierce! What a hunk of man! HA! And hopefully...he will make my dreams sweet! HA!

Worst Than Your Mom Nagging You!

2008-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

This alarm clock may be worse than you mom yelling at you to get up as a kid! Then again? Although my mom really didn't get me up...except Sundays for Church but I think that was my dad...ha! I don't remember when I started to use my own alarm clock? I do know getting my sister up was a pain. I'd always get up first because if I didn't she would never get up & I'd have no time for a shower. So I was the one that was always up at like 6am! Probably why I don't like mornings so much now ha! I should get it for my baby brother. That man would sleep through an earthquake. My dad use to be like that my mom said. She'd have to hit him over the face with a wet washrag if she had to get him up earlier than his alarm. My brother has this horrendous alarm that you can hear even outside the house & he still is in a dead sleep. It will go off for an hour & nothing. Interestingly though he seems to get up to the cell phone! HA! I wonder if it is on the pitch?

Not sure if he hears his daughters? When my little niece was born all of a sudden I slept lighter. I would hear every whimper she made if her crib was next to me or her monitor. And I think she will have trouble. She sleeps all over the place! Hits the wall, still at times sleeps with her legs tucked under her tummy & her butt up in the air! She is 11! She did as a baby...I wonder if she was like that in utero? She whacks me in the nose with her arms when she was a baby. Once I had her on my chest on the lazyboy rocking & my mom was talking to me when she picked up her head & dead weight her head fell on the bridge of my nose. I was in sooooo much pain I was seeing stars & thought I would pass out. She just got it right. I could not do anything as I did not want to wake her. She was probably 2 yrs? Her legs where down to my lap then so...then just as I was feeling better she did it again. O...M...G! My mom could not believe it. She is like put a pillow between the two of you...thanks mom, you are a lot of help now! HA!

Oh & get this...I never used the snooze button until last year or the year before? I swear! I think I always figured I'd never get up...which I find I have to just set my alarm earlier to allow for the snooze & that doesn't make much sense to me so...but this alarm has a 2nd alarm so I just set it for 15 min later & that is better. I know you can do that with the snooze but...I don't know I just feel I have to get up rather than hit it again idea.

I don't know about you but I need more sleep now to function. In college and graduate school I pretty much functioned on 4-6 hours of sleep. Now I have to have 8 really. Maybe the reason of staying up so late is different to. Studying keeps you more cognitively engaged & if you enjoy the subject you get in the "flow" and just lose track of time or the occasional "party" ha...& that is different than staying up all night because you can't sleep or are sick or something. Of course I do remember in college I would come home from class, take a 20 min nap & get up for the dining hall to open & it would refresh me so much. Ready to go until whenever then Ha!

And I remember the day we had off due to a holiday and we did not wake up to the fire alarm! It sounded like someone's alarm clock. I woke up chocking from smoke! That was nuts. It was like before 9am so you know we partied that weekend & were sleeping in! The guys could not believe all the girls were coming in their dorm with nighties on! HA! I was disoriented because I think I managed to get jeans on, not sure what else...it was Feb! Yes, the changed the fire alarms after that...was so blaring you could not hear anyone talk with directions! Ugh!

Well off to have dinner up north with my cousin...

Ahhh Clean Carpets!

2008-07-29T00:16:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if this is a sign of getting old, but it seems it takes very little to please me in comparison to younger ones. Today they came to clean my carpets & I'm sooo giddy about it! So fresh looking & smells nice. I've been in this apartment for 9 yrs and well the carpet cleaner said they were really good for 9 yrs but I am a clutz! I have a knack for making a mess...real fast too! HA! The steam cleaner guy was very nice to me and helpful. He said I could put one cat in the bedroom & then switch when he got the other done. I know the first time I spill something I'm going to be really pissed now! HA! I even wanted to get my car seats protected when I picked up my new SUV in Jan but of course my dad said, you can do it cheaper with Scotchguard...did I get that done before something got on them? NOPE! Have I done it yet? NOPE! Should it go on my to do list this week then...ya! Dusty seems to be ok, but Country just doesn't know what to make of this. I haven't been able to move my furniture back in yet...well he did it around the big furniture. I figured under the coach etc is fine since it has been there for 9 yrs...if anything dusty. Should be dry tomorrow morning. Country keeps licking his paws too ha! I went out to get something to eat since my lazyboy, coffee table etc are blocking my stove in my kitchen. Then I went to Kohls to look for some rugs???? to put by the litter boxes. Dusty has tuffs under his paws & drags the little throughout the place...amazing! I remember my grandmother use to have little throw rugs along the high traffic areas. I still remember her picking up pieces of paper off them & then she'd later pick them up & fling them outside. They moved from that house when I was about 12 yrs old. I found really a bathroom one in light purple & I'm going to see if it works. Does match the purple in my bedroom. I found a cute one for under their food. It has a white cat on it & says "Got Fish?" HA! And Kohls had 30-50% off rugs so they were cheap!!! Ahhh another smile...I love a great bargain!

Speaking of bargains...my ex emailed me about a book sale (ya he's been pretty decent) & I went to it Sat & you will not believe this...I got 28 CDs, 3 Language packages with 3 CDs, workbook & travel card, 5 DVDs, 6 books, these pilates hand balls and 2 text...get ready...you won't believe it....$10.50!!! Nope, I'm not lying! I would have had them for $4 if I had waited with my first patch. I try to watch my back and since I did not have a big strong guy to carry things for me I purchased the first set & said no biggie bring them to the car & come back & look around some more. Well the lady then announced all the books, CDs and DVDs you can fit in a big brown bag $2! The place went nuts. These are all new!!! they had ? some guitar is it PS3? I don't know for $40...it is $90 at Walmart I think. They had Halo Helmet? I think too. I got tons of Christmas CDs...well it is my favorite time of the year. I'm not sure if I will ever bet that bargain!

Now Meet Me In St. Louis is on TCM again... :-) Ahhh I'm just so happy! I really like Leon Ames (the father) he was in Life With Father & By the Light of the Silvery Moon and so many more. It brings back memories of watching them with my mom when I was a young girl.

Ok, lets see...then I was leaving to go eat & I drove up to my mailbox to see what surprises I had and as I read my mail a guy came by walking his dog, a big beagle type. He said I like your decal. I was trying to think what it was. I really didn't want to put any on it but then I remembered I put the blue one that matched that says "God Bless the American Soldier". I said thank you & asked if he was in the military. He said yes "Mame" (ugh!). I said thank you to him and he said you're welcome & flashed a cute smile turning his head back to me? Hmmm...then I go to Petsmart and I turn the aisle & some cute little dog comes up from behind me & starts licking my calf. I had cropped pants on! I was like "Hello!" I asked...nope female dog! HA! At least it could have been a male licking my calf...then just have to work my way to a human male! HA! Then I went to the restaurant & you know there are days when you think no one notices you at all. No one talks to you to say Hello, opens a door, doesn't even make eye contact. Well, then there are days when everyone is "noticing you" and you actually get self-conscious...is my zipper open? Do I have food on a very obvious place on my shirt...what..what is it people? I don't know? Everyone is smiling at me, and saying hi & being helpful? The guy next to me is telling me where the waitress is to wipe off my table, then this waiter that was from I don't know Bahamas or maybe like Nigeria? He had such a thick accent & talked fast I really could not understand him. He was helping me so much. Then I'm reading my "Eat, Pray, Love" Book (just started it) and I started to laugh out loud & he was next to me & I said I'm sorry & just explained & he said, "What is that book, I want to read it?" I'm like he apparently does not know it is a "chick book" but then he says to me quite straight forward, "Where is your Ring?" I did not understand him at first, so he repeated it LOUDER! OMG! I just rolled my eyes in disbelief and said, "It doesn't matter!" I'm like I can't believe he said that! What a line...does he use that all the time...on just American women? And OMG he is like what maybe 25 yrs old! GEEZ! Like I need this! HA!!! Then I'm leaving & he says, "See you tomorrow!" I'm said, "I don't think so" and he says, "See you Friday", I said, "I don't think so!" I'm still laughing...what is with my energy today?

Well...lets see what tomorrow brings!

The BEARS Are Back In Town!

2008-07-27T23:14:00.000-07:00

Now Hook is on...I tell you...

Hmmm...first you see the major news channel vans heading south toward us....then among the pick up trucks and farm equipment you begin to see corvettes, cadillacs, mercedes, and lexuses. Then a few days later stop signs begin sprouting up, gas lines are longer than usual, and though we certainly have our fair share of residents who could really use a retest on their driving skills, there just seemed to be a whole new level of driving recklessness. Then there was the sudden color change in town! Someone has sprayed it Orange & Blue. Everywhere you go that is all you see! Of course the sure give away is when you run out to your Super WalMart at midnight to just grab something you can't wait until morning for, looking so incredibly attractive with no make-up on of course and wearing your SouthPark pants and a big t-shirt and you turn the corner of the aisle with you cart & run into the "Testosterone Zone"...well Jose Canesco may not have named him but you & your cart actually bounces backwards down the aisle! HA! Men like this are just not grown down here, even with all the pesticides used.

Oh no...didn't I put it on my Calendar? Why didn't someone remind me? Sigh....Ok, Ok, don't get me wrong it is great to have the Chicago Bears stomping all over my camp ground. It is great for our businesses here and the kids just love it...ok, the big kids too (I seem to recall meeting Chris Zorich last time with the beau so...). We also seem to have benefitted with new growth in housing & hey we now have 2 new Super WalMarts, another McDonalds, a Buffalo Wild Wings, a 2nd Jimmy Johns, a PetsMart, and I hear Culvers is opening in Nov, Linens N Things & Dick's Sporting Goods is coming. This is just a bit much in a small period of time for us. If we would just get a Portillos...oh no...that might not be a good idea! YIPES!

I better take the highway to school for my last week...going through town will be a nightmare! Besides apparently I can roll over my own SUV I don't need any crazy driver helping me out! HA! I know, I can laugh about it now but...

Well, I'll keep you updated on this year's unique craziness along the way.

WBM...But for a Purpose!

2008-07-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

As the Wicked Witch of the East is melting on my tv, I thought I would remind everyone of Cheryl Richardson's website....ugh...they just cut the movie horribly on TNT...this week her email discussed Whining, Bitching & Moaning! :-) She basically reminds us all that while a bit of it is good if you don't do anything about the reason you are upset nothing will change! As my parents raised me, "If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem!" Unfortunately, so many times you do have to come up with the solutions. Many times I just think, you know I'm not that intelligent & if I can come up with this then how come others can't before me? I don't know but heck they are needed when my pea brain can't figure out ALL the other problems so...

Sunday 7: Fav. Cats

2008-07-21T17:03:00.000-07:00

Well I was gone all day yesterday so just getting to Patrick's Sunday Seven. He wants to know our 7 Favorite Cats...well I could not pass up that topic!

1. First, is my BABY! Dusty is most likely a Nebelung! I love this breed now! I think I'll always have them because they are just wonderful! They are very affectionate & yet then want to be on their own too. Dusty is a lap cat too & he will sleep on me which I do like. Health wise he has been excellent so far also. He is 18 yrs old now & runs so fast & jumps across the room! He is very smart also and fearless. He use to climb the rafters in the basement of my folks old house & he stared down a racoon which got into our house! What a brave man!

2. & 3. are probably a tie! Generally speaking I love long haired cats. I do like short hair but I just love longer haired cats. I love Main Coons & Norwegian Forest Cats. Again, they are kinda like Dusty being a long hair cat although Coons can get sooo much bigger.
Here are a few I like:

Main Coon 1 Main Coon 2 Norwegian Forest 1 Norwegian Forest 2

4. & 5 Next, I think I would have to go to Wild Cats. And again hard to decide! I really like Bobcats with their pointed ears and thick coats. They look very sturdy and solid. Hmmm? Is this a personality test? Maybe it say something about us? Or what we like...hmmm! Also the Canadian Lynx is so incredibly beautiful! His face looks likea wolf a bit too! Again, I think it is the strenght...hmm!

Bobcat Canadian Lynx

6. I do like Tigers...and White ones especially...I have the picture below as a framed poster in my office! I love it. I see soooo much in it. First, they are so tender & loving. Next, they are different but don't see it! They see what is common & can still love each other! I love that idea! No prejudice, no discrimination! They may even love each other for their differences! I could go on & on!

Loving Tigers!

7. Next would be the Lion. I love how magificient they are. Again they can be roaring, just project strength just sitting & yet can be so gentle, even sleeping adorable things! Ya, I think this is so true of MEN! ;-) I tell Dusty with his mane he is a lion...king of the forest...Mufasa! Got to help their egos you know! HA!

Lion 1 Lion 2 Lion 3 Lion 4

Actually, yesterday I was at the zoo & took some pictures & may have a lion in there. It was soooo hot! I will have to go back in the fall & try to just go to take pictures. If any pictures turn out good I'll post them!

Ok, there is my 7...finally! :-)

Lights Out

2008-07-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I woke up about 8:20 from everything on my deck blowing around like crazy. T-storm warning after I rebooted my computer? ugh. Then a bit later the lights flickered a bit & out they went for about an hour. Ugh! The storm moved through fast. They said about 70mph yipes! Good thing I morning I can sleep in...ugh! Found out my carbon monoxide detector needed a new battery when the power went out! HA! Took care of that! I think I'll make something to eat & then lay down for a bit. I'll post more later on my trip to the zoo yesterday etc...

Measuring Men

2008-07-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I just read a book review on Sidney Poitier's newest book "Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter". I had read "The Meaure of a Man" & really liked it so I think I will get this new one & read it during the rest of my summer. They have a quote I like from the new book, "Those who stop their questioning at 75, 60, even at 30 - cut short their exploration and end up with permanently unfinished lives." That is like Einstein's quote "The important thing is to not stop questioning" which I love. Probably why I love the science of behavior and thinking...questioning in the first place! HA! So to that person who told me "I think too much" I hope you just mispoke that day & meant I was just thinking the wrong way or should not worry...though kinda mute point now but...because if not, I'm sorry you just don't get it! :-) Then again, maybe you just don't like women to be to smart...hmmm...I would have never guessed that but maybe? I like to think that isn't you but...ok, so I'll see if I can get the book this weekend & let you know how it is.

Gentleman...Remove Your Caps!

2008-07-16T02:46:00.000-07:00

Now there is one classy guy! I could not believe during tonights All Star Game they had to announce TWICE for the gentlemen (I use that loosely for them!) to remove their baseball hats during the national anthem! GEEZ! It is just sad! Yes, I'm old I guess. What is happening to the moral fiber huh...ha! No one moves over & stops for Ambulances, ok some, but many are not and guys are not opening doors for women anymore...I know Women's Lib etc but you know...how about anyone open a door for anyone! Not as often anymore! When little boys do it I actually make a big deal of it in front of them mom's on how their mom must be wonderful (or their dad) and they will have all the girls liking them if they continue that...well some are in the girls are icky still but...many of them smile shyly it is soooo cute!

BTW...did you hear Josh Groban sing the national anthem? WOW! I'm waiting for it to be on Youtube! Just Awesome! I tried to back it up & record by my DVR hated me tonight I guess.

I was sad about the turnout of the game. We were looking great there for awhile! I'll be hearing about it from my brothers I'm sure.

Yes...I'm STILL up! Tried to fall asleep but my knee is hurting and my feet are cold? I got up & heated my bean thing in the microwave & stuck my feet on top of it. Adjusted the room temp & I'm going to try again. I need someone with hot feet I can put mine under. Ha! Dusty won't even lay across my feet geez!

2008-07-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

I'm soooo EXCITED!!!! I guess it takes very little to excite me but...

The 25th Anniversary showing of War Games is July 24th (next Thurs!) I already called my brothers & they are checking their calendars. I knew they would be interested. I love the movie! I watch it whenever it is on tv! I remember when I was in college..OMG...yes it has been that long then too! YIPES! Well it came out the year I started college but still. I remember we got it at our student union theater & man I went to see it each time. I can't remember how many seats they had? Maybe 75? I don't know but it was like 95% guys in there & that was nice! Ha! So many great lines...

What kind of an asshole lives on an island and he doesn't even have a boat?

No, I can't, okay, Wonder Woman? I can't swim!
Well, what kind of an asshole grows up in Seattle and doesn't even know how to swim?

All right, Lightman. Maybe you can tell us who first suggested the idea of reproduction without sex.
Um, your wife?

Mr. McKittrick, after very careful consideration, sir, I've come to the conclusion that your new defense system sucks. (Boy things have not changed much today huh!)

Goddammit, I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it'd do any good!

He wasn't very old.
No, he was pretty old. He was 41.
Oh yeah? Oh, that's old. (Boy at the time I thought that was funny...now I find it sick! HA!)

I loved it when you nuked Las Vegas. Suitably biblical ending to the place, don't you think?

This corn is raw!
I know, isn't it wonderful? It's so crisp!
Of course it's crisp! It's raw!
No, it's terrific! You can just taste the Vitamin A and D!
Could we have pills and cook the corn? (God I'm still laughing at that!)

Good stuff...HA! I can't wait to go! See now I'd think this was a romantic date...ha! Ok, so it could be after but it is a fun one first! HA! I miss my college days...they were so much fun and relaxing..hmmm probably didn't think that then but in retrospect HA! It was great though. What do they say about it wasted on the youth HA!

Closer But No Answer Yet

2008-07-12T00:19:00.000-07:00

Well...not good but not bad so far! Hmmm...Ok, saw my knee doc today "Dr. T" and he checked out my knee. X-rays not bad some mild narrowing on side & bit more in the middle but he says no choice got to do an MRI. He is not totally convinced I didn't tear my meniscus and cartilidge. The best case scenario is it is just my knee cap problem - Chondromalacia - which is when my knee cap moves to the side where it shouldn't. I had a lateral release of my ligament on my left knee over the summer after my sophmore year in college. I really haven't had any problems since then. He told me today I saw him for the first (last also) time Dec 06 for this so I went a year & seven months without major problems. Then my knee would not straighten but no pain. I just remembered now kneeling to get a pot sometime in the winter & having horrible pain on the inside hollow part? Hmmm have to tell him. Well, this time HUGE pain. If it turns out this then it would just be how many episodes & how long they last & if I can put up with it. If it gets so bad then I can pick a convenient time (ya right) and get it done when I want. Only a 20 minute operation & he said the surgery has changed in the last 10 years, much less 20 since I had it. There are actually knee cap specialist now. They do a release, like I had, but they also tighten up the muscle on the opposite side now too. About 3 weeks recovery. Not too bad.

Ok, now what he wants to rule out is a meniscus problem. If I tore it & some cartilidge then he say I have no choice & have to have surgery. He said if I was 20 (Yes, I gave him a dirty look!) then I could wait until it is too painful, but with aging one gets narrowing & less cartilidge and my mom has had one knee done with this already a few years ago some genetic history here. He said it would makes a big difference to have one less problem causing pain. And I'm so active, man if this pain I have now was something I would have to live with without surgery...no way! He said recovery would be from maybe 3-6 weeks depending how bad. UGH!!! I told him I have 3 more weeks of school & then 2 1/2 off. He said ok, lets get going & I agreed. I scheduled the MRI for Monday afternoon already! He was great! Only the 2nd time I've seen him & he was great. Had his knee joint prop & explained everything to me...except his knee cap was not on right...I said, "Well that could explain my pain!" HA! He said what I'm doing in PT & home and the ice & 800mg of Motrin is exactly what I should do for my knee cap problem so?

My knee made considerable improvements overnight the first two nights but now it is holding & lingering the last couple of days! Ugh! Still feels like a rock & doesn't feel like it is working right. Hard to straighten when I have been sitting. So if you can think good thoughts for my knee...I really don't want to be missing school again. I was out 9 weeks with my foot surgery, I think that is going to be 3 yrs ago in Sept. And I'm just horrible not out & about & passionately living. Just sitting on my butt is not me. My spirit feels squashed. If I have no choice then I'll have to but I just hope I don't have to. I'll let you know when I know more next week. He is going to call me when he takes a look.

Boys!

2008-07-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

UGH!!! I'm trying to make a rainbow rock waterfall or atleast something for them to climb up to sunbath & I get this putty stuff the guy recommends. First it doesn't work the first time! Ugh! Then I get more & I saw it on an infommercial the other night for like 6 times as much for 1/2 the price! ARRRGGHHH..then last night I see Sam eating it from the rocks! He is so strong...he digs & pushes & gets to it. So I'm on the phone with Dr. J. their reptile doc. She says OMG! She isn't surprised though knowing Sam! He is quite the personality! So now I have to watch if he passes it. Yep...just what I wanted to do! Otherwise he has to go in! They are just like kids...get into everything. I haven't seen Ella eating it yet. And it isn't like he is underfed...the boy is overweight actually! Geez! Now I have to contact the company etc. Well life would be boring without all this right! Ha!

The Too Young Say We Are Too Old!

2008-07-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, Angry, Annoyed, Pissed...LIVID...Dictionary.com used Livid this way...

Willful stupidity makes me absolutely livid.

Thats it!!! Who is making up these "Norms"? Did they do this to our parent's generation? Now AOL has what you should not wear AFTER 40! Now, are they saying if you have injuries you should not be wearing Stilleto heels or if you are 500 lbs you might think twice before wearing a thong? NO! It is simply that magic number! Now wait...I thought 40 was the new 30? And what was just on TV..."She's Got the Look"...women over 35 who look AWESOME...better than some 20 year olds. In fact, I'll argue many of us do! The experience & confidence we have (while not perfect) just is so attractive...yes in Men too! Probably why I always liked men old than me rather than my age! And then there is Carson with his Feeling Beautiful NAKED!

First up...Crocs..now why? I can't wear them...hurts my foot I had surgery on! But if you are just relaxing and they are more comfortable than gym shoes are you going to offend me or hurt me if you do? NO! Heck, better than Stiletto heels if your shopping, you'll hurt yourself. Save the Stilettos for your man! ;-) They say only if you have a job standing a lot...not to have fun with Jibbitz! Oh No...how dare we 40 plus have any fun! What was that about "Finding the Child Within?" I swear these are a bunch of 20 year olds making these rules up!

Next, is String Bikinis...I kid you not this is what they say...

Even if you've got "it" there is no need to flaunt it.

I'm sorry...you may have learned you don't need to flaunt it as much as you thought when you were younger but heck if you look at awesome at 40+ you should flaunt it. If others do not like it then tough. I don't mean meanly in their face but you should feel confident and sexy! Not to mention it is great for your man! And tell me what man will not feel great if other guys do find his wife attractive & he is married to her (ya as long as both are trustworthy etc)! And if you are widowed or divorced you should be flaunting also to still be ALIVE & SEXY!

I have no problem with the all over prints...that is a bit much for any age...so why say just 40 & over? But heck if that is your style & you love it Go For It! Whose life is it anyway? Who is judging? Noone should be! Not if they don't want you to judge them! What are we loving the person or what they wear etc. Again, like the Diamond ring post...what is important?

Ok, leggings...that just went out of style for everyone with a shirt. It is comfortale at home but I have no issue with it one way or the other.

Backpacks...they are too childish...did you know that? Give me a Break! Who cares! Ok if you are carrying a Hannah Montana or High School Musical one then maybe but heck they have leather ones! Do these people get paid for this? Why don't they get a real job! I kinda feel sorry for them if they feel all this pressure to wear the "right things." They must be very unhappy or living in some illusionary world that all these things are so important in life.

Lastly, no Baby Dolls (no not carrying one...the dress ones!) Hey...if you got the legs for it & look good then why not. Sure ya can make you look pregnant...I would think a woman would know this though once she tried it on. And heck, how about all those tops they are making now that can make even the thinest person look pregnant. Get rid of those. They are so boxy & thin also...I hate them! They didn't say anything about Baby Doll nightwear? I love them. I'm surprised they didn't tell us to wear flannel & not to wear our man's button down shirts anymore! UGH!!!

Ok, is it just me that is crazy (don't answer that!) or do you also have problems with this? Is there anything else you would add or say is fine? And where is the list for guys then?

You know the Seniors have AARP...I think the 40 year olds should get organized! Maybe 30-50 or something? What do you think? This just has to stop! Just Livid!

Best Worst Villian

2008-07-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, you tell me...who would be your Best Worst Villian of all time?

Next, who would be worst out of the following:

Jason or Freddie?

Cruella DeVil or the Witch from Snow White?

Goldfinger or Dr. No?

Dark Vader or Lord Voldemort?

Take a look who made the #1 on AOLs list

And lets see who was not listed?

Sissy Spacek's Carrie
Linda Blair's Regan in Exorcist
Glenn Close's Alex in Fatal Attraction

Can you think of anyone?

Do we see some gender bias here? And where are the "monster" villians...

Aliens or Predator? (can you hear it Kackling? hee hee)

*$#^!%#&

2008-07-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

Under my breath so far...and pangs of worry...some tears & then I say "NO! Not untill you know for sure!!!"

I've been working so hard for about a month now at PT. I got my new glideboard for my Total Gym & in between days I workout at home. I did 120 squats Thurs & Sat & treadmilled each day 1 hr. Today my PT pushed me more and I struggle a bit at the end but my legs are not killing me the rest of the day so I'm handling it ok. Well...

This afternoon about 3pm I go to pick up my friend's daughter to take her up to my folks for my niece's kids birthday party as a surprise. I pull up at the curb so the door is by her to get in but I get out of my side & go around the car & open the door for her. I did NOTHING!!!! No twist that caused pain, I didn't feel a pop, I didn't collapse & go OMG or anything. I just take a step & my knee feels tight like a rock in there. I went "hmmm" and each step I took it felt stiff & hurt. Now this is similar to what I went to the doc for about a year ago. I had 2 days it was stiff & I could not bend it I believe. Then it went away. OMG...it is killing me! Not sure if I can describe this so you can understand but...Right knee, bottom of knee cap, inside hollow part to center under knee cap? Does that make sense? Put your hand right underneath your knee cap. Feel that band ok, there & then slide to the left a bit...how is that. Excruciating there. The more I don't walk it stiffens & is tighter like a rock. When I walk I have to walk straight leg & limp. SIGH!!!!

I called my PT & he said ice & Motrin & if still bad in the morning to come in & he would look at it. I'm going in definitely before my class. I was suppose to go downtown to the back doc where I got my Vax D treatments but I don't think I can walk from the parking lot up the stairs or up the ramp to the metra train & then down when I get there & then 2 1/2 blocks & then back home the same thing. I may have to cancel. I have 3 more weeks of school left too! I just want to scream!

Then I get to the party & of course there are 9 girls from age 5-11 running around & energetic & here I am poopy & can't do anything & in pain. The party went well, my brothers helped out a lot. All the girls seemed to have fun. I'll post more on that later when I am not in so much pain & more cheery. I'll let you know what I find out but I'm getting very tired of this...I know, I know so many much worse, in fact, if you can say a tiny prayer my one brother's friend they just put on life support. Not sure but they think after many years he is rejecting his lung transplant? He had a few organs transplanted. It is soooo sad. So I know perspective but still....I just want a punching bag (real one!) to punch even though I know the research shows it doesn't help but make it worse. Hard to meditate right now. The girls helped just taking your mind off it...have to read or watch tv. When I just sit or don't move it it doesn't hurt so that is a good thing. See now I need a boyfriend to take my mind off it...either for a good reason or to argue even...ha! Well it would work...but that might get me in more trouble later making up! HA! Ya...I'm relaxing a tad I guess...until I have to get up to go walk & lie down...ugh! More tomorrow...OH...and then gas prices jumped from $4.19 to $4.35! UGH!!! I found one still at the low price so I topped off the 1/4 tank I used going to my folks before they go up tomorrow morning! That is outrageous to go up that much at a time! Our economy is going to crash I just know it. And nobody would even want my body if I sold it if it did crash HA! Body parts shot so who would want it ;-)

Sunday Seven

2008-07-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Oh I thought I would play a bit...

Here is my entry for Patrick's Sunday Seven. This week he wants are top 7 favorite patriotic songs. Not sure what order to place mine in though?

1. God Bless America (Celine Dion)
2. Proud To Be An American (Lee Greenwood)
3. Star Spangled Banner/National Anthem (Whitney Houston)
Ok, I'll admit...I love saying "Play Ball" after...reminds me of summer!
4. America (Neil Diamond!)
5. America, Why I Love Her (John Wayne...AWESOME!!!)
6. America the Beautiful (Elvis, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra)
7. God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood)

There you go...

What Does That Mean!

2008-07-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

These AOL features drive me nuts! They are so commercial! Take this one "It's Ok To Want Bigger & Better"...no they are not advertising Viagra! Yes, I'd probably have a problem with that too but...its about wanting a bigger diamond ring. Great! Just sell the women on the idea that the diamond is the most important thing you want from the man you supposedly love so much you would be poor with. Maybe they will change that in the vows..."For richer & even richer!" OMG! Look at this quote on the last slide of this feature...

Just because you want to upgrade your ring doesn't mean you are superficial or are not happy with your marriage. On the contrary upgrading your ring can be a testament to how much your love and relationship has grown.

So...if you can't buy a bigger one then what does that mean? He doesn't love me enough or he would get a fourth job to get it? Give me a BREAK! No wonder so many men do not want to get married. I'd be there with them! And no wonder so many divorced men are so bitter. I would be too! This should be on some pre-wedding test! Yep, I just saw the Robin Williams movie, HA, and you know what I think they should go through some type of test today! What would you put on it? So many are getting married and have not asked the right questions! I tell my students do the movie first & then go to dinner & talk. They go out for 5 years but don't even know each other because they rarely talk! Quick dinner & off to the movies. I had a female student once who was arguing with her fiance, also in my class & after she watched the Happiness video I show she no longer wanted a bigger diamond, no cared about it. (Yes, any guys who want to know the title to show your lady just email me Ha!)

Maybe it is just me...but wasn't the ring initially just a gold band. Am I saying I wouldn't want a diamond...No...but I'm also saying I don't NEED it. Our Needs & Wants have gotten so screwed up in this world today! Heck, my little niece knows even the shape I'd like (heart shape) but I wouldn't mind if it was some unique stone and setting. I have an aunt who has a emerald and it is beautiful! There is something to be said for the idea that the man you love so much you would die for (!) picked it out himself. I love asking people how they proposed etc. My one great aunt told me she didn't get a ring...she didn't want it. Her husband gave her a watch! :-) Maybe she needed that?

Why would one want to upgrade? Well, one might say as an anniversary thing/gift, but I could not get rid of the ring I was actually married in! Just do something different for an anniversary for me! If you want another band or earings but don't touch my ring. Does a bigger ring mean you will be happier? Does it mean your marriage will be more successful? Some my quip, "Ya because you made her happy." (BIG PATHETIC "HA!") I'd argue you'll be less happy & successful because this women is not grounded & does not know what is most important in life! She'll then want bigger and better on everything throughout your life. You'll never be able to make her happy! And when you don't...she'll move on to someone else who can in her mind! Just like the one slide says too...time to upgrade those earings. Good God! Get a job girl & buy your own bigger earings! I see people with all the bling & then they are complaining about gas prices or can't afford their textbooks or to eat healthier, or they are in debt until they die! That is why our economy is crashing! Yep....it is due to women (and some men!) who just don't get what is really important in life! Ok, someone can probably find something I'm not being wise on financially, I'm not perfect but at least I know that love is not shown through $$$$$.

The only thing to me that represents the committment of what a marriage means is what is in your heart and how you take that feeling and spend each moment together. That does not even require rings! As they say, the ring is just a symbol. The person who really knows what marriage is about doesn't even need that symbol! Heck, you CAN just tell someone who is "wanting to know"..."YES, I am very much in love & only want to be with him/her the rest of my life!" Now if your spouse heard that...man, no size diamond would be better than that! Would I still want to get my husband a ring. Sure, but I wouldn't not be starting out saying the most expensive or the "in thing" etc. It would be something very meaningful from me. Or heck we could do them together.

Did this piece just tick me off...OH YA!

Next Time You Think You Can't!

2008-07-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, you just have to see this video! How could you not be proud of this boy if you were his parents...heck I am! All my students are going to see this. I'd love all my students to be like this! If only everyone believed in themselves and did things like this in the world! Nike should use him for "Just Do It!" I'm telling you! Everytime you think you can't do something...think of him! Show the kids too!

What Does It Mean To You?

2008-07-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

Man, I was just telling Dusty last night when we went to bed that it is a rarity to be able to go to sleep & wake up when whenever! Yesterday that was great. This morning I wake up just before 6am. Temperature thingie. First too cold, then too hot? The birds were thrilled they had breakfast so the boys thought where is ours! Ugh...so got up and fed them...of course with each age I get older the bathroom seems to be calling me more urgently. So....I was up! No fighting it. Stayed up & did this entry a bit & a few other things for a few hours & then I couldn't keep my eyes open so I layed back down, only to wake up & my computer lost its internet connect. Its been doing this since Dell redid my operating system? Have to call them.

Well how was your 4th? Mine was a quiet one. Our town is doing fireworks tonight actually. Luckily, I just have to go right outside my door. This year it will be minus the boyfriend though. I saw some fireworks the week before for our town's festival. They were cool. I liked this video on What The Flag Means, though I wish they had more women and what happen to a more diverse population? Still a good start. So what does it mean to you? Has anyone watched The Band of Brothers series? Put it on your must watch list! Make sure to watch the actual interviews on the last disk! I watched it for my Psychology & WWII courses I took a couple of summers ago & it just amazed me & I learned soooo much!

Well more posts coming...enjoy your weekend!

Scientist Wasting Time!

2008-06-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

Ugh! Scientist are built (God knows how much time & money!) and going to switch on some Atom-Smasher in space soon...what the heck? Why aren't they building a fat shrinker...just a point & it is gone scanner...no lipo! Of all the things we could use? Give me a Break! Where is the Ice Cream that has no calories, fat or sugar but taste JUST LIKE real ice cream. They could be putting their time to soooo much better use! Lets see we get a GPS so guys don't have to leave the car & ask for directions, Viagra & now something that Smashes something...notice a pattern here? What would you want before this? Oh & they are saying they have no idea what will happen when they turn the switch on. Some are speculating all kinds of things. I can just imagine that young males...but honey we may get sucked into a black hole at any minute and you are the one I want to be with at the very end! HA! Then again I can see some older guys using that too! HA!

Yes I'm Alive & Still Want MACHO!!!

2008-06-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...its been a long time. Busy really. I have 1 class done now & just 1 more for 5 more weeks. Also just enjoying my summer a bit so...

Ok, I have so much to journal on I don't know where to start. Well first, Dell redid my computer & it has a few bugs but they are working them out. I ordered my sound card at midnight & it was here at 10am the next day! WOW! I have sound now! Woo Hoo!

I'm practically living at PT! Both feet, both knees & my hand! Ugh! Now my back for 12 more weeks! I had an MRI but the doc hadn't read it in like 6 weeks he had...ugh but he said it doesn't matter really it is how I'm feeling & if I'm doing ok then that is what is important. Well, I'm not where I want to be but that is what this summer I feel. Treadmilled an hour tonight, took a quick shower & then went to the festival to watch the fireworks. My new motto is do a bit of work, then have fun, little work, then fun! :-) I'm also trying to be more spontaneous and find things I have not done before. Today, I went to a French Market (not any different than general Farmer's Market in my opinion) that I always wanted to go to. I got some fruit and veggies! Last week I tried a new restaurant up north that was Fabulous! Mimi's Cafe...Chicken Pot Pie was AWESOME! They must have had 2 chicken breasts in it. They made it in a crock! So big it looked like I just picked at my food I had so much to take home. Saw a few movies & I'll post on them separately soon. Oh I went for acupuncture last weekend & today. Ahhhhhhh.....so relaxing!

Ok, I'm sorry but there is no way I'd go out with a guy wearing this! Maybe all the young people will get into this but I don't think the older guys will...THANK GOD! I still want MACHO!!! ;-)

I had Sam& Ella outside today...what goofs...they always go to the building across & walked along the side of it? What is up with that? It was really windy today so maybe they did not like that. The rainbow slate rock finally came in at the shop so I got some today...still need some. Trying to make them a step up to a ledge they can sunbathe & have the filter be a water fountain effect. Not perfected yet...need more slate...ugh!

OH! I got a new glide board for my Total Gym. Mine was the first model so we could not get the wheels anymore. I'm so glad to be using it again. I need to get into a consistent pattern now & with 1 less class I'm hoping I can before Fall starts.

Well, I'll try to post more tomorrow...

No Cows Yet!

2008-06-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

Well, so far I haven't seen any cows! HA! The city sirens were going off while we were in class. Our school ones were not going off so I looked up on the weather channel...tornado in our area..they just got up & I said ok. Called downstairs & they said they were looking into it & may pull it. We went down & about 5 min later they pulled the alarms. We were downstairs about 30 min & then back up for about 40 min & they pulled them again. Then we were down there more than an hour! I did an activity & taught as we sat on the floors! HA! Kept our minds off the tornado & the parking lot lights going on & off. So now I've taught while waking up on the operating table...they asked me questions to wake me up..HA...and sitting on a floor during a tornado! HA!

Finally our head of security told everyone where the current one was & heading & said he couldn't force them to stay. Some heading the opposite directions left & some stayed another 10 min. He rode up the elevator with me & down to my office to get my purse & then walked me to the door. He was wonderful & took care of us! Took me 30 min to get home. Firetrucks everywhere! Cars stranded under viaducts! You couldn't see until you got to the water. They police stopped me along the river & had us turn around & go one street over as the bigger trucks were having a difficult time. Lawns were flooding & rushing into the street. Right now they said we have already had 3 inches of rain. My lawn in flooded. Sometimes I had to go in the opposite lane to avoid the water & other times both sides just went slow & prayed!

The map is goofy...it appears the storm just stays & gets wider & redder! Ugh! I think they are popping up like crazy around me. All but one student emailed me they are home safe. Yep...I told them to! :-) Well...tornado paths change directions etc. We had one come through a few years ago. Next day damage in the trees...looked like a war zone! Not too bad but more than I saw even when I was a kid!

Right now I wish I had a set of big arms & a chest to just surround me & hold me tight and make me feel soooo safe! ;-) Certainly might keep my mind off the big cracks of thunder! ;-)

There Goes Another $7!

2008-06-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

HA...I'm telling you just order these tickets now! $7 to watch Pierce Brosnan & Colin Firth is worth it to me...and Stellan Skarsgard is a great actor too so I'd like to see what he brings to this. Meryl Streep looks quite funny. Take a look!

It's Never Too Late

2008-06-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Last night when I went to see Sex And the City they previewed some movies that look great! One is "Nights In Rodanthe" with Richard Gere & Diane Lane. Now he's another guy I would pay $7 just to watch for 2 hours! HA! It actually looks good. I really think the idea is lovely. Well, not that relationships have to come apart for someone to find their way back to love but at the same time, sometimes I think there is a reason & a purpose in the grand scheme of things. Life & people do change & sometimes that causes problems that are unrepairable. Sometimes one gets "lost" and has to find your way back during the journey of life. And it is wonderful to see a movie about this with older adults...what I mean is just not the 20 something bunch. The only problem is...this movie does not come out until Oct! I hate when they do that....show you something & it is not coming out until next year! Ugh! Now I have to wait until Oct & hopefully they will not push it back. Well, at least I have something to look forward to in the fall. ;-) Take a look at the trailer...see what you think! Richard is just Yummy!

He's Worth $7!

2008-06-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Yep...my sis came by me & we went to see Sex And The City. I wasn't a huge fan of the series...didn't watch regularly so...but I do love Chris Noth! ;-)

Now if you did not see the movie & plan to....stop here & come back after you see it!

Ok, so it was "Ok"...I don't know seemed like even 2+ hours is not enough to go into depth for all the characters. It lacked the depth I wanted. And they did a bit on Steve but I wish they did more on the guys side...I know it is about female friends but it would be great for these females to see more of what they men go through & vice versa! They could have done sooooo much more.

I loved what John was really about "I just want to be with you". That was lovely. I agree on the "We" vs "I" which I think all of them struggle in life about. I liked the message at the end about labels also! That was good but still found it too much about fashion etc....but that is not my life & what I value so...

I really liked that John did want the romance part...from my experience there ae many men who want the romance also. That is when you see their lovely spirit. And you know what they say...ignore everything he says & just watch what he does! :-) I sometimes forget that but when I do notice that they always come around you so that they walk on the side where the cars would be to protect you...man nothing like that feeling. When they go out of their way & find something you didn't even know existed but it is something you just love...woo hoo. I think Carrie missed that initially & Samantha just totally misses it. I think the writers really missed something with Samantha...they do not delve enough into her character to see why she would rather be attached...and after 5 yrs...I didn't buy it. There was so much more they could of done with her...they hinted at couple of different paths they could of taken...I mean the way they left her...where will she be at 55 yrs? There are some deeper issues she is not dealing with that is for sure!

And John being there to save her shoes....WOW!!!! He is dreamy also...and all I got to say is if guys look like that in their 50s I'm still willing to go older...noooo not just looks it is just personality with it. It isn't that I don't care about that but there are some mighty fine looking men out there that are very ugly guys. Yes, same true for women. John's character is soooo sweet...worried he would screw up again after 2 & also needing to go in with her...ahhhh I just melted! I'd love that! The "just you & me" YEP! I totally agree!

It also is so true how sometimes things get screwed up by texts & phone messages being missed or ignored, things don't always get discussed the way they should. I know people do get scared sometimes & don't say what they want to say either & others do influence them. Sad! What could be? I know you don't know for sure but to "want to" and not take the chance just seems so sad to me. Take the risk at least you know you tried.

I love the simply vows she says he can say...'I will always love you'.

Here is the Beethoven letter from the movie:

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours

I'm still thinking...so maybe more later... ;-)

Close One!

2008-05-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Wow! Did you see all those Moods to choose from! I couldn't decide! YAAAA! I'm so glad. Think they can get more fonts now? Double Wow...look what is in my backyard! Ugh!!! I was at an antique place this afternoon talking to someone inside by the front door & I saw the lightning flash inside. He was looking outside & saw it hit the utility pole across the street. 4 foot flames he said! I'm so glad I was not outside then! Dusty & Country are at the sliding door sniffing at the screen...hmm? They are listening to the birds chirping like crazy also! It is a bit green around here...odd looking! I'm so glad they fixed my screen door finally! I can never hear the tornado alarm in town with my door shut & the tv on...heck even with the tv off. I figure Dusty & Country will let me know before the alarms even go off...you know how animals are! Well, if you don't hear from me over the weekend...I blew away! HA!

I'll Take the Funny Man!

2008-05-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo...George is on the Market again! Come on over George....

Pixar's WALL * E

2008-05-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I just got done watching the Pixar Story on HBO. It was really great! Man it looks like so much fun to work for them but it probably is needed to balance out the hard work they put in. At the end they highlighted WALL*E coming out in June. Have you been seeing it in the previews of other movies you have been attending lately? I have & it looks really cute!

I loved when the director explained what WALL*E is all about & it touched my heart even more. WALL*E is fascinated with every aspect of life! How can you not like that. Do you think he thinks too much! HA! Andrew Stanton, the director & screenwriter, was discussing WALL*E & he was one of his favorite characters because he was so persistent & tenacious about EVE the robot he falls in love with. Here is some interview clips with him! Another written interview he said he was just a romantic...well I can see that & I find men like that just soooo adorable! ;-) I can't wait to see the movie. It opens June 27th!

Just another chuckle...

2008-05-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

My dad emailed me this & it is funny...something he would love...the play on words stuff!

1. My first job was working in an Orange Juice factory, but I got canned. I couldn't concentrate.

2. Then I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.

3. After that, I tried to be a Tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it -- mainly because it was a sew-sew job.

4. Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory, but that was too exhausting.

5. Then, I tried to be a Chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.

6. Next, I attempted to be a Deli Worker, but any way I sliced it I couldn't cut the mustard.

7. My best job was a Musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.

8. I studied a long time to become a Doctor, but I didn't have any patience.

9. Next, was a job in a Shoe Factory. I tried but I just didn't fit in.

10. I became a Professional Fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net inc ome.

11. I managed to get a good job working for a Pool Maintenance Company, but the work was just too draining.

12. So then I got a job in a Workout Center , but they said I wasn't fit for the job.

13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a Historian - until I realized there was no future in it.

14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.

SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT AND FOUND THAT I'M PERFECT FOR THE JOB

A bit of Humor...

2008-05-26T23:02:00.000-07:00

I just offer this for humor! I thought is was funny, no matter what you might identify with...

GOD ENJOYS A GOOD LAUGH!

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:

1. He called everyone brother
2. He liked Gospel
3. He didn't get a fair trial

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:

1. He went into His Father's business
2. He lived at home until he was 33
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:

1. He talked with His hands
2. He had wine with His meals
3. He used olive oil

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:

1. He never cut His hair
2. He walked around barefoot all the time
3. He started a new religion

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian:

1. He was at peace with nature
2. He ate a lot of fish
3. He talked about the Great Spirit

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:

1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:

1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was virtually no food
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it
3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do.

Ultimate Fredian Slip...LOVE!

2008-05-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

That was just tooooo funny! But also so adorable! Garth had the best Freudian slip calling Reba "Miss Yearwood"...when he was going to say "I Love You, I Love You, I Love You!" See how deep down to the core of his soul it goes! It just comes from the unconscious! When you love someone you can't fool the unconscious...it knows when you might want to deny it even! You don't know why...you just do & couldn't stop it even if you wanted to. Time doesn't even kill it...it never dies! It just "is"....

And Yes...God "Put A Girl In It"! ;-)

2008-05-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

YES!!!! Happy Dance! Brooks & Dunn win! I love that idea "Put a Girl In It!" (listen) I believe God did that for a VERY GOOD REASON! HA! But then again...lets do some EQUAL time...none of it would be worth it to me without a GUY in it! ;-) Yep...even when they are dorky, and being "a guy" ha! Just like when they put up with our stupid girly stuff! (kiss, kiss...we love ya!)

I Saw God Today!

2008-05-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

Have you heard George Straits new song? It is just lovely! Very good to think about! Think? Thnk? Oh no...I'm on vacation...I'm not suppose to be thinking! HA!

It really is true...to see God...or Love in EVERYTHING! When you see that person who is just being...poopie...thinking that this person is a struggling person or maybe or having a bad day...just maybe...a test to see if you will send love & kindness in return or just be poopie back is something to really remember to contemplate. I'm just as bad & struggling to think at times...more when I am tired or just not seeing life for how clear it really is...when you just be still and bring life back to what it is all about...LOVE!

Ok, gotta go watch some more...Brooks & Dunn & Garth is coming up! ;-)

Woo Hoo...Here I Come Summer!

2008-05-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo!

I'm so excited! Can you tell...except that I'm ready to crash! I was up until 4:30am grading & had to get up at 9:30 to get to campus & finish up. Right on the money...except I have a few lingering students with uncooperative documents that have to be resolved on Monday! No problem! Tomorrow is Graduation & I already went looking for flowers for my deck on my way home! I'm soooo eager to start summer!

Problem is I have this ear thing going on..both ears...doc wants me to take Mucinex & the pharmicist is like that is just for chest...it better work after spending my money on it. I also have a night class which starts Mon but it is still so much more relaxing! It is just 6 weeks also & but then I have 1 8 week also too that will start up. God knows just for gas money it is needed much less medical bills...like I could even have fun this summer...ha!

Now that moment comes back...what do I do first?!!! I hate that feeling! So much put on hold for a bit & you want to catch up & do but...well small steps & it doesn't matter as long as I do something. I went to lunch & read more of Randy Pausch's book. I'm probably 1/2 way done with it. It is very good. More than the lecture on the web so that is good. One of my goals is to just spend time sitting relaxing & reading! That is what I should do...make a To Do List! Keep it organized a bit in my scattered tired brain right now. What surprises will this summer bring? Hopefully only good ones! Last summer I got a boyfriend! HA! Then again that ended after 7 mo but hey we had fun so...

I want to go back to the Art Museum & maybe some other things in Chicago...A Cubs game this year would be nice! :-) Next Thurs when I go for PT maybe I'll make a day of it since I'll be down there anyway! Well, fed the birds, called the folks...you don't want to know....93 in AZ! Ugh! Trying to stall falling asleep so I can get up early tomorrow. I'm too pooped to cook and I already went out to the local chinese buffet for lunch but...I think I just may go out for some dinner. I think I'll head to this big nursery we have not too far from here tomorrow after graduation & get my deck looking all summery! Got to get my hands playing in some dirt to feel like it is summer! :-)

At least it looks like we will have some 70s next week. It is staying cool longer this spring. I need to go through my whole garage & have a garage sale this summer...in top 10 in my to do list! Organize also...with my back & foot things got really unorganized in there not being able to pull down totes etc. Have to just be careful so I don't screw up anything though this summer...I want a summer with no injuries! Fishing...I want to go Fishing! I haven't been in such a long time! Just relax & listen to the nature sounds...ahhh! Ok, I better go have some dinner so I can come back & crash! More tomorrow...

Google Doodle

2008-05-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here is one I voted for...vote for your favorite Google Doodle. There are some really great ones from each age group! I wish I could draw that well! That side of my brain did not get developed or some extra help from God when I was designed! Ha! Too bad I can't order some extra software! :-) I would love to learn how to water color one day! I love making things though & decorating or making collages with my powerpoint etc. Maybe it is just a different kind of art. Well, let me know which ones you voted for & then I'll let you know my others.

Go Speed Go!

2008-05-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I just had to tell you, in my opinion those critics are idiots! HA! My brothers, little niece & I went to see Speed Racer on the IMAX this weekend & it was sold out & AWESOME! Every was so into it. They were clapping, laughing, cheering etc. My niece & her father were at the edge of their seats at times! I want to go again! :-)

I LOVED the racetracks! Sooooo cool! Like the most incredible roller coasters...well you know I love them!

Also, the little boy playing Spritle was so perfect & just hysterical!

Totally worth the money! Before the movie was over I said to my niece...where is the Playstation 2 for this! :-) I want to race! I want car seats & accessories! Ha!

Here is a link with some cool shirts!

And here is the official site with products!

I must admit also...Racer X was mighty fine! ;-) Apparently he is from Lost??? HA! No, I don't watch Lost so I had no clue. Ooooo he is only 1 year 4 months younger than me....I can do that! ;-) Dang...married...Oh well...I can still have him in my dreams though! Ha!

I loved how the movie would go back to their memories, I loved the colors overall & then of the clothes etc. I thought the plot was ok. I mean sure you kinda know what will happen but come on we watched it as a kid...who cares! Just enjoy!

Well let me know what you think...and sooo worth on the IMAX!

1 Week to Summer!

2008-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Dance!

Classes ended yesterday! Finals is next week & then my Summer begins! :-) I'm sooo happy...except one minor problem...my ears are killing me down through to my throat since night before last. I think my glands are swollen. Students are sick so they probably shared! I looked in my throat last night & red stripes down the sides & then some red bumps scattered. It doesn't hurt in my throat just hard to swallow. Ugh!!! I went & got soup, kleenex, some OJ (low acid) and some sugar free strawberry swirl ice cream. I wanted ice more but the popsicles that were sugar free I didn't like the flavors.

I get to see my niece this weekend but I'm bummed I won't get to hug her & kiss her to death now. We are going to see Speed Racer on the IMAX with her daddy & uncle. Gotta have a bit of fun to balance out all the grading I have to do. Well do a happy dance...it is the weekend!

Ouch!

2008-05-02T00:33:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Came home today after my first class! I woke up with a migraine that was going away & when I was in class it was just getting so bad. Took my meds & sat in my dark office for 30 min & started my next class off to finish their video on dreams and then drove home. I probably shouldn't have...borderline. Sometimes I have and then after my head is better I realized I should not have. I think this time not too bad. Been battling it all day/night. I was so upset to miss my 1 day a week class when next week is our last week but I didn't have a choice. We'll see how tomorrow goes. Weird thing is it kinda makes sense...Mon & Tues I felt weird...too rushed not just running around though. Hard to explain. End the term gets like this sometimes and considering I'm not able to do my tai chi right now...that use to really helped. I don't remember the last time I had a migraine, don't get them that often now.

Last night/this morning I had a very interesting dream though. Pieces but I remember there was a guy I think in a green military uniform? I saw him sitting...well I saw his long leg. He appeared to be long legged probably tall & thin or rather not too wide of a guy. I know this seem odd but to me I thought of Will Smith. Ha! Ya, I didn't see a face or any skin color so I'm not sure why I think that but? But anyway the scene where I see the green pants is because I think I spilled a can of pop by his leg & I was apologizing like crazy and trying to wipe it up. He wasn't moving really & then he moved his leg a bit, grabbed my arm & said my name & said, "Its ok, its ok, don't worry" and it was this intense feeling like he was not upset with me and nothing I could do would upset him and I had this feeling of solid and secure and he wasn't going anywhere. Interesting hmmm! Ya I think so too. Then later I'm at some window like reception and it looked like I had this key chain of little papers I got at the Container store to quick write things. Mine are light pink. Well I had those with a few spread out showing the color and one other one a bit of a medium pink and I remember asking the person "Do you think the maid of honor should have a different color to make her special." Wow! Wonder where all this is coming from? Well I do have 2 cousins getting married & sending their shower invitations and magnets with their website etc so...I'm not sure on the pink though. My mom had that for her wedding...I don't think I would pick that for me though. I always wanted one near Christmas or if I did summer then maybe lavender? Strange...you know now that I think about it...we had tons of officers for a career thing on campus maybe that is where the uniform came from? Although it was dark green?

Well we'll see if I continue the dream tonight...ha!

And they pick this job! :-)

2008-04-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Just some of the perks of the job! RIGHT! And you know he isn't bad looking I might add! :-) (Video)

Having lived with a Python for a bit & having it escape with 2 25lb dumb bells on the top of the cage, it just gives me the willies! I had just gotten use to petting the thing when it escaped. And then there was almost stepping on it while it was sleeping in the bathtub as I entered to take a shower on 2 occasions...UGH!

They can slay a dragon for me any day! :-)

No Hitter for Jenny Finch

2008-04-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Well having spent a number of Bandits Games with my niece & her friend last summer, I was excited to see Jenny Finch on AOL this morning celebrating her No-Hitter for the US! :-) Breaking up with my "inside connection" there on New Years Day will not prevent me from taking my niece & her friends this summer, who BTW have been hounding me for 2 months now about when their season starts back up! First home game June 6th! Their location has moved though further north, which I'm not too happy about but heck, the girls have soooo much fun! 3 weeks & then finals & my summer vacation begins! I'm I excited or what?! HA!

2008-04-20T01:59:00.000-07:00

I'm soooooooo frustrated right now. I'm not lying!!! I have been on the phone with Dell from 11pm...it is now 3:45am & I just got off. Ok, I'm trying to get the Service Pack 2 that I didn't have on my computer. It said 'Access was Denied' so I call them...they do some things remotely & then I'm getting blue screens & they can't get me in. They say I may have lost everything & I swear they are soooo lucky they are in a different country! They finally get me to a restored mode & all my files are present. I do however have to go out & get like 2 flash drives tomorrow to save them all. I have almost 5 GB of files. Ugh! Powerpoints & pix for my students no doubt.Then they are DHLing me a new Windows with Service Pack 2 on it & we are going to try to redo everything. It was working fine before the first girl started to do things to my computer! I was tired in the first place & now I'm up until 4am and I was planning on getting up early & working on my deck & cleaning & organizing. Right! I was doing some things as they were working on my computer...2 laods of laundry, dishwasher, trash etc but I'm just not a happy camper right now. My computer is 5 years old but it was still working perfectly fine for me. I just wanted to get the Service Pack 2 on there so I could get the Office 2007 on it because they upgraded at work & it is just getting too confusing without it & the only way I will learn all the changes is if I am forced to use it.

Well, I better get some sleep. I went up north to a big craft show today & got just a few things & then went to The Container Store & then the Wal Mart they had there for cat food & a few things. The Container Store has the Casabella products. I like the gloves & the sponge clothes. I use the gloves for my turtle tank & then when I'm using cleaning products. I was getting a bit of my headache back on & off as I had yesterday all day. When I was at PT it got better all of a sudden. I'm thinking it is Sinus & something I did shifted the pressure. I was fine this morning but it was sneaking up a bit throughout the day. I opened my car windows a bit & that helped I think.My bro had a headache too...I think it is the barometric pressure & the rain etc. I always seem to have problems in April. We've had cooler weather so maybe it was a bit delayed. Walgreens faxed my allergist Wed but he hasn't gotten back to them. Ugh.

Well off to bed. I hope I can sleep in a bit & still get a good amount done tomorrow. Dell better get my computer working or they are getting to hear about it.

Not Shaken nor Stirred! ;-)

2008-04-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...that was really bad! HA! Seriously, though, maybe I rolled over but I had no clue we had an earthquake! I guess I just like the other way the earth can move! HA! ;-)

I was so exhausted though & still am! What a week! And then I thought the guys next door would sleep in since they were partying last night...nope up at 8:30 working on their deck! Ugh! I have had a headache all day & still do! My PT guy for my ankles & knees killed me on the Total Gym yesterday. My Quads & one hamstring are so sore! Well, you don't challenge a high need for achiever you know! Nothing worse then telling me I can't do something! I'll show you...right I'm the one that suffers now! Then I had to go to Chicago today for my back PT ugh. I did it though. Came home & filled my new bird feeder & hung it & then filled the others and then ate a little dinner. Trying to get rid of this headache but I may just have to get the ice pack out? I had one on it while I did the stem at PT & it helped? Lights are bothering me too. Hopefully it will be gone tomorrow...lots to do this weekend.

Well...more later..

This weekend

2008-04-13T22:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I went to see Nim's Island with my bros & my niece Sat. I really liked it. I'm not sure for the same reasons they did...I just kept thinking of living on that island preferrably with someone of the male persuasion! ;-) Heck, you fight you can go to your respected sides of the island for a little while & then make up later! HA! It looked soooo lovely...ok except for the SuperWorms. Heck Sam & Ella eat them & they never look tasty to me. Sam & Ella would love the island. Not sure if my boys would? Oh & especially since there was a supply boat coming once a week...that is a plus! :-) I could still get my magazines and books! HA! Lets see what else...SPF gotta have, think Victoria Secret would deliver? Then again, island alone with one guy...not many Secrets! HA! The movie was cute & Jodi Foster's character can be used for my Abnormal Psych class! YA! I did like the guy in the movie...very cute! My niece told me he is in P.S. I Love You also. I didn't get to see that. I'll see if it is at our SuperSaver.

I took my little niece to Barnes & Noble to get the book. She was listening to music there for a while also. I picked up the cd to "A Lot Like Love" & then Paul Potts...he's the guy who was selling cell phones & did opera for the British American Idol & just blew everyone away! I love the emotion that I feel when I listen to him, Il Divo, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli etc. They reach something so deep in me. [Funny the opera scene in Fifth Element is on right now! :-) ] I got the new Scientific American Mind also. I need to really order that.

Then we picked up pizza & had a little party for me. My bro got me a big chocolate chip cookie with Happy Birthday on it. I'll add the picture here after he emails it to me. He got me a subscription to Oprah's Magazine. Well, I buy it on the stands, so cheaper this way. I don't know why I haven't renewed it. My sis said she was coming down with a cold so we post-poned the party a bit until 2 weeks from now. But then my bro later said she was on a date Sat night so...but maybe she just had things to do on Sun? I don't know? My little niece was making sure we would have the Portillo's chocolate cake then. HA! So I told her sister to come in 2 weeks. My folks have colds again in AZ. 2nd one they've had this winter. Hmmm? I think I did have an allergic reaction to something last week Monday. I was almost better the next morning & by Wed fine. I was soooo thrilled! Colds don't go away that fast. I was sneezing & had a stuffy & runny nose...I have no clue what it was that bothered me though.

Then my niece rented Alvin & the Chipmunks. My bros had not seen it. I love the dishwasher scene! Sunday we went to Bob Evans for breakfast & then I took my little niece to Wild Birds Unlimited to get myself a new finch feeder. I've had this style for about 3 years now (below). It has a yellow cap on the bottom & the perches are different colors. I love it. Got my folks one for here & in AZ & last year they bought one for a friend out there that liked theirs from the year before. When I was putting up my lights I realized mine had had it. BTW...my lights are out already! Ugh! Have to go see why tomorrow morning. I was ready to head to bed about 11 but I put some laundry in & did a few things around here. Going to sleep in just a bit. Man...odd for me. I took my little niece to Michaels also to see if they had the marble cross they broke on me not wrapping it before they placed it in my bag. They are small ones you can make things with. I'm making some keychains. She wanted something to do so I got her a paint by number set. Do you remember those? :-) It was only $3.99 & the butterflies kites I got we couldn't do today, though we saw one flying in the subdivision...just too coold for me today. She did a bit of the painting & left it to dry for next time. She was sooooo excited.

I took her home this evening & then stopped at our new Super Walmart for some "fishies" for my boys...they were completely out & I would have been in big trouble. My tummy has been bothering me a bit though? Something at Bob Evans I guess? Well, I'm going to go lay down. I'm sure I'll be out not long after that. See...1am already! HA!

Here's Your Sign!

2008-04-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is just pathetic! Did you see they made a mint that will get rid of alcohol breath?

I just can't believe people would waste their time on this instead of solving major life problems! Actually, they are making it worse! I'm telling you if I were to get hit by a drunk driver and I found out they used this, I'm not only suing the person but the manufacturer. I can just see a lawsuit any day now as it is! To me it would be like making condoms with holes in them! To put people's lives in danger...how do these people sleep at night? Probably came up with some pill for themselves too.

I have no problem using it for other nasty breath but...I know it is not like the only thing to assess, but I can just see people using this so they can go to lunch & have a few or my students coming into class when they have been drinking! No, I'm sure there are also some faculty, considering all people do stupid things like this. And heck kissing someone who smokes would be better...though I don't think I would date someone who smokes even with that. I don't know...what do you think?

Picked the Wrong One

2008-04-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Well was I wrong! (shakes head!)

If you recall I thought at the beginning of the High School Reunion show that Justin was very attractive & looked sweet etc. Of course each show they focus on someone else & some you don't know much about so I try not to be too hard on myself because at the time he seemed that way. Unfortunately, he is a dog now! HA! I think they should have have another show or two because the ending seemed too rushed to a wrap up & there needed to be more explanation on things!
Justin going on overnights & not feeling like DeAnna did is just totally a dog to me! He does not have a great spirit. To lead her on like that is just very mean. I think he just enjoyed the fact that he got all the attention for being more attractive now & that DeAnna did like him. I wonder if he had a bit of I'll show her & hurt her like she mad me feel back then. So sad IF that is the case! I mean they were young then & sometimes one has noooo clue someone likes them. Granted she has been divorced quite a few times & they don't show us everything & they never explained his situation but he is divorced also. Hard to tell with any of them really but...just seems like with him not explaining why he didn't havae a reason. He should explain why or just say I need time to get to know you or something? Who knows...maybe she wasn't great in the sack or something? Maybe that is all he wanted? God only knows. They really didn't show him opening up like Matt did.

I did really feel Matt was just soooo much more of a wonderful man! I think I'd pick him out of the whole bunch. Rob didn't do it at all. I like being wild & fun but he just didn't seem like there was a seriousness to him (maybe they didn't show it) he would just say "That's Cool" ugh! Matt knows what it is about...seems more solid. Fun and sweet yet still totally a guy. Very protective and caring. I think he would be quite attentive & giving.

Mike & his best friend Steve irritated me so much. They are just such losers. Didn't look like they have changed at all & grown. Just party & fight etc.

The millionaire Sean seemed a bit superficial? But again, they didn't talk alot to him. And Kirstin just drove me nuts. I just wanted to shake the two of them & say where is the real person in there. Man! Just weird. The Bully Jason, he may be less of a bully now but he was still too thuggish for me. Glenn seemed nice but kinda whinny to me. I suppose it is all relative though so...

It would be great to see what happens to all of them in like a year. Of course Yvette not being totally honest with Matt is not right in my book either! And to do that to him is even worse considering he was really taking a chance with the first time since his wife died. Why didn't she just tell everyone she had a boyfriend right away? The girls were talking about their relationships earlier on??? They do kinda seem like a fit? Hard to tell though.

So did you watch? What did you think?

Primetime Tonight: Dr. Randy Pausch

2008-04-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I don't know how many of you viewed Dr. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture last fall when it circulated. If you did not click the link below:

http://www.cmu.edu/uls/journeys/

Tonight Primetime (ABC) is having a Special on him. I have the link below to watch a preview of it.

http://abcnews.go.com/gma/lastlecture

He is such an inspiration! I don't know how he does it. I'm not sure I would have such courage & calm! Heck, many of us can't be calm just on the road with a slow driver or when they put cans with our eggs! HA!

It also is a reminder....DON'T WAIT! Live with your heart NOW! Get what you want out of life NOW! There really may not be tomorrow...heck even this afternoon! No, I don't mean to be morbid here, just that I have met many people who just don't take the chance! They seem to not care they are unhappy or they just don't think they deserve to be or they don't know how to start! Just take a baby step! Call her! Be a Fool! Take the chance! Have passion in your life!

Loretta LaRoche always says, "This is it folks, its not a dress rehearsal!" We all need to be reminded of this. We get bogged down with just living life & was it John Lennon who said "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans"? I was watching "A Lot Like Love" this weekend (in the background while I worked) and I'm not a big Kutcher fan, but I like his little smile sometimes. It is more on the story how they keep meeting and eventually it works out...TIMING...there are other movies like that too...but his brother is on the beach telling him "This is it! Life goes on by, it doesn't wait for you to get over things" (something like that!) and in "Something's Gotta Give" Diane Keaton's character tells Amanda Peet (she's in both) "What are you waiting for?" Then in "The Family Stone" Diane Keaton tells Dermot Mulroney "I'd hate to see you miss out on something because you have this picture in your head...you can't fix it!" Does there seem to be a pattern here...not only messages but people! Ha!

P.S. I love the scene in The Family Stone where th guys are chasing each other...Craig T. Nelson says "Come on...someone is going to get hurt" OMG...is that my father! HA! I love the idea too that life can be confusing & just have twists & turns but it eventually all works out. Hmmm...

Ok, I got my Recorder set....set yours for tonight! I'll be back to post on it after I watch it I'm sure!

Not a Good Start! Ugh!

2008-03-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well, the only thing that makes is a bit better with a bad start to the Cubs season is.....

The Soxs Chocked after being tied! :-)