Slyeyes' Ramblings

Hmmmmmm

2010-06-17T21:52:00.001-05:00

mmmmmmmm.

I should really think about a new post.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY

2009-11-07T08:09:00.002-06:00

Horseshoe Falls, view from Canada, November 1, 2009

Ben and Meghan at Glen Falls Park, Williamsville, NY, November 2, 2009

Halloween in the Cemetery

2009-11-01T21:53:00.001-06:00

Cemetary in Clarence, New York; 2009

PHOTO OF THE DAY

2009-10-28T06:42:00.003-05:00

Sunset on Art Hill, Forest Park, St. Louis; August 2009

PHOTO OF THE DAY

2009-10-26T21:38:00.004-05:00

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park (The Arch Grounds); St. Louis, Missouri, October 2009

I'M BA-A-A-A-CK (for now)

2009-10-25T14:06:00.007-05:00

After dusting the place, opening the windows and airing it out, I've decided to stay, for a little bit. I'm still thinking about moving.

But in the meantime, I'd like to share with you the autumn we've been having. I couldn't decide between the photo above, and the one below. So I decided to go with both.

As I was walking around the Arch grounds this weekend, I ventured into the museum at the base of the Arch. There, I found out that it turns 45 this week; October 28. There was even birthday cake being offered for the weekend visitors.

Isn't is great that for it's 45th autumn, the Arch and the area around it are so colorful.

The photos above and below are a little "postcardie", but I still like them

And I didn't spend all of my time down at the Arch. The colors in my neighborhood are just as great; although photographing them can be more challenging; what with overhead powerlines and all. But I did manage to dodge most of them.

This is not my house, but near by.

I could avoid most of the powerlines, but not the parked cars.

City Hall.

The local fishing hole; Walker Pond in Kirkwood Park.

And that concludes today's autumn walk. There may be more. Or not. Who knows. But I'll leave you with this one:

ANNOUNCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-08-15T02:06:00.002-05:00

This couple......

Jenni and Tim, on or near February 26, 2010* will become the proud parents of this person

Yes. This is the first picture that I posted of my first grandchild.

*or on or near March 5, 2010 if you are using a metric calendar.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE DISTRACTION: ARCH MADNESS

2009-08-07T23:01:00.004-05:00

It was a really big flower.

Those lights in the upper right hand corner....a jet maybe??

If I wasn't so lazy tonight, I would delete those power lines. They are annoying.

Fun with zooming!!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE DISTRACTION

2009-07-28T22:47:00.002-05:00

There's a chance progress may be made this weekend.

But you didn't hear it from me.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

2009-07-10T09:21:00.002-05:00

After giving it much consideration, I've decided to move my blog. I've taken up photography and the hope is that the new place will be a better place to display my efforts.

This decision was actually made some time ago (thus no new posts since Memorial Day). But I haven't had much time to work on the construction. I'm down at Lake of the Ozarks this weekend. "Sleeping In" was on the schedule of activities for this morning, but a thunderstorm trashed those plans.

Instead of sleeping, I'll work on my construction project.

I will leave you with this for now. It is my current favorite picture.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2009-07-04T18:28:00.000-05:00

Change is in the wind.

Stay tuned.

POTPOURRI OF PHOTOS

2009-05-30T08:20:00.019-05:00

More photos of Memorial Day Weekend and Niagara Falls. This is one of my favorite shots of the Falls. Don't know why, I just like it.

But this is another favorite. It looks like the Maid of the Mist is getting ready to sail right into the waterfall. It also looks like it's a cold, rainy day. It wasn't. It was a beautifully sunny day.

Niagara River. And another favorite picture. But then, would I post photos that weren't my favorite?

No.

If there's no sea, just a lake and river, are these birds still called seagulls? I shall call him Jonathan.

Bridal Veil Falls.

Love birds with Bridal Veil Falls in background.

Copy cats.

Part of Horseshoe Falls. And, another favorite picture.

Some one's outfit happened to coordinate with the "free shoes" at Cave of the Winds. But after donning the yellow ponchos, fashion went out the window. Or down the falls.

There was the obligatory tourist ritual of handing expensive cameras to complete strangers and asking them to take your picture.

And then there were the shy "no pictures, please" tourists. Maybe he (or she?) is in The Witness Protection Program.

Pedestrian Bridge leading to Cave of the Winds at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. There really was no cave. At least none that we could enter.

This picture got out of order, but I'm too lazy to change things around.

Ben closely guarded the frisbee.

You can tell by the dry hair that this picture is also out of order.

We didn't spend the entire weekend at Niagara Falls. Jenni is preparing strawberries for a chocolate fondue. Which, yum. The sink is shorter than hers, thus that bizarre straddle thing going on. Either that or she's found the long lost 6th ballet position.

Aren't they sweet???

The sisters strike a similar pose during a game of washers with their hubbies.

If she wasn't Meghan, she wouldn't be worrying. She's probably worrying that this picture is also out of order. Oh well.

The guys played video games in the Man Cave for 4 hours. We should have used the opportunity to go shoe shopping at the Niagara Falls outlet mall.

Then I flew back home to St. Louis, getting my flight changed several times due to delays. Because I was had a Business Select ticket, I got two free drink coupons every time there was a change to my itinerary. Which went unused since I had morning flights and was going to work straight from the airport. Oh well, another day, another flight.

Later in the week, I took in the Rose Show at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Yes, I know these aren't roses. They are glass bulbs by Chihuly from the Glass in the Garden exhibit.

These geese.....

...are also these geese. Same photo, just cropped differently. I think I like the top picture better.

It rained that evening, but not enough to spoil the view.

In fact, it enhanced it.

Oh look, a rose at the Rose Show.

I decided to get a little artsy fartsy with this picture of Kathy walking across the foot bridge.

But all of these pictures of the beautiful grounds at the Garden reminds me that I need to put away the computer and go work in my garden. After all of the rain, the weeds are overtaking the lettuce and spinach.

NIAGARA FALLS

2009-05-24T08:05:00.004-05:00

People of a certain age will remember this.

"Ni-a-gara Falls.....slowly I turned,
step by step
inch by inch......

I'm up here in Buffalo with all the kids and we went to Niagara Falls where that phrase played an endless loop in my brain yesterday, thankyouvery much Moe, Larry and Curly. And Dad for being a Stooges Fan.

I first visited The Falls (mumble) decades ago with my parents when I was 14. As one of my sons-in-laws pointed out, The Falls were very young then, but a trickle.

But at that time, the Cave of the Winds tour took us BEHIND the falls, which was awesome. Now, the tour takes you to the bottom of The Falls. Where you get splashed and get very very very wet. If you wish, there's a section where you can dash into the water and and your poncho can get ripped to shreds. Apparently, this is fun. It sure was fun watching it.

The wooden steps leading to the Cave of the Winds is taken down every year and re-built for the season. Here's a question -- how do they do that?? Do they turn off the falls?

But as we were clamboring up and down the stairs and wading into very cold water and then suddenly encountering a flood of cold water swirling about your feet, I thought we should be hearing Celine Dion singing My Heart Will Go On and we'd run into Jack and Rose. Except that this was more fun than a sinking ship.

Here are a few shots of the day.... there will be more later.

Is he thinking about throwing the Frisbee across Niagara River?

THE LAKE

2009-05-16T05:58:00.006-05:00

A couple of weekends ago, I went to The Lake with a couple of friends. In this area, The Lake refers to Lake of the Ozarks.

Now, you'd think that after spending a weekend at The Lake with friends, and my camera, that I'd have a lot of pictures of my friends, wouldn't you.

Well, you'd be wrong.

Whenever I got out my camera, my friends would dive behind afghans or curtains, shouting for me to "put that thing away!"

I did get shots of unsuspecting birds.....

....fisherman in the rain......

....and a ruin. Hmmm. I need to straighten that shot.

In my photography class, a number of my fellow students have gone to the bluffs up in Alton or to The BIrd Sanctuary and got some great shots of eagles and owls in flight.

While at The Lake, I got a blurry picture of a turkey buzzard.

Then we went shopping. It was the same Saturday as the Kentucky Derby, so I considered this hat for Derby watching.

I said I didn't get any photos of my friends; but that's Pat sitting behind me looking quite dubious about that hat.

Then we went to the Coach store, where I scored on a sale.

I took those pictures with my iPhone after I got home so I could e-mail them to my sister. I got the yellow one for her. She arrived at my house last night and liked it so much, that I think she slept with it under her pillow last night.

That was to keep her daughter from stealing it.

A MOVING EXPERIENCE

2009-05-15T18:43:00.005-05:00

My parents are moving.

They need a shorter commute. To the dining hall. They live at a retirement center in a very nice apartment on the first floor at the end of the hallway. This is convenient as they have a nice little patio. But it's inconvenient because when one of them is ill, it's a long walk down one hallway, up an elevator two floors and down another hallway to the dining hall.

After Mom had her knee surgery, Dad would often drive her to the dining hall. From the outside, door to door, it's the equivalent of a drive across the parking lot. It was such a short driving distance that if they didn't put on their seat belts, the seat belt chime would sound like this; "Ding di-"

When Dad was going through chemo, he often couldn't make the walk to the dining hall and back, so Mom would get carry out for him. An opportunity came along where they can move into a unit that is four doors down from the dining rooms. They took it.

So.

We get to move them in a few weeks. Short moves such as this can be deceptively evil. A person tends to think they can carry a little bit now and then and get it done. Such as moving an entire apartment's worth of books, clothes and possessions in a shopping cart or laundry baskets--- as if we'd let that happen.

Not that any actual packing has been done to date. So far we've organized the storage bins.

Then we reorganized the storage bins.

Then we re re organized the storage bins.

Then we -- well, you get the picture.

This weekend, family is arriving from all corners (except Texas ----- ahem!) and we are going to get started on the packing. And first things first. We are going to padlock the storage bins. Those are DONE!!!!!

Second thing, we're going to take control of the thermostat. The last time we were all together in their apartment, we roasted.

Wish us luck.

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, BEN!

2009-04-28T06:42:00.005-05:00

Sunday was Ben's birthday.

I didn't forget it; I spent the weekend in the garden where there is no wi-fi.

.

A year and one week ago, Ben became my son-in-law.....

.....and it was a good thing.

I did send him a gift in a timely fashion, but when I visit in May, I might give him a new pair of sunglasses.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR BIRTHDAY, BEN!! (and I hope Red Lobster was worth the trip)

HUCKLEBERRY

2009-04-20T23:09:00.029-05:00

Today's post is all about the many sides of Huckleberry.

There's dancing Huckleberry......

........flying Huckleberry.............

.................................................loving Huckleberry...............

.............................................................................sidewinding Huckleberry...........

................................................snapping Huckleberry..........

...............................stalking Hucklebery............

.........and Tim.

I got these pictures of Huckleberry when Tim hit the ball in the back yard and then we watched him go crazy. Huckleberry, that is. Not Tim.

And lastly, there was sleeping Huckleberry.

At least he would get some sleep if I would put the camera down and leave him alone.

WINNING DAY AT THE BALLPARK

2009-04-09T21:03:00.002-05:00

I was able to score a couple of great tickets to this afternoon's game against Pittsburgh.

Even though it rained during a lot of the game, we were under cover, toasty and happy

Beer and brats for lunch.

An afternoon away from the office, phone and computer. But best of all,

WE WON!!!!!

OPENING DAY!! and other stuff

2009-04-05T20:53:00.011-05:00

Tomorrow, April 6, is baseball's Opening Day!!! (except for two games last night) And the Cardinals open at home this year. I love the first day of a new baseball season. The rallies, the hype, the expectations that This Year will be The Year, Casual Day at work.

For the first time in quite sometime, the Cardinals are playing the day after our home opener. In the past, no game was scheduled the second day, supposedly so they could make up the Opener in the event of a rain out. Which I never really understood. It was, OPENING DAY!!! EXCITEMENT!! RALLIES!! Radio Station Give-aways!!

Then rest a day........other teams were playing...having fun.... making exciting plays. We had to wait another day...... and then FINALLY, we're off and running.

This year the weatherman is predicting tomorrow to feature blizzards, storms, floods and wintry mix, and NOW they play the day after the home opener. I'm actually glad I don't have tickets for the first day this year. From the sounds of the wind outside of my house right now, it's going to be bitching cold.

But dire weather predictions didn't prevent The Powers That Be from doing this to our City's fountains.

It's just silly if you ask me.

Yes, in honor of the first day of baseball, 2009, our fountains appear to be spewing Hawaiian Punch.

And in other news........ Yesterday was Opening Day for our neighborhood garden. Neighbors Linda, Dave and I are going to attempt to grow a bunch o' veggies. Dave here is getting set to bust the sod.

While he did this, Linda and I went off in search of garden tools, soil testing kits, bread and pickles. And gas for the tiller. He made good progress while we were gone.

I left Linda in charge of supervising Dave and went to the front yard to attempt to get an artsy fartsy photo of the crop of white wildflowers growing there.

But I got tired of lying in the grass to get a good focal point in the sea of white, and watching Dave with the tiller was killing my back. So I went for a massage, thinking I might have better luck trying to get that shot after getting the kinks worked out.

But by the time I returned, Dave had finished tilling and had mowed the yard, wiping out the sea of white flowers. Oh well. But we're gonna have a BIG garden. It looks like we are also going to have a bird bath right in the middle of it.

Today, I went to Art Hill in Forest Park where lots and lots of kids were flying kites. Oddly, the pictures of the kids weren't all that great; but I did get a shot of this guy.

And I'm OK with that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUCKLEBERRY*

2009-04-01T05:15:00.013-05:00

*We don't know his actual birthdate, seeing that he was adopted and all. But since Jenni and Tim will have had him a year in May, and he was several weeks (months?) old when they got him, I've unofficially given him April Fool's Day as his birthday. And I wanted an excuse to post a bunch of pictures of him. Although, I really didn't need an excuse to do that.

But first, a morning shot from the deck from the last time I visited Jenni and Tim. I love this view.

When I was visiting, Jenni and I took the Huckster to the Lake to run around. Oops. I said "The Lake". I mean, "the lake". In Missouri, "The Lake" refers to Lake of the Ozarks. In Maryville, it's Lake Mozingo. Or Mozingo Lake. Anyway, we took Huckleberry out to run on the levee.

You can almost hear him applying the brakes on this one.

His training is going well.

Lake investigation needed to be done before we left.

When we got home, Huckleberry and I played catch on the deck. The run on the levee apparently wore him out, because after a few tosses, Huck made the mistake of just watching the ball roll across the deck.......

......and then he watched it as it rolled down the hill.

I tried a few shots of him just chillin'.....

....but then he got bored.......

.......and then got tired of the puppyrazzi.

But I did get a family portrait, although it looks like he's busy smelling Jenni's ear.

A little discovery was made that weekend. Jenni and Tim almost always call him by his full name, Huckleberry; seldom "Huck". But while we were playing Settlers of Catan, Huckleberry kept trying to get on Jenni's lap. She sternly told him "Off, Huck, off!"

And made the discovery about the danger of shortening his name.

You all have a safe and fun April Fool's Day!!

SPROINGGGGG!!

2009-03-22T19:08:00.002-05:00

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!

AND THE BUDS ARE POPPIN'!!

FARMING THE WIND

2009-03-15T16:46:00.007-05:00

There's a windmill farm near Conception, Missouri. Jenni, the camera and I went to check them out today.

And we saw a hawk floating on the wind around the tops of the windmills.

CHRONICLES FROM THE OVERLY-STRETCHED UMBILICAL CORD

2009-03-14T10:50:00.004-05:00

I have Meghan's permission to post the following; but first must say that Ben was out of town and... there was another proviso which I've forgotten..... oh well. Now that I have that legal stuff out of the way, sort of, here goes.

Meghan called me Thursday morning at 6:00 AM to tell me she's sick and to get my advice on cold medications.

Meghan called me at 5:30 on Friday morning to tell me she's running a fever and is achy and to ask me if I think she should go to work (no) because she has to take a day off work next month for wedding here in St. Louis (but you are sick NOW and will make other people sick and you could get sicker).

Meghan called me at 6:00 to tell me her fever had climbed from 99.7 to 100.7.

Meghan called me while she was driving to work to tell me that her temp was 99.5. Yes. She took her temp while driving to work. Some people apply make-up, some drink coffee and eat breakfast, there are even a few who read while driving to work. Meghan was driving with a thermometer sticking out of her mouth. And I'm just going to assume it was an oral thermometer.

Meghan e-mailed me at 10:05 am to tell me her temp is now 98.1.

She's cured.

You know, other than being obsessive compulsive about taking her temperature every 5 freaking minutes.

I, on the other hand, need a drink. And it's only 10:10.

I love you, Meghan, and it's still nice to know that even though you are 24 and live 14 hours away by car, I'm still needed.

A WALK IN THE PARK

2009-03-07T19:31:00.029-06:00

I finally did it. This weekend, I caved in. I finally bought a "real" camera, a digital SLR. I've been threatening to do this for more than 25 years; which is tricky since affordable DSLR's have only been in existence for ten years, if that long. And by "affordable", I mean, I decided not to go on vacation this year and use that money for a camera, that I bought on sale, charmed a few extras into the price and am buying some used lenses from a friend. That's what I meant by an affordable DSLR. And after all of that, mine is only considered a "good entry-level camera for beginners." Boy did I hear that a lot this weekend.

After buying the camera and getting acquainted with it, I took it out for a spin at Laumeier Sculpture Park.

The day convinced me to sign up for a photography class.

OK, this.... any idea what it is?

I thought it was some kind of abstract having to do with French poodles.

But no. It's a sculpture based on the molecular compound of sucrose.

Seriously. I did not make that up. It's called "Sugabus", combining, "Sucrose" with Cerebus", the mythical three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades.

I knew it looked like a dog.

Either this didn't have a name or the plaque disappeared. I simply call it Roots.

I hope it doesn't end up being some artist's depiction of the digestive tract. Mainly because I crawled through it to get this picture.

I found the sculpture seen in the shapes of the trees to be more interesting than most of the sculptures in the park.

By this time, the sun was behind a thick cloud mass, and gray and brown were the dominant colors in the park.

So last night, I played with Photoshop Elements to try and boost what little color that is in the pictures.

I have a lot to learn, don't I?

And speaking of trees, I couldn't go to Laumeier without visiting this tree.

Ah that Homer. He was a gentleman and a gentle man.

Moving on to another part of the Park, does anyone have any idea what this is?

Does this help?

How about this?

Can you see my reflection in the pupil? On CSI and/or NCIS, they'd refine the image so you could see the mole on my left -- well, nevermind.

That eyeball was everywhere. I could see it lurking in the background when checking out this Trova sculpture.

....and this black thing called "Ada's Will"

Does anyone remember the big white ball in The Prisoner that kept Number 6 in the Village?

No, Jenni and Meghan, Mommy isn't talking crazy talk. That was a TV show on PBS in the late si--- -- uh-- a long time ago. Before you were born. That eyeball reminded me of the Big White Ball.

But back to Ada's Will

This is a sculpture for the blind.

It's pretty much the same from all sides.

See?

Hello...what's this?

No, not double exposure. It's a larger version of Ada's Will, for those who are not blind.

And looks who's back.

Isn't it amazing how the eye seems to follow you?

I hope it doesn't give me bad dreams.

IT'S A COFFEE THING

2009-03-01T16:39:00.003-06:00

One of life's small pleasures that I enjoy is fixing myself a huge mug of almond roca mocha cappuccino. I lightly sprinkle cinnamon on top of the foam, take a sip and think heaven must be like this. And then I start getting ready for the day.

I'll admit it, I got a little heavy handed with the lightly sprinkled cinnamon on this one.

As I dash about, getting ready for work, I take hits off the mug and finish it off just before I head out of the door. The mug is never far from me and faithfully follows me from kitchen, to bedroom, to bathroom sink back to bedroom, into guest bedroom for ironing, back to bedroom, back to bathroom sink, and into kitchen for the final big gulp before leaving to catch the bus.

The pace on weekends is a bit slower. When the weather is nice, I lug my laptop out to the front porch or backyard patio and drink my coffee as I catch up on the news, various blogs and/or update my own blog while sipping my cappuccino and enjoy watching the squirrels, neighbors and the few squirrelly neighbors. (Of course, I don't mean any of the ones who happen to be reading this. I mean the OTHER ones.)

When the weather is cold, I plop down on the living room couch for the same activities. Except the squirrel and neighbor watching. Those activities are curtailed in the winter months. Because I'm not in such a hurry, I generally get in a few sips of my cappuccino before I notice that it's cold. No problem, I nuke it in the microwave. Then I start getting busy with laundry, cleaning, etc., and have to nuke it again after an hour or so when I realize I haven't finished it.

That same routine happened yesterday morning; fixing a huge mug of cappuccino, drinking and nuking and drinking and nuking. And when I went to nuke it the first time yesterday morning, I found this.

Not uncommon. Quite often, the drinking and nuking turns into nuke and forget. On weekends, the mug tends not to faithfully follow me about the house. At some point in time, I'll realize I've left my mug somewhere and often find it cooling in the microwave. It gets nuked again.

I ask myself, why use such a big mug that cools too soon? Why not use a smaller cup?

The answer?

Because.

CLEANING OUT THE BLOG CLOSET

2009-02-21T11:30:00.001-06:00

The last week in January, Dad finally got to leave the hospital. The day I was supposed to pick him up, we had an 8" snowfall that pushed his homecoming back to that afternoon. Since I had taken the day off work, and had already shoveled a path to my car, and de-snowed my car, I had some time on my hands.

I could have used it getting caught up on laundry. I know, how can one person get behind on laundry. It happens.

I could have used the time cleaning out the refrigerator, but oh darn, I was fresh out of hazmat suits.

OR -- I could use the time cleaning out the blog closet. *ding!* We have a winner!!

This past December, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

During Dad's 4 week hospitalization, he experienced some ICU psychosis and generalized loopiness. To help him get oriented to space, time and location, I showed him some photos on my iPhone. When he saw picture of Mom taken over Christmas, he smiled softly and said, "If ever there was a love story, that's the one."

Here's the happy couple about 40 years ago on a family vacation on Galveston Beach.

The party was held at The Village and attended by family and Village Friends. (we call them the Village People)

I don't recall that there was dancing, but it sure looks like Dad and one of his friends are doing a fox trot.

Janice was reluctant to go back for seconds, being shy about people seeing her returning to the buffet table. Carol and I urged her to go right ahead and assured her that no one would notice. And then I got out my camera.

Stacey with her grandparents

The sisters: Moi, Carol The Golden Child, Janice

After the party, we went back to Mom and Dad's Apartment-Turned-Sauna. Honestly, could it have BEEN any hotter? It also appears that it was standing room only. Carol, The Golden Child, is behaving as Carol The Special Child

There are other "special" family members.

Rapper Notorious B.E.N.

Head-wrapped T.I.M.

OK, back to the party. During the event, I dashed out to run an errand for Meghan (that I had told her I would do early in the week, but time got away from me). While I was gone, they took a family photo and said they would photo shop me in. Seriously! They couldn't wait?!?!

So we re-shot the family photo in the Living Room Turned Sauna. (95 degrees, am I right?) It took awhile to get everyone in place.

And then we had to rearrange everyone.

I'd show you the final photo -- but my camera didn't get the shot and NO ONE HAS E-MAILED ME A COPY ALTHOUGH A ROOMFUL OF PEOPLE PROMISED THEY WOULD HINT HINT.

Tim hypnotized Huckleberry

Annarae latched onto her Papa Joe

Next up was a friendly family game of liar's poker. See Jesse over there on the right with the laptop? Cheater!! She had turned on the laptop's camera so she could see the card on her forehead.

Later, after several of us expired due to heat stroke, we went in search of cooler climes and found ourselves in The Lobby Bar at the Ritz.

The next day, Meghan and Ben had to return to Buffalo, after playing a game of "How Heavy is this Luggage?" This is a common event whenever Meghan travels.

I wanted to get a picture of Dad in his ugly hairy hat 'cause he looked so cute in it. But this was the only picture I was able to get on homecoming day.

But trust me, he could really rock that hat.

A few days after Dad came home, Jenni, Meghan, Carol, Stacey and Annarae came for a visit.

Oh, yeah. Huckleberry came for a visit, too.

By "HOME", we mean that Dad is in the health center at the retirement village. He's still needs some rehab to help him build up his strength before he can go home..... which is going down two hallways to his and Mom's apartment. But he can visit there quite often. Here he is enjoying being outside.

Someone gave Annarae some Valentine Day peeps and this was the result. Talk about bouncing off the walls!

When not busy with the family and work, I did get in some time hanging with my friends.....

....catching the Orchid Show at the Botanical Garden......

This is the Chihuly Chandelier at the entrance to the Botanical Garden

I had forgetten my "real camera" and had to take these pictures with my iPhone.... not too shabby.

During one of our snowstorms, I was able to get a few pictures.

oops. Someone forgot to close the umbrella. And I have no idea why that luggage cart is on the table. I think I used it to lug around some bags of soil...so I guess I forgot to put it away. You know, around the same time I forgot to close the umbrella.

Ok Ok, so the snow looks pretty in the trees. But I'm soooooo ready for spring!

THIS JUST IN FROM NEXT DOOR TO OCEANA

2009-02-16T09:43:00.009-06:00

In George Orwell's 1984 the citizens of Oceana were constantly under the watch of the government, Big Brother, via telescreens. Orwell created in us a paranoia about the government constantly peering over our shoulders.

And in reality? It's a fellow traveler who captures a woman doing what many of us have wanted to do when told that we'd missed a flight connection.

Or a fellow partier who captures a picture of an athlete taking a hit on a bong at a private party.

Big Brother? Bah! It's Little Brother or Little Sister with a camera phone who we really need to worry about capturing us in embarrasing situations.

Or Big Mother-In-Law.

My son-in-law; Rapper Notorious B.E.N.

Learning Curve

2009-02-07T08:50:00.003-06:00

I've been inspired by some great photos I've recently viewed and have decided to take my point and shoot photography to the next level. That level for me is to read instructions about my point and shoot camera, a Canon PS3 1S. I've told myself that once I truly conquer it and will stick to it and actually do something with the photos rather than let them languish on a memory card, then I will reward myself with a digital SLR camera. That's on sale. With coupons. And after I win the lottery.

So I read up on my Canon PS3 1S that I've had for three years, then read a little about composition. With all of this new found knowledge knocking around in my noggin, I grabbed my camera and Huckleberry, my grand puppy that I'm puppy sitting this morning, and we went off on a walk.

Here are the photographic results of the walk.

Yup. That's it. Out of the 30 photos I took, all I can show you is that tree. All of the other photos are black, with fainter areas of black and an occasional dark gray. Several shots were taken from underneath an evergreen, shooting up through the green branches against at blue blue sky. It's black with streaks of dark black.

Why didn't I use the preview option so I could tell those didn't turn out?

"Someone" awhile back knocked my camera off the porch table, sending it to the concrete. This disabled the preview and zoom options.

Who did that?

I've been sworn to secrecy.

ANYway, back to the books and instruction manuals and looking up the meaning of that word...what was it? Oh, yeah. Aperture.

NEIGHBORLY

2009-02-04T22:15:00.004-06:00

I haven't talked about my neighbors in a while. There's a reason for that. I like them.

To refresh, that hasn't always been the case. I mean, I like the ones who are there, now. I just didn't like the ones who were here when I first moved in, J and his wife and son. I live in a duplex and neighborliness goes a long way around here. But the neighbors then were the ones who activated my Gladys Kravits Gland. Quite often. They didn't seem to realize that other people, meaning me, lived here as well and yelled at each other, slammed doors etc etc all hours of the night.

And they wore black all the time.

All the time.

Even the toddler.

But then one beautiful day three years ago, they moved. Then the perfect neighbor, Greg, moved in. Perfect? Yes. He was an over-the-road truck driver and was home about 2 nights a month.

But then he moved.

Dave, Linda and Ann are there now and I like them. Very pleasant, very courteous.

Then this curiosity happened tonight. I received an e-mail from Dave.

Hi. In case you are wondering what that smell is, it's not pot. Ann someone over who is getting rid of evil spirits in the house and she's burning sage.

My reply: Sage? Is that what the kids are calling it these days? I get rid of evil spirits by divorcing them. (rimshot) ( Jenni & Meghan, you didn't read that.)

We exchanged more silliness about evil spirits and burning herbs.

And then it hit me.

Evil spirits.

Huh?

What exactly did happen to J and his wife and son?

SUPER SPRINGSTEEN

2009-02-02T09:24:00.002-06:00

I thought the halftime show was GREAT, one of the best I've seen. But was Springsteen trying to join Steven Van Zant as a Soprano?

APPARENTLY, THERE'S A THIRD POLITICAL PARTY

2009-02-01T10:20:00.003-06:00

Here is a story about today's bi-partisan (or tri-partisan) Presidential Super Bowl Party

Key quote: The group includes 11 Democrats, four Republicans and three women.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

IT'S A SHOE THING

2009-01-28T09:03:00.008-06:00

When Jenni was home for the holidays, we went shoe shopping. -- Hark, Is that a heavenly chorus I hear?

Yes, shoe shopping. The location was the place I refer to as the Mother Ship of Shoes. DSW. OK, the dominatrix-style shoes on the current banner of the website aren't exactly my style. On this trip I wasn't buying shoes. Shocking, I know. Jenni was the one making the purchases, and she said she needed a pair of plain black flats and plain brown pumps.

Plain?

Seriously, plain?

OK, I can do this for my daughter.

After a game of "Love This One/Hate That One" (played by only me because Jenni was serious about the plain thing and was on a mission), Jenni pointed out that there is a fuzzy line between shoes I like and shoes I don't like. As I held up a pair of sparkly white Sketchers and declared that the verdict hadn't come in yet one them, I innocently said, "I don't know what you mean." (I later put the sparkly Sketchers in the "Hate That One" category, but Jenni thinks I secretly love them. )

Then I found a clearance rack of wonderful slides and sandals that all spoke to me. I went wild, "Love that one, love that one, REALLY love that one!" Jenni's eyes audibly rolled.

I pointed out that Meghan and I have similar tastes in shoes and she tries to steal them when she's home; only her feet are smaller. Yet Jenni and I have the same shoe size but our tastes don't match. She said that she likes my shoes, she just wouldn't buy them.

huh?

Anyway, with iPhone in hand, I started taking photos. Jenni asked (sarcastically), "Blog fodder?"

Why, yes, actually. Sadly, only three of them are viewable. Earthquakes seemed to have hit while taking most of them.

Jenni asked if they could have included any more animal prints in this shoe. I refer to it as "Something Unfortunate Happened At the Watering Hole."

To make this shoe, we think they swept up all of the scraps left on the floor.

This shoe photographs well. In real life, it's atrocious, but it actually looks almost good here. The blue is a satiny electric blue. It's so electric you could almost hear it sizzle and hum. And it did not cost $109.95. Those are for a a pair of boots that were actually kind of cute, but they were out of my size. *sigh*

I didn't buy any shoes that day, but did go back a week later and bought these. They go great with red trousers, or a great pair of tobacco-colored jeans.

I told you, I don't do plain. Also, I can't seem to shrink this photo. Oh well.

Update on Bialatti Mukka Expresso Maker

2009-01-23T12:15:00.005-06:00

A little over a month ago, I posted about the annoying explosions I've experienced when I used my Bialetti Mukka Espresso maker.

Today, Williams-Sonoma sent me an e-mail entitled "Tips for Using Your Bialetti Mukka".

Some of those tips are below, with my comments in italics:

If your cappuccino or caffè latte is not hot enough:

Increase the temperature before serving by leaving the unit on the stovetop for up to one minute after the brewing and frothing are complete. (basically, let it cook longer)

Carafe overflows:

Fill water using the measuring cup (Gas water level = 1/2 Cup, Electric plate water level = 1/2 Cup + 1 tablespoon). Fill milk to milk line located just below the handle. (In other words, don't fill it so full)

If the unit leaks between the carafe and base:

Be sure the carafe is properly screwed in place, without any loose grounds obstructing the threaded connectors. (In other words, clean it)

If the carafe does not screw apart from the base:

Let the unit cool entirely or rinse it under cool water before unscrewing. If necessary, remove the pressure valve first. (Refer to the online instructions.)(OR -- ask a hunky neighbor for help.)

If cappuccino rises slowly or minimal froth is produced:

Be sure that the filter is not clogged and that the pressure valve is clean and positioned properly. (Refer to the online instructions.) Use only finely ground espresso. (In other words (1) read the instructions and (b), again, clean it)

If caffè latte has no foam:

Traditional caffè latte is brewed and poured into a cup of hot milk. By nature, it has no foam. For foam, use the setting for cappuccino. (In other words, again, read the instructions)

And yet, there is nothing about how to prevent explosions.

Maybe I should go read those instructions.

Or clean it.

HUH?

2009-01-17T07:52:00.001-06:00

Today's weather report says that our low for the day will be 26 degrees; the high will be 44 degrees.

Current temp is 18.

uh......

huh?

CULINARY RANT

2009-01-09T08:37:00.004-06:00

It's been awhile since I've ranted. Hasn't it? Well, except for the Rams. And that wasn't so much a rant as an outburst. Because, well, come on. That was a pathetic season.

But that's not today's topic.

Today's topic is the American Casserole, or what I'm beginning to refer to as "One-Dish Heart Attack." Canned soups, and canned ingredients of many kinds, seem to be the required ingredients. At some point in time, was legislation passed that all casseroles in the United States MUST include at least one condensed "cream of" soup? And that you get extra points for multiple cans of soup? Campbells obviously has one big lobby. Most casserole recipes I've read in the last several days included more than one can of "cream of" soup. Based on the recipes I've read, I have come up with a dish I will call "Southwest Chicken One-Dish Heart Attack Casserole".

Two cans cooked chicken cubes
one can of cream of chicken soup
one can of cream of mushroom soup
one can of cream of celery soup
one can of corn; drained
one can of Rotelle tomatoes
one can of button mushrooms, drained;
8 oz sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
one 8 oz block of velveeta cheese
one pound elbow macaroni; uncooked
buttered bread crumbs mixed with 1/2 cup of that parmesan cheese crap that comes in that skinny green can
one package of tortilla chips.
Don't even think of using salt because there's enough sodium in this already to cause you to stroke out.

Mix together all ingredients except for the tortilla chips. Place in well buttered casserole dish (because this dish just screams for more fat). Sprinkle with bread crumbs/cheese mixture. Bake at 350 for 1/2 hour or until the ingredients start to ooze to the surface. Sprinkle tortilla chips on top and bake another 5 minutes. Serve with a side of Lipitor. NOTE: This recipe has not been kitchen tested, and probably shouldn't be.

I am in search of a GOOD casserole recipe for a church event and am desirous of one that has fresh ingredients. So far, I'm finding recipes featuring canned and gloopy stuff. Ingredients that would make Paula Dean's diamonds sparkle with excitement and are worthy of one of Sandra Lee's cocktails served on one of her horrendous tablescapes.

Nearly desperate, I started searching cassoulets, knowing how the French abhor canned anything. MUCH better. And really fairly easy. I just need to find a duck.

So why is it that so many people seem to think that opening a can of this and throwing it in with a can of that is easier than chopping a couple of ingredients and adding to a bechamel sauce and topping with grated gruyere cheese? The term "Bechamel sauce" may sound intimidating, but it is merely a white sauce made by adding scalded milk to a roux made of flour and butter. I use skimmed milk and the amount of butter for a casserole serving 8 is minimal. A couple of years ago, my mom mentioned how much she likes my green bean casserole. My sister asked what I did that made it special. Mom said that I made it from scratch. Sis paused and blinked and said, "Isn't it already a scratch recipe?"

THAT'S what I'm getting at! Opening cans instead of thawing out a Swanson dish is NOT making something from scratch. (I must be fair and point out that my sister makes her own greeting cards. I don't. I cook from scratch, she does greeting cards from scratch. Different strokes)

I am going to make the cassoulet for a family dinner; but for the church event, I'm going to make a chicken and rice casserole that features the dreaded canned gloop; BUT! BUT -- I will be substituting a bechamel sauce kicked up with cayenne pepper and nutmeg for the gloop and will be using all fresh ingredients; just to show that it can be done. And that my garbage can won't fill up as fast as it would using all of that canned crap.

Interestingly, one of the cassoulets I found was a recipe called "Easy Cassoulet Casserole". I suppose it's served with a cup of chai tea.

But that's a rant for another day.

Huckleberry

2008-12-26T22:28:00.000-06:00

My grandpuppy, who is currently curled up in my lap.

Dickens' Christmas Carol; My Version

2008-12-24T05:05:00.002-06:00

I barely have time to enter this. But as I slowly try to wake up so that I can rush in to work early this Christmas Eve, I remembered a Christmas past; Christmas 2006.

And then there was a new tradition started for Christmas 2007 .

This Christmas Eve morning, I am not relaxing over an early morning cup of coffee while watching a pastoral sunrise. I have hurriedly downing a cup while blow drying my hair and searching for my briefcase which I may have left in the car. I want to be at work by 6:30 ---- want? um, not exactly --- so I can try to finish cite-checking a brief and putting finishing touches on exhibits and get those packaged up nice and neat with a lovely bow and then try to get out of the office before 8 hours are up. And that may not happen.

In Christmases past, December has offered up a light workload which allowed me to take vacation the last two weeks of the year. This year, I've been working 10 hour days, I still have Christmas shopping to do, I need to pack to go to my sisters' today with the rest of my family, and my decorating has been limited to buying 5 candles and 5 poinsettias -- which need watering.

And yet I seem to find time to post this. But I must hit "publish post" and get going.

God Bless Us Everyone.

And Merry Christmas.

Christmas in the Lobby

2008-12-23T07:01:00.001-06:00

EVERYBODY

2008-12-22T21:50:00.006-06:00

UPDATE: This is an example when mobile blogging from an iPhone goes badly. There was supposed to be a photo here somewhere.
.
.
.
.

Come to think of it, I had meant to delete this, which must be why the photo isn't here, but doesn't explain why the the "Everybody" post showed up.

I blame Al Gore.

IS THIS LEGAL?

2008-12-22T21:50:00.005-06:00

OK, so the Rams suck. We know that. 2 - 13. Well, at least they aren't the Lions at 0-15. But it certainly doesn't help when the referees start tackling our players.

SUNDAY EVENING SPORTS REPORT

2008-12-21T18:27:00.001-06:00

CRAP! It's cold!!!

Oh, and the Rams still suck.

This has been your Sunday Evening Sports Report.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

2008-12-17T20:42:00.005-06:00

To the White Album

hmmm. It doesn't show up well on a white background, does it?

Anyway.....It's 40!!! 4-0. Remember when we weren't supposed to trust anyone over 30? Well, that apparently includes the White Album.

Anyway, it was just about 40 years ago this December that I had quite a disappointing Christmas for a young teen in Southern Illinois. Get out your hankies.

I asked for The White Album. It was sold out.

The tragedy doesn't end there.

I got what my parents thought was the next best thing. It should be kept in mind that my parents' favorite musical group at the time was One Hundred and One Strings. They owned every album the group made. 100 Melodies. 101 Strings and Piano. 101 Strings Waltzing Violins, 101 Strings for Lovers (ok, I don't want to think about that one!).

Anyway.... did they get me 101 Strings Play a Tribute to the Beatles?

Nope. I got:

Complete with The Dreams of the Everyday Housewife:

"An everyday housewife....who gave up the good life.... for me."

I was 15. Years old. Wanting The Beatles' White Album.

No Rocky Raccoon. No Dear Prudence or Back in the USSR. Just Dreams of the Everyday Housewife and Wichita Lineman.

You'd think 40 years later, I'd be over it, wouldn't you?

Yeah .... well.....Ob la de. Ob la da.

QUOTES

2008-12-14T12:09:00.004-06:00

Instead of hosting a Christmas Open House for my neighbors today, I find myself in bed with a fever and sinuses threatening to explode.

I'm also bored since I can't watch the Rams game as it is being blacked out due to low ticket sales. (excuse me while I laugh at myself for even thinking I was going to watch the game; except that the laughing has set off coughing.)

Where was I? Oh, yes. Anyway, here are some random quotes I've seen lately that have amused me.

"Black is the new President" -- bumper sticker

"Buy stocks like a buzzard." -- Jim Gallagher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"You want to know how good bacon is? To improve other food, they wrap it in bacon." Jim Gaffigan, no relation to Jim Gallagher.

"Bacon bits? Bits of bacon are like the fairy dust of the food community." Jim Gaffigan. Still not related to Jim Gallagher.

"I'd love to be a pop idol. Of course, my groupies are now between 40 and 50." Kevin Bacon, who keeps a safe distance from Jim Gaffigan.

"Your idol is shattered in the dust to prove that God's dust is greater than your idol." Rabindranath Tagore, who doesn't eat bacon.

"I'm full of dust and guitars", Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd. Who is now dust.

"Some people are like slinkies...not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." on a pink T-shirt.

"Love is the answer, but while you're waiting, sex raises some pretty good questions." Another t-shirt

The ten commandments are not multiple choice" -- bumper sticker

"I don't know much about the Bible myself. I haven't read it. I don't have to 'cause I'm Catholic." Jim Gaffigan after dusting off his Bacon routine.

MY LATEST CREATION

2008-12-14T09:43:00.005-06:00

Any guess what this is?

Does this help?

It's home-made caramel. Diamond hard. I could have it cut into gem stones and make some lovely jewelry with it, except that brown isn't one of the desirable colors for gem stones.

Too bad it's not more opaque. It could be made into tinted bullet-proof glass.

ADDICTIVE TIME-KILLER WHEN YOU CAN'T SLEEP BECAUSE OF A HOOTY OWL OUTSIDE OF YOUR WINDOW

2008-12-12T03:46:00.004-06:00

There's more activity going on inside this snow globe than you think, so it takes some watching to see it all. And for a pretty effect, click on it and drag it to shake.

UPDATE: Apparently there have been so many hits on the site, the server had a nervous breakdown and is not functioning very well.

WHY IS IT

2008-12-12T03:34:00.002-06:00

I enjoy a big mug of cappucino in the morning. But it takes me so long to drink it that it cools down, so I'll pop it into the microwave to heat it up. I have the kind of microwave that has the rotating plate. Why is it that no matter how much time I enter, when it's finished, the handle of the mug is always opposite the door?

The other night as I was driving home from work in a bit of a drizzling rain, I noticed the dashboard read-out on my my new car said "ice possible."

Hello! That was nice.

Later that night, I left a meeting at church and had to carefully walk across the parking lot to avoid sliding on ice. When I started the car, I noticed the read-out said nothing about ice. Did it figure that if I had to slip and slide on it to get to the car and then had to scrape a layer of ice off the windshield that obviously, I knew the conditions. Why is it that it knows that?

(OK, awkward sentence structure, but I had to go with it to fit in with the theme here.)

Why is it that I can't accept that my Bialatti Mukka Espresso Maker will explode whenever it wants? Yep. Did it again. Third time.

Why is it I don't settle for a normal everyday cup of Folgers in the morning?

Why is it that I can sleep through freight trains going by all night long, but one little hooty owl outside of my window keeps me up for several hours. And why is it that hooty owl isn't getting hoarse after all of that hooting? (Can owls get hoarse?)

Why is it that no one trusts an Illinois Governor?

OK, that one I actually get.

UPDATE: Ever since I posted about the microwave, the mug handles have been at the front of the microwave. I'll admit it, I'm a little creeped out that my microwave reads my blog.

SNOW ART

2008-12-12T02:53:00.008-06:00

Some of my favorite Calvin and Hobbs snow art cartoons. You may need to clicken to enbiggen. Or find a pair of reading glasses.

Maybe I enjoy these so much because this is the level of my snow art ability.

Calvin: Dad, if you threw a snowball at someone, but deliberately missed, would that be "bad"?

Dad: Well, I suppose that would be provoking, so yes, it would be a little bad.

Calvin: As bad as if you'd hit the person?

Dad: No, not that bad, but worse than if you hadn't thrown it at all.

Calvin: Suppose you just grazed the person. How bad would that be? Say maybe you knocked off his hat and his glasses or something.

Dad: That would mean instant death.

CATCHING UP

2008-12-02T19:20:00.002-06:00

November 23, 2008

I'm waiting for my flight back to St. Louis and thought I'd get caught up on thisthatandtheother thing, but as I'm writing this, realize there's not enough time.

I spent the weekend of November 21-23 visiting Jenni and Tim, watched the Bearcats win against Pittsburgh State (from Pittsburgh, Kansas) -- 38-35, although they tried like heck to lose. Next week, they play Abilene Christian University who beat West Texas A & M 93-68. That is not a typo. And that is not a basketball score. 93-68. When the Bearcats' coach heard that score, he reportedly asked, "Did they cut down the net after the game?"

In other news........

When I went in to my room this morning after church, I was surprised to see this sight.

Yeah, you don't see that every day.... a suicidal deer.

********************************************************************************************************************************
12/2/2008

Well, I had tried to upload the above to my blog while at the Kansas City Airport, but gremlins got into the works and prevented the upload.

By the way, the Bearcats DID beat Abilene Christian 45-36 (I think, I'm too lazy to look it up. Tim and/or Jenni will correct me if I'm wrong). Next weekend, they play the North Alabama in the NCAA Division II semi finals. (December 6, 3:00 on CST, ESPN2).

AND..........as usual..... I think of tons of things to write about during my commute to work and as soon as I fire up the Mac, I get blocked.

I do have something to say about sports, superstitions and my beloved son-in-law, Tim; but I will reserve my comments until after the championship game because I don't want to jinx anything. Or be accused of jinxing anything. Not that Tim would accuse me of that, *coughcough* but I came *thisclose* to being asked to leave the Pitt State game at half time ONLY because out of all of the Bearcat games I've attended since 1999, the Bearcats l_ _ _ (I'm not allowed to use the "L" word in the same sentence, thought or even DAY as the Bearcats) the only other game I went to this year and a certain SOMEONE thought I was bringing bad karma. But they won so maybe I've been absolved.

Or something.

Oh yeah, Boot camp, Part I is over. Due to some nasty headache issues I had to go AWOL for Part 2, but have resumed running (and resumed HATING IT) and will re-up for Part 3.

Hoooo ah (cough gag yuk)

SUNDAY EVENING SPORTS REPORT

2008-10-12T22:12:00.002-05:00

The Rams won?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

This has been your Sunday Evening Sports Report.

THE MARKET

2008-10-12T09:40:00.000-05:00

This guy had a full head of hair last Monday.

SUNDAY EVENING SPORTS REPORT

2008-09-28T18:16:00.002-05:00

THE RAMS SUCK!

This has been your Sunday Evening Sports Report.

BOOT CAMP: TWO WEEKS DOWN

2008-09-21T20:17:00.003-05:00

After Week Two, I'm not in as much pain as I was after Week One, which I refer to in my mind as Weak One. And this weekend, I did some running on my own, outside of the confines of Boot Camp. OK, it was more of a walk/run, but running was involved. I am a life-long detester of jogging and/or running; preferring roller blading, bike riding, swimming, etc. But I haven't been doing any of those lately (with 'lately' being defined as 'last several years') AND they aren't part of Boot Camp..... so.... I'm running. And hating every minute of it. In fact, I've developed a little song to help me with my cadence while I run. "I hate this...I hate this....I hate this". I'll agree, not very inventive or catchy, but at 5:45 am and running, I'm low on inventiveness. I do change it up from time to time with "this sucks...this sucks....this sucks" OR..... "I'm going to die.... I'm going to die."

The variety helps me from getting bored.

REALLY BAD HAIR DAY

2008-09-12T07:57:00.000-05:00

On really humid days, I can relate.

BOOT CAMP: DAYS TWO, THREE PREVIEW OF FOUR --- HOO boy

2008-09-10T21:39:00.003-05:00

I'm going to have to update this weekend. I'm too pooped and need my sleep so I can wake up in time to make it to Day Four. But here's the breakdown so far.

Day Two: Sit ups.

Day Three: Push Ups

Day Four: Running (which apparently translates to "more running" because we've run every day. I've been told by the veterans that Day Four is the hardest.

OH, that reminds, me. It's time for my next dose of Ibuprofen.

Also, stairs? If someone put a gun to my head and told me I had to walk up a flight of stairs, I honestly would pay someone to either carry me up the stairs or just shoot me so I could avoid them. That is due to those fun exercises called "wall sits".

BOOT CAMP: DAY ONE --- HOO AHH!!!

2008-09-08T19:02:00.003-05:00

I've been asked if it was what I expected. I'm not sure how to answer that right now. I expected do exercises; and we did.

I expected to have to run and hate it; we did and I did.

I expected to be really tired at the end of the day because one of my daughters -- who will remain nameless --called and woke me up at 10:30 last night to tell me about something that was on Myth Busters and then I couldn't go back to sleep; and I was. (OK, I'm finished harping on that Jenni -- oops)

I expect my muscles to be screaming at me; and so far they aren't. It is early in the scheme of things and that may be a sensation yet to be experiened. I'm also taking fistfulls of ibuprofen and YES I'm aware of contraindications but did you see where I said I'm not hurting? Yet?

What didn't I expect? The number of participants and the nicknaming thing. The class numbered about 40, and as described in the class description, the fitness levels ranged from couch potatoes to tri-athletes. I'd say most of the participants fell in between as there were quite a few people who were in shape but not at the crazy-out-of-their-mind level of the triathaletes. Not that I've ever known anyone in my life who was a crazy-out-of-his-mind triathelete who worked out about 4 hours a day or anything like that.

*cough*

Yeah...the nickname thing. Everybody gets a nickname. And apparently there are no guarantees they will be good ones. The instructor, whose name I didn't get except that he's called "Sir", introduced the returnees by their nicknames. Spike, Round-Up, Hotcakes, Nark. We were told that Hotcakes chose her nickname -- and seems to be the only one who got to. Round-up works for Monsanto. I don't yet know the origins of the other names. And I didn't really hear all of the others. As Sir pointed to them, the rest loudly yelled out Spike! Hotcakes! RoundUp! Nark! And then kind of faded out for the rest and all I heard was Mumble! Mumble! Mumble! Yada! Yada! Get! The! Idea?

And then it was time to name the newbies. The first one was chosen, stated her name, occupation, hobbies and the fact that she is getting married in a month. By unanimous consent of the gang in the back corner of the room, she was bestowed with the name of Bridezilla.

I was next. I gave my name, occupation (paralegal), hobbies (blogging and cooking). My nickname is ...uh... Briefs. Because of the paralegal thing. And again, by unanimous consent of the back corner of the room.

Next, another future bride who is a pharmaceutical rep selling blood pressure meds. Ed. For Erectile Dysfunction. I don't get it either, but the back corner of the room was enthusiastic about the name. In fact, when bouncing the options around, one guy said, "I like erectile dysfunction." Yes. He did say that out loud. But anyway, she's now Ed.

Another pharmaceutical sales rep, sells cholesterol drugs, and her hobbies are eating and drinking. Stroker. We now know the back corner of the room could easily confuse their medications if not careful. But it was early in the morning, we were going through the paces, so it's not surprising that creativity was in short supply.

There wasn't enough time for all of the newbies to get nicknames, so that activity continues tomorrow morning. Kathy and I can't wait for them to get to her son. Occupation: head cheesemonger at a local wine shop. But based on today's names, the back corner of the room just might christen him "Curd."

BOOT CAMP

2008-08-31T16:58:00.003-05:00

I report to boot camp on September 8.

No, this does NOT mean our military has gotten desperate and has started drafting middle-aged women. This means that I've completely gone off my nut and have signed up for early morning torture on a daily basis for 8 weeks. Or maybe it's 6 weeks. I'll just be happy if I make it through one week.

Back in the day (which I SWEAR seemed like last week), I worked out on a fairly regular basis. I would swim a mile three or four mornings a week, lift weights, go on 25 to 30 mile bike rides on weekends, and rollerblade several times a week. I'll admit it, I wasn't totally buff and cut or anything, but I was definitely in better shape than I am now. Somewhere along the line, I stopped doing all of that and discovered the joys of couch potato-tude. And in doing so, I've discovered the downside of said couch potato-tude.

I enjoyed working out. During Olympics, I would find myself swimming or skating for the gold (in my mind of course). In fact, when I was in my 40's and "swimming for the gold", I heard the announcers marveling that I was competing at the Olympic level at that age. And this year, Dara Torres stole my thunder!

Hey, Walter Mitty's got NOTHING on me!

Long bike rides in the country were not only good from a cardio-vascular standpoint, but I would work out all of the problems in the world, or at least in my own world and would have time to get a good perspective on situations that I had to deal with. And get a good tan at the same time.

But at some point in time, I've let all of that get away from me and reclaiming it has seemed to be overwhelming.

From time to time, I've taken stabs at returning to my former life. That has usually involved buying a piece of gym equipment, signing up for a class or getting my bike tuned up. I'll set the alarm for a gaspingly early hour but would end up hitting the snooze button 20 times before taking the late bus to work. Like Scarlet O'Hara, I would say, "Fiddle-dee dee. Tomorrow is another day." And another day would find me slapping the snooze alarm and oversleeping.

So far, the only thing trimming down is my bank account from the monthly automatic withdrawals for my Y membership. At one point, I decided I needed to take things to a higher level and increased my Y membership so I could attend any Y anwhere in the world.

And yet I don't.

I even got a locker at the Y across the street from work so I can roll out of bed at said gaspingly early hour of the morning, throw on work-out clothes, grab my pre-packed gym back and clothes and catch the early bus to work.

And yet I don't.

In fact, I've forgotten the combination to the locker so I can't get into it to get out my shoes, toiletries and the tank suit I keep in there to wear in the whirlpool to ease the aches and pains in the muscles I just put through a good work out. (I hear laughter in my head.)

So, one day a couple of weeks ago, I was reading the newsletter to our local community center and encountered an article about Rise and Shine Boot Camp. The article swore that the class is for participants of all levels, from couch potatoes to tri-athletes.

I thought, "hmmmm"

There's that laughter in my head again.

I put the newsletter down and went to throw in a load of wash. Towels. Recognizing the symbolism, I ran back upstairs (which has been the extent of my work outs lately) and dug the newsletter out of the trash. OK, so that's where I actually put it when I said I had put it down.

I decided to sign up and talked a friend into signing up, who talked her son into signing up. You know, that peer-pressure/misery-loves-company thing.

Realizing that the folly of trying to go from couch potato to boot camp could be VERY painful and disheartening, I decided to start trying to get active before boot camp starts.

And yet I haven't.

Surprised?

OK, I've been walking in the evenings more, and have been taking the stairs at work every chance I can, but I don't think that's going to cut it. On September 9, I'm confident that I'm going to wake up moaning and groaning.

Yeah, I'm going into this thing with a real positive attitude, aren't I?

On September 7 I will set the alarm for a gaspingly early hour. On September 8 I will roll out of bed and into my work-out clothes and will dash the three blocks to the Community Center to start Rise and Shine Boot Camp along with Kathy and Adam.

Progress will be reported here.

Assuming I live to report it. And can type.

I'VE GOT MAIL

2008-08-23T15:49:00.002-05:00

People must be falling for this stuff because they keep sending these e-mails. This one has a slightly different angle. It's from "FedEx Redstar". They cannot quote the content of the letter via e-mail due to privacy reasons.....but they CAN tell me that the contents include a bank draft worth $380,000 USD.

Gosh....makes me wonder what the letter says. Oh well. One of life's little mysteries I don't feel like solving right now.

Dear Customer!

We have been waiting for you to contact us for your
Confirmed Package that is registered with us for shipping
to your residential location.We had thought that your
sender gave you our contact details.It may interest you
to know that a letter is also added to your
package.However, we cannot quote its
content to you via email for privacy reasons. We
understand that the content of your package itself is a
Bank Draft worth of $380,000.00 USD, FedEx Redstar Courier
do not ship money in CASH or in CHEQUES but Bank Drafts
are shippable.The package is registered with us for
mailing by your colleague, and your colleague explained
that he is from the United States but he is here in
Nigeria for a three (3)months Surveying Project as he
works with a OIL RIG consultant firm in West Africa,
Nigeria.

Special Order. What you have to do now, is to contact our
Delivery Department for immediate dispatchment of your
package to your residencial address.Note
that as soon as our Delivery Team confirms your
informations, it will take only one working day (24
hours) for your package to arrive it's designated
destination.For your information, the VAT & Shipping
charges as well as Insurance fees have been paid by your
colleague before your
package was registered.Note that the payment that is made
on the Insurance, Premium & Clearance Certificates, are to
certify that the Bank Draft is not
a Drug Affiliated Fund (DAF) neither is it funds to
sponsor Terrorism in your country. This will help you
avoid any form of query from the Monetary
Authority of your country. However, you will have to pay
a sum of to $170 US DOLLARS to the FedEx Delivery
Department being full payment for the Security Keeping Fee
of the FedEx Redstar Courier as stated in our privacy
terms & condition page. Also be informed that your
colleague wished to pay for the Security Keeping charges,
but we do not accept such payment considering the facts
that all items & packages that is registered with us have
a time limitation and we cannot accept payment not knowing
when you will be picking up the package or even responding
to us.So we cannot take the risk to have accepted such
payment incase of any possible demurrage. Kindly note that
your colleague did not leave us with any further
information.We hope that you respond to us as soon as
possible because if you fail to respond until the expiry
date of the foremost package, we may refer the package to
the British Commission for Welfare as the package do not
have a return address. Kindly contact the delivery
department (FedEx Delivery Post) with the details given
below:

FedEx Delivery Post
Contact Person: Mr. Jim Coker
Email:
deliverypost.jim@fedexredstarcourier-online.co.uk.pn
info.fedexdispatchofficer@btinternet.com
Tel: +234-807-437-8481
Kindly complete the below form and send it to the email
address given above. This is mandatory to reconfirm your
Postal address and telephone numbers.

FULL NAMES:
TELEPHONE:
POSTAL ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:

As soon as your details are received, our delivery team
will give you the neccessary payment procedure so that you
can effect the payment for the
Security Keeping Fees. As soon as we confirm your payment
receipt of $170 USD, We will not hesitate to dispatch your
package as well as the
attahced letter to your residence. It usually takes 24
hours being an over night delivery service. Note that we
were not instructed to email you, but
due to the high priority of your package we had to inform
you as your sender did not leave us with his phone number
because he stated that he just arrived Nigeria and he
hasn't fix his phone yet. We indeed personally sealed
your Bank Draft and we found your email contact in the
attached letter as the recipient of the foremost package.
Ensure to contact the delivery department with the email
address given above and ensure to fill the above form as
well to enable a
successful reconfirmation.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Gary Alis.
FedEx EXPRESS TEAM Management.
All rights reserved. © 1995-2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This E-mail is only for the above addressees. It may
contain confidential or Privileged information. If you are
not an addressee you must not copy,
distribute, disclose or use any of the information in it
or any attachments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FedEx>>>LICENCE OF fedEx Redstar CO-OPERATION.

THE WORLD WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT.....

2008-08-23T11:20:00.004-05:00

.....I'm bonding with my new iPhone.

Laundry is piling up, dishes are in the sink, the garden needs weeding, tomatoes need harvesting, the house plants need watering, I need a pedicure, one teeny little hair on my chin needs tweezing, Fantasy Football draft picks need to be ranked for the draft in --eek-- two hours....but all of that is on the back burner. I'm trying to figure out how to pair my Bluetooth headset with my iPhone. Even with the Bluetooth device sitting on top of the iPhone (like a newborne baby lying on her mommy's tummy) the iPhone just says "searching" and can't find it.

Just my luck, I have a myopic iPhone.

In the news......

2008-08-20T07:02:00.002-05:00

Duh!

Maybe they should put baseball cards in the spokes.

..........and your Olympics-related laugh of the day........

iConundrum

2008-08-20T05:25:00.003-05:00

I ordered my iPhone this past Saturday.

(YAY)

The local Apple Store had a full supply of them

(YAY)

My AT&T wireless account is not due for an upgrade.

(boo)

My friend Judy has an upgrade available that she was willing to loan to me.

(YAY)

The local Apple Store that has a full supply of them could not process a transaction where I would be borrowing an upgrade.

(boo)

So we went to the local AT&T store who could process a transaction where I would be borrowing an upgrade.

(YAY)

But they do not have any iPhones in stock so I placed an order and have to WAIT (argh!!) 7 - 10 days.

(boo)

I received an e-mail from AT&T Sunday night that my order has been shipped.

(YAY)

I checked the tracking information Monday afternoon and found out that my iPhone has been spending the ENTIRE DAY traveling from one side of Ft. Worth to the other.

(boo) and (huh?) (What does Ft. Worth have to do with Apple and iPhones?)

Whatever

I just checked the tracking and my iPhone is HERE. In ST. LOUIS. Well, Berkeley, at the "sorting facility" for the delivery service being used (the same one that was in the plane crash in Castaway.)

(so, YAY)

SURELY the iPhone will be delivered to the store TODAY!!

(another YAY)

I'm going to the Cardinal ballgame tonight.

(and another YAY -- oh, wait a minute----)

With work

(oh -- yeah--that)

So I'll have to WAIT until tomorrow night!

(arrrrgh!!)

Surely iJest

2008-08-16T08:15:00.003-05:00

Steve Jobs has never been known to rest on his iLaurels after launching the latest in techni-tude. He went right from iPhone.1 to the MacAir to iPhone.3g. And did he stop to catch his breath after that? No. OK, maybe he sat at his desk for a few minues and slid a MacAir in and out of an envelope and repeatedly said, "How cool is THAT?!". But that's about it. Because he and his fellow gazillionaire nerdy genii went back to work and came up with the latest in doorknob technolog.

Ladies and gentlemen, the iKnob.

OK, so Apple CLAIMS it's really a Bluetooth Headset for the iPhone; but who are you going to believe, THEM or ME? I have your best interests at heart; I don't want you to look silly, walking around with a doorknob hanging from your ear.

You're welcome.

ONE WORLD ONE DREAM

2008-08-09T20:56:00.005-05:00

The Chinese welcomed the world the Beijing and boy! Do they know how to put on a show.

"How did they do that?" was said more times that I care to count. But seriously, how did they do that?

The fireworks were spectacular, but didn't help out with the pollution.

The Greek flag was apparently edible.

I thought pictures of the Birds Nest were great, until I saw the Water Cube. Wow.

The dancing calligraphers were great, the drumline was awesome, the movable print -uh-- thing was outstanding. So I feel petty pointing out that we can see this guy's wires. I supposed for all of the dazzle they gave us, we should forgive that little slip. (for the pendantics in the crowd, I'm joking!)

Team USA looking spiffy,

...and tall......

But others were taller. OK, that kid? They say he's 9. Just how long is the typical Chinese year? Six months, 'cause that kid sure doesn't look 9.

Again, wow.

Quite a few countries chose to go green. Well, ok, it was a major color in their flags. Iraq's (or Iran's --- ???) green was better than a lot of the others. Green can be a tricky color to pull off, fashion-wise.

In fact, green men were everywhere.

Roger was his country's flag carrier on his birthday. He's obviously quite happy.

Hungary. Um..... did anyone else have the urge to sing "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Police were everywhere, but obviously the fashion police were elsewhere.

Yeah. And then there's this.

On the day John Edwards admits to some hanky panky and watches his political career go up in flames, W does the spanky spanky and enjoys the perks of his lame duckitude.

SEARCH RESULTS

2008-07-26T08:04:00.006-05:00

You may have noticed a number way down there ⇓at the bottom of my blog. (OK, when I preview it, that arrow thingie worked. Now I jut get a blank square. Huh.)
⇐
==
>
↔



OK, I'll stop.

ANYway, besides telling me how many times my blog has been accessed, I also get statistics on HOW people have found me. StatTracker gives me the key words that have been used in searches on which my blog has appeared in the result list. Those can be very interesting. The top two searches that land people on my place are Charter Communication Sucks; and the simple search for an entimologist.

This blog entry was quite popular for awhile searching for a particular guy. And not the one you'd think by looking at it. The searches were for Edward "Gil Chesterton from Frazier" Hibbert; who had been starring in the Drunken Chaperone on Broadway.

And Edward "Gil Chesterton from Frazier" Hibbert, if you are one of the searchers and have found this blog, who in Brussells is looking for you? That's like Ground Zero for the Edward Hibbert Fan Club.

BUT, the other night I was floored, chagrinned and stymied by a new finding. My blog is a on the result list for a search that is phrased "public humiliation in St. Louis."

I mean, HEY!!!!! OK, so it's not the TOP result, in fact, it's not even on the first page of the results. It is the top one on the second page of the results, though. Which, ouch.

Was it on a result list for Best Blog in St. Louis?

No.

Was it on a result list for Most Available Bachelorette in St. Louis?

No.

Was it on a result list for Funniest Woman in St. Louis?

No.

Was it on a result list for best Mom in St Louis?

No.

(Note: but it will be on the result lists for all of those searches now! Ha! )

It was on a result list for Public Humiliation in St. Louis. But, I guess that's what you get when you have a blog post entitled Public Humiliation.

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER

2008-07-25T06:21:00.002-05:00

So what won the race, the Car or the iPhone?

The car.

THE RACE IS ON

2008-07-15T06:43:00.004-05:00

What will I get first? A new car?

or a new iPhone?

True, there are more used cars available in St. Louis than there are iPhones. Apple's website indicates the shelves in the local stores are bare. An attempt to contact the AT&T store to check on current and future availability was unsuccessful. One couldn't even talk to a real person but was assured that if one left a message, the call would be returned or one could access the website. One didn't even hear the usual obligatory "your call is important to us." That must be due to the fact that the call was not, in fact, important to them as the call was not returned. I'm not real sure I understand the constant urging to access the website as the iPhones are not available via the internets.

Even some of St. Louis' beautiful people were unsuccessful after standing in line on Friday.

So, place your bets; car or iPhone...which do I get first?

I'M BACK!

2008-07-12T13:15:00.003-05:00

For those of you whose RSS Aggregators have been aggravated by my blog today, I apologize. I've been trying to finalize the posts about Meghan's wedding, and Blogspot and I have been having issues with each other.

Since April, I have been working on making the "perfect post" about my daughter's wedding. I finally realized that I was not going to be happy with anything I wrote, so decided to let the pictures tell their story.

The five posts that follow will do just that.

And I'm happy to say I've finally finished this before their third wedding reception will be held, this one in Pennsylvania in August. I'll post those pictures sometime in November at the rate I'm going.

A ROYAL WEDDING

2008-07-12T13:11:00.003-05:00

Her Royal Highness, HRH Princess Meghan got married this past April.

To a boy

It was a wonderful weekend and she got a wonderful guy. I'll be honest, he got a wonderful girl as well.

The Grandparents were excited.

Relatives drove in from all over the country.

It was time to start rehearsing.

THE DAY AND NIGHT BEFORE

2008-07-12T13:10:00.001-05:00

In a successful effort to keep the wedding budget within control we made the favors, flowers, boutineers and corsages ourselves. Meghan and I worked on the milk and white chocolate candies for the tables at the reception.

Jenni and Meghan made the pew decorations.

The day of Jenni's and Tim's rehearsal, we had to deal with tornadoes. In fact, during the rehearsal itself, we had to go to the basement as tornadoes were touching down outside of town.

The night before Meghan's and Ben's rehearsal, we had an earthquake in the Midwest. People told Don and me how glad they were that we didn't have any more daughters to marry off.

The Grandpas chat about the state of world affairs at the rehearsal dinner.

Jenni and her Grandma

Ben's family is from the East Coast; Meghan's is from the Midwest. Their extended families hadn't gotten to know their chosen mates, so the couple showed a video of photographs taken since they met.

Being old married people now, Jenni and Tim sit back and enjoy.

The happy couple with her Dad.

Jenni and I.

The bridesmaids all in a row.

Everyone mills around before the rehearsal.

Nathan gives the couple some instructions.

Meghan describes the width of her dress as Ben covers his ears so he can't hear anything about it.

Meghan and her girls gather for a slumber party the night before the wedding.

And the hairdresser arrives early the next morning to start working on the updos.

During the process, Meghan's cousin Jesse arrives from Texas and surprises her. Meghan didn't think Jesse was going to be able to attend.

And then.....we head for the church.

GETTING THE BRIDE READY

2008-07-12T13:09:00.000-05:00

Ashley feeds bagel bites to Meghan as she keeps her dress covered. Meghan was in her wedding two years ago.

Matron-Of-Honor Jenni helps Meghan with the necklace I had made for the wedding. Meghan was her maid of honor three years ago.

Megan fastens Meghan's shoes. Megan's wedding would be the following month and Meghan would be one of her bridesmaids.

Brooke applies Meghan's make-up. Meghan and Ben were in Brooke's wedding last summer on an island in the middle of Lake Saranac, New York.

It's all beginning to sound like Twenty-Seven Dresses, isn't it?

PICTURES BEFORE THE WEDDING

2008-07-12T13:08:00.000-05:00

Is something going on I need to know about? (it was just the flower girl fussing about getting her picture taken)

Ben and his guys wait for the main event.

Meghan's grandparents are all set.

Annarae with her Grandma Carol......

...... and off on her own.

The bridesmaids get ready for their close-ups.....

....and wait their turn.

Don and I get our turn with Meghan.

It looks like my ex is trying to keep me out of my own family picture, doesn't it?

But I managed to get in.

And here's the bride.

THE WEDDING

2008-07-12T11:16:00.009-05:00

There are no unofficial pictures of the wedding as all of the unofficial photographers were busy watching the ceremony. All of the official wedding pictures were taken by the wonderful and talented Heather from Shutter Happy Studios. Oh, look who's on the front of their website! (unless Heather has changed it)

The ceremony itself was wonderful. Both Ben and Meghan got teary-eyed as soon as they saw each other. Of course, Don and I quickly followed and the bridesmaids were passing tissues back and forth amongst themselves all during the ceremony. Water-proof mascara was a must.

Communion was part of the ceremony and the couple served it to their guests themselves.

Nathan gave a wonderful homily and stressed how the two of them made God the center of their lives. He then pronounced them man and wife and it was time for more pictures.

MR. AND MRS. BEN AND MEGHAN

2008-07-05T11:57:00.014-05:00

The couple relax for their post-wedding photos.

Carol and Mom

Meghan with a reluctant flower girl.

Meghan and Ben pose with their collective grandparents; the ones who were able to make it.

It was a bit of a chilly day and the chauffeur had a fire going in the limo's virtual fireplace.

Whenever I see a wedding cake, I now think of Franck Eggelhofer in Father of the Bride going on an on about the Cahck. Meghan and Ben had a lovely and delicious cahck.

When it was time for the couple's first dance, Meghan was no where to be seen.

She entered through the back door and approached Ben with some serious attitude.

They entertained --- and amazed --- us with a dance they had choreographed to Hello Goodbye's "In Your Arms".

Then Meghan danced with her Daddy.....,.

and Ben danced with his Mom.

Tim did a great job in a supporting role(s); he was the usher, unofficial photographer (unofficial because he 'appropriated' my camera and did a low-level growl whenever I approached it); he also served as disc jockey at the reception and chauffeur from the reception to hotel.

Meghan danced with her brother-in-law Tim

while Jenni danced with her new brother-in-law Ben.

Cut that out and smile prettily for the camera!

That's better.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben (Insert Last Name Here)

The rings.

The bubbles.

And they're gone.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RITZ

2008-04-26T10:58:00.011-05:00

It's been a busy month. There was my St. Thomas vacation, then two weddings in the family.

I'm working on posts about those.

Preview:

Stacey and Chase got married

Then Meghan and Ben got married.

I'm working on posts about those, but last night, I went to the Ritz. What a night for people watching. A Brazilian band was playing and they featured a dancer who was wearing a very abreviated costume.

At one point, she dance with the one of the Elderly Creepy Brothers Who Cruise the Lobby Lounge. I think twice he nearly had a coronary. (by the way, his Co-Creepy Brother no longer Cruises the Lobby Lounge. He has been banned for being too disruptive.)

Later, the Brazilian Dancer gave dance lessons. Oh, and those two people on the left? I've talked about "the girls" before.

They are Lisa and Sharon, always good for people watching.

And then it was time for Carnival!

SATURDAY MORNING IN ST. THOMAS

2008-03-30T13:26:00.004-05:00

Have you ever been lounging on the beach and suddenly,you are saying to yourself, "Hey! Did I just see a submarine surface?!" And you haven't had any margaritas (yet)?

Yeah, it was kind of like that.

Friday in St. Thomas

2008-03-28T13:01:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I had lunch on a terrace in St. John with Gordon Gecko.

Today, lunch was poolside with Iggy the Iguana and his mate.......

.....while we watched the Rolex Regatta.

Wednesday in Paradise

2008-03-26T20:23:00.002-05:00

While having lunch at the Lime Tree in St. John, we were visited by this little gecko. I shall call him Gordon.

Trunk Bay, which we passed up.

We opted to beach at Cinnamon Bay. My toes liked it.

Sunset over St. Thomas.

SAINT THOMAS - The pictures speak for themselves

2008-03-26T08:37:00.000-05:00

2008-03-22T09:25:00.002-05:00

Dc is a problem for our little group trying to get to st thomas. I missed my connection yesterday and spent the night there. Another memb

UPDATE: Obviously, cell phone blogging doesn't work well for me.

2008-03-22T09:16:00.001-05:00

When on vacation, is it ok to have a glass of pinot grigio with a cheese omelette?

2008-03-22T07:36:00.001-05:00

It's been planes, trains and automobiles. Finally getting close(r) to st thomas. We landed ho miami ten hours later. Now we have a thre

2008-03-21T16:09:00.001-05:00

Test 2

2008-03-21T15:03:00.001-05:00

Tdpt

REASON NO. 464 WHY YOU SHOULDN'T PACK YOUR BREAKFAST IN THE (semi) DARK TO BE EATEN LATER AT THE OFFICE.....

2008-03-18T21:50:00.004-05:00

......because when you get to work and take it out to eat it, you might be disappointed to find out that the yogurt and frozen berries that you had packed is actually yogurt and frozen peas.

Why did I pack my breakfast in the (semi) dark?

I actually didn't think it was that dark.

I THINK THE UNIVERSE IS TRYING TO TELL ME TO GET A NEW CAR

2008-02-22T04:53:00.003-06:00

My car got hit by a truck yesterday. Which then slammed me into a concrete wall.

OK I'll admit that saying it that way makes it sound way more traumatic than it actually was. It was snowingsleetingwintrymixing during the morning commute. I was on my way to the train station and had meant to take the side roads, but out of habit, I found myself on I-44. But it's good, I thought. Traffic is moving at a good pace, even if they are rubbernecking to get a look at the 3 accidents in the westbound lanes.

And then I see a blue pick-up truck heading across 3 lanes of traffic right at me. He hit me in the door on the driver's side. We were on an overpass and I know I hit the concrete wall on the side of it because I remember thinking, "ah, man! I'm going to hit that concrete wall!" And I did, which bounced me back out across 2 lanes of traffic. I braced myself to get hit by other cars --- but they missed me, YAY!!! I backed my car over to what little shoulder was left after a re-striping project a few months ago. The truck that hit me ended up facing the oncoming traffic. He, too, managed to miss other cars -- just hit me. The whole thing was almost like a well choreographed ice-ballet. Spinning, sliding, and gracefully pirouretting into walls. When it ended, we got ourselves to the shoulder and sat there, back to back, calling 911 and work from our cellphones. Well, that's who I called, I'm assuming he did the same. We did acknowledge each other's presence and waved, signaling we were both OK.

Looking out of my side mirror, I didn't see any damage to my car. Dang, I thought. They are right about these Saturns being made of plastic. The dents jut bounce right out. While we waited, I saw a Ford Escape flying along in the far left lane and thought he was going way too fast for conditions. As I thought that, he spun out of control and slammed into the concrete wall on the other side. He hit it hard, too, because it knocked off a tire and made his vehicle lean sideways. I saw him moving around inside his vehicle and talking on his cellphone, so he was OK. Just a dumba$$ for going so fast, but you know, he had a 4-wheel drive so he can drive like an idiot in ice, right?

When I called 911, they told me there would be quite a wait as they were answering a lot of calls. So I was pleasantly surprised to see the Webster Groves police arrive 10 minutes later. He confirmed neither of us were hurt. I asked him if my car had any damage. He looked at me rather strangely and said, "Yeah, your DOOR?" I hadn't gotten out to inspect it because I was sitting on a very narrow shoulder on an ice-covered overpass and cars occasionally spun out of control. I figured I'd do the inspecting later. The cop had blocked off the lane next to us, so I did get out to look and yup. What my side mirror hadn't shown was the outside portion of the door had shattered. And, it had affected the rear-door so it wouldn't close all the way. I looked to see what hitting the wall had done.

Nothing. I had hit it with my bumper, which is rubber and it just bounced back into place. But getting back into my car was tricky. I no longer had a door handle and have to climb in through the passenger door. I have bucket seats. "Graceful" is just thrown out of the equation. What I have since started doing is leaving the driver's seat reclined so I can open the back door, lean w-a-a-a-y over and open the door. I ventured out later in the day yesterday to run a couple of errands. I left the door slightly ajar (let's face it, the door looks MORE than slightly ajar) . There's nothing inside the car to steal and if anyone wants to steal it and take a 10 year old damaged Saturn off my hands --- then who am I to stop them?

It has 140,000 miles on it and had been slowly disintegrating around me. The sunroof leaks when the rain comes in from a certain direction. The rear windows tend to slide down of their own accord whenever they feel like it (so I've surreptitiously wedged pieces of cardboard into them to prevent that) and my windshield wiper will occasionally take a swipe whenever it wants. Meghan was driving it last summer as we were running errands. I hadn't told her about the windshield wiper action. When it happened on a clear day, she turned to look at me and said, "Seriously, when are you getting a new car?" She actually had the nerve to refer to it as a ghetto car!!!!

I was thinking about getting a new car this year (which for me means newer -- I don't buy brand spanking new cars. I'll let someone else take the hit on depreciation.) But with Meghan getting married in April and my trip to St. Thomas next month, I thought that maybe I'd wait until later in the year.

So with this.... maybe I'll go ahead and start thinking about getting one sooner. Maybe.

KIRKWOOD

2008-02-08T06:43:00.000-06:00

Prayers for Mayor Swoboda and Todd Smith

RIP Connie Karr

RIP Kenneth Yost

RIP Michael Lynch

RIP Tom Ballman

RIP William Riggs

RIP Cookie Thornton

What happened last night is incomprehensible. How can this happen here???.

A CHANGE FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT

2008-02-03T09:30:00.002-06:00

Last night, Judy, Jerry and I decided we needed a change for a Saturday night, so we went to a rally for Obama, which was held downtown St. Louis at the Edward Jones Dome, where the Rams play.

Now, the land of politics is filled with lies and the lying liers who tell them. I'm sure this hadn't been condoned by Sen. Obama, but we were lied to as soon as we got to the Dome. We arrived a half hour before the doors opened and the line was huge. We saw a young man with a clipboard (Judy said this is a sign of authority) and wearing some sort of official looking volunteer button and asked him if there was only one entrance. He told us that the entrance nearest us was for people who wanted to be on the floor, but they would have to go through metal detectors and security. The other doors let people into the balconies.

We opted for the balconies because we figured we could see and sit down.

And ended up on the floor. Behind the people who went through the other door. And stood for 3 hours. NO ONE was allowed into the balconies.

Mr. "I Have A Clipboard and a Badge" had lied to us.

We heard HE was going to arrive at 8 or 8:30. At various times, the crowd got the impression something was about to CHANGE.

There was a performance by the Harris Stowe Teachers College Marching Band and Drum Line.

A young woman came out and sang a very soulful National Anthem.

A guy threw beads to the crowd. (Hey, it was Mardi Gras weekend.)

And we had a surge!!!

All of a sudden, the crowd surged forward and closer to the stage!

By three feet!

We were so excited!

And crushed!!

Behind us, there was a young woman with a child in a stroller. An unhappy child. Who cried a lot. Jerry asked if there wasn't some airplane missing a wailing child. The woman with the stroller kept pushing the stroller into the back of Judy's leg and due to the crowd, Judy couldn't move. She eventually gave up and she and Jerry went to the back to get out of the crowd.

And then the stroller was digging into my leg. The woman somehow managed to angle the stroller to one side and was then pushing into my back with the diaper bag. I found that I could relax my legs a little by leaning back on that bag and stuff she had shoved into me. She finally asked me if I couldn't move a little bit as I was crowding her. I pointed out that my friend had to move because of the stroller and that I hadn't moved one bit so if she thought she was being crowded, she might want to shift a bit. And then I lost my "resting place".

A little later, we heard "excuse us, coming through, excuse me, I need to get through."

We looked down and saw a couple of women making their way through the crowd. I was standing with a pocket of middle-agers and we looked at her as one and said, "why?"

Young Woman: I can't see.

Middle-agers: And?

Young Woman: We want to get up front so we can see.

Middle-agers: We've been here two hours.

Young Woman: So you won't let me through?

Middle-agers: No.

Young woman: But I'm worse off than when I started.

Middle-Agers: And?

And she and her friends turned around and started back through the crowd.

Middle-agers get surly after standing on concrete for 2 hours.

AND then...... we felt More Change!

Local dignataries were introduced!! Our junior United States Senator and former State Auditor Claire McCaskill informed us there were 20,000 of us. Really? 20,000? Well, she was our State Auditor, so she ought to know. I couldn't judge the crowd from where I was towards the front, but Judy and Jerry said that most of the floor was full, so maybe there were close to 20,000. And it was a very diverse crowd; multi-generational (but more on the younger side), multi-racial and pretty much split, multi-gender.

Also in attendance on the stage were former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan and her son, Russ, a United States Congressman. When Jean's late husband, Mel, was governor he died in a plane crash shortly before he defeated John Ashcroft for United States Senator. Jean went on to take Mel's seat in the Senate. Claire now occupies that Senate seat. We were counting the Missouri Democrats endorsing Obama and couldn't figure out who is left to endorse Hillary.

I asked if Nixon (Missouri Attorney General) is a democrat.

Jerry: Nixon is a democrat.

And that sentence made us giggle. OK, Jerry didn't giggle, being a guy. He kind of snorted.

I had a great view of what we had thought was the stage with the "Change" banner where we thought Obama would be standing. But shortly before Another Change in the evening, a local TV reporter and camera crew set up shop, blocking my view.

But the staging ended up being a little to the left of that, where I was totally blocked by a 6 foot guy.

But by standing on tippy toe, and also with the aid of a very nice tall young man next to me, I did get some decent pics of Obama after he finally arrived.

Security at the doors prevented people from bringing in their own signs, but "volunteers" handed out "official" signs to the crowd, "Stand Up for Change" and "A Change We Can Believe In".

BUT ---- I did see a few home made signs that people had folded up and carried in under their coats; "Vets for Obama", "Vietnam Veterans for a Change." Gotta love those crafty Vets!!

I'll admit, I don't know yet if I am for Obama or not. I'm still working on that. In his message, he said he wasn't going to tell us what we wanted to hear, but what he thought we needed to hear. Which, if you are wanting change, IS something you want to hear.

He made some campaign promises that he promised he would accomplish, and they all seemed expensive, especially since he made the usual campaign promise regarding tax cuts. I was intrigued by his promise of money for college students BUT --- those getting the money would be expected to serve their communities. Good idea. He addressed some rumors, that he's Muslim (while he has no problem with the Muslim faith) "...he has praised Jesus at the same Christian church for 20 years." He also mentioned that there have been e-mail rumors that he won't pledge allegiance to the flag, yet he is often seen on C-Span doing that very thing in the Senate.

He received rousing applause when he mentioned how happy he was that George W. Bush would no longer be on the ballot. He got even more applause, and laughter, when he said that the ballot would also not include the name of his cousin, Dick Cheney.

Today, Hillary and The Remaining Missouri Democrats (Nixon?) will be at the Machinists Hall in North County, and Romney is going to be at...um...Dave and Busters in West County. Can't get 20,000 people at Dave and Busters!

And today, my legs are killing me!!! Attending these political rallies is NOT for wimps.

But it's time now for me to get ready to attend a Supebowl Party. Since I'm still in my robe, this means that I'm ready for a Change.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

OVERHEARD CONVERSATION STOPPERS

2008-01-24T07:18:00.000-06:00

Not long ago, I was on a message board that was discussing conversation stoppers overheard in public settings. For instance, overheard in a restaurant was "You heard I was arrested for arson, right?" One stopper uttered by a writer to a friend over a coffee at a diner was "I think I'm going to have to kill Jess." Friend: "No! I really like Jess." Writer; "Nope, he's going to have to die."

I related the following, then realized, "Duh!" I'd been wanting to post this on MY blog since it happened, but didn't have time. After posting it on the message board, I decided to copy it here. The following is a conversation stopper I inadvertently supplied this past holiday season:

A friend and I had just survived Hell Week at our respective jobs and wanted to go to the lobby bar at the Ritz that Friday night. I had suggested taking a cab because it was my turn to drive and I wasn't in a Dedicated Driver mood. I wanted martinis. And since it was my turn to drive, I said I'd pay for the cab. She called later and said her son, Zac, offered to be our DD, knowing the week we'd both had. Zac is graduate assistant and he and his dog Kye were home for winter break. His friend, Anya, joined us that night.

The setting: Lobby bar at the Ritz Carlton. Mahogany bar; mahogany fireplace; Holiday decorations of pine roping intertwined with twinkle lights; pots of poinsettias; red and gold bows; our favorite local band setting up while piped-in jazz softly played in the back ground; overstuffed wing chairs, elegant wood and glass cocktail tables. Nearly everyone well-dressed, many women in cocktail dresses for office parties; lots of Coach, and Prada, mine being a knock-off. Our favorite waiter, Tony, fawned over us, and lied, "you girls are looking great tonight." ( We love Tony.)

Kathy, Anya and I ordered our martinis and Zac's soda and started to relax and unwind. During a lull in the conversation, I remembered an event Kath had related to me earlier that evening, but she had been interrupted and never got to finish. I took a sip of my martini and leaned back in my chair and casually asked:

"So, were you able to get the blood stains out of the carpet?"

Zac sprayed a mouthful of soda and began a bizarre combination of laughing and coughing.

We both looked at him in surprise. "What?!" we innocently asked in unison. Then we noticed the people at the table next to us, and Anya, warily watching. Anya may have moved her chair back a little. We started laughing hysterically. I may have peed a little.

Innocent Explanation: Earlier that day; like at 4:30 am, Kathy was getting ready for work. She had a 7:00 am flight to Chicago for client meetings and then a 6 PM flight back home, which is St. Louis. Late the night before, the client had called about needing something for the meeting, which meant she had to stop by the office to get it before catching her flight. So she was getting ready, thinking about her day, cursing the client for making it necessary that she be so rushed and up so early. After she dressed and finished drying her hair, she walked into the living room to a horrific sight.

Kye and her dog Cody had been playing as usual, but somehow, Cody's tooth had gotten snagged on Kye's leather collar. The collar had then gotten twisted around Kye's neck and was choking him. Cody had also been cut somewhere because he was bleeding profusely from someplace around his mouth. Kathy rushed over and tried to get the dogs apart. Nothing. The collar was so tight around Kye's neck that she couldn't get her fingers underneath it. His eyes were bulging. His bowels evacuated. Kye was dieing.

She found a pair of scissors, was finally able to get them between Kye and the collar, which was tricky because Cody was still trying to get his tooth lose and wouldn't stay still. She said she kept saying "oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god" while thinking that she did NOT have time for this. She yelled for Zac, but his room was in the lower level and he was sleeping. The leather of the collar was thick and she didn't think the scissors were going to cut through in time to save Kye's life. She kept screaming for Zac. Cody was shaking and bleeding. Kye was barely moving. "oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god god oh god oh god oh god."

FINALLY! The scissors cut through. The collar fell off, the dogs separated. Kye collapsed to the floor and took a deep, choking breath. Cody shook his head, spraying blood everywhere.

She ran to get a wet towel, still yelling for Zac. She got the blood off Cody's face and inspected him and never did find where he'd been cut. Kye was still lying on the floor, quiet but breathing regularly. She went downstairs to get Zac and tell him he had to deal with the mess in the living room because she had no time. But Zac wasn't home. A text message revealed he had decided to stay at a friends rather than drive home after a party.

She caught sight of herself in a mirror. A bloody stinky mess. With no time to spare, she had to shower again while not getting her hair wet, then change clothes, which was tricky, because due to Hell Week, everything decent for a business meeting was in the laundry or needed to go to the cleaners. Kye was now up and moving, coughing from time to time. She put the dogs downstairs, covered the mess with towels, got ready (wearing something she'd already worn that week, but oh well,) and called Zac as she sped to work and told him to go take care of things.

She had called me while waiting for her flight home that evening and told me what had happened, but had been interrupted by a gate change announcement and had to hustle to another terminal to catch her flight, but "oh, let's get together tonight and unwind." I knew that she and her sons had recently repainted the now blood-speckled walls, and the carpeting was new. And eggshell in color. The reason it was new was due to storm damage a few months earlier. I had gone through all of the storm damage and repair drama with them, which is why I had asked, "So, were you able to get the blood stains out of the carpet?"

(both dogs, by the way, are fine.)

(and yes, they were able to get the blood stains out of the carpet with the help of OxyClean)

ALL of the above is true. (except for us looking good that night. As I said, Tony lies. And we tip him well because he's so good at it)

FAMILY TRADITIONS

2007-12-28T08:25:00.000-06:00

Family traditions. One of ours is that every year for Christmas, my dad asks for a trolling motor. He has been asking for one every year for about 40 years. And please keep in mind he's had two of them during that time.

You know those stupid sayings, "Pink is the new Black", "70 is the new 50", "Dumb is the new smart" (I kinda made that one up).

Our family has a new one now, thanks to my son-in-law. "Wii is the new trolling motor."

While Jenni and I took Mom shopping yesterday afternoon, Tim went over to their house with his new Nintendo Wii (courtesy of my ex for Jenni and Tim for Christmas). When we left the mall, I called to tell "the boys" to meet us for dinner. Dad sounded slightly out of breath and I asked him if they'd had a chance to play Wii. Dad said they had and then added, "You gonna buy me one instead of a trolling motor?"

The trolling motor would have been cheaper.

Addendum: Trolling Motor

IT'S FOOTBALL, Y'ALL

2007-12-09T12:28:00.000-06:00

There is a land of college football that doesn't have to answer to the BCS stuff. In this land, championships are fought by teams who progress their way in an orderly and sane fashion. This college football land is called Division II. Next weekend in Florence, Alabama, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats face the Valdosta State University Blazers.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I went with Jenni and Tim to Northwest's game against West Texas A & M.

That's me on the left, Jenni on the right. Trust me.

Oh, did I mention that it was frikkin' cold?

Although, that doesn't explain why this young woman was wearing a grass skirt.

Jenni said the students had held a pep rally the night before.

OK, whatever.

We were very thankful for the space heater in Tim's office where we warmed our tootsies at half-time.

.

The kicker for West Texas kicked BAREFOOT. Did I mention it was cold?

Ouch.

The following week, Northwest traveled to Chadron State in Nebraska where they dealt with snow..

Prior to last night's game against Grand Valley, 5 inches of snow had to be removed from the field and the stands. Then a freezing rain fell during the game. In the last minutes of the game, with the score 34-16, Grand Valley's coach called a time out, crossed the field and advised Northwest's coach that he was going to let the clock run out in hopes of preventing injuries.

Let's hope the weather is better in Florence next weekend.

Oh wait. The Bearcats do well in bad weather.

And by the way, i 2005 and 2006, the Bearcats lost to Grand Valley in the Championship Game in Florence. So last night's win at home was very sweet for the Bearcats.

YES, I KNOW.....

2007-12-08T07:58:00.000-06:00

..... I need to update this. And I do plan on cleaning out the blog closet soon and post pictures from Sacramento, San Francisco and Niagara Falls (both trips); but first, I need your help with this:

FOR THE LOVE OF PETE --- WILL SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THE BCS TO ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Thank you.

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY

2007-10-31T21:56:00.000-05:00

As I reported last month, Meghan packed up and moved to Buffalo

Because of a boy:

I went up to Buffalo a couple of weeks ago to do that motherly checking in thing.

They seem to be adjusting to the local customs.

While we were there, we did the touristy thing and went to see water fall great distances.

We saw the rainbow underneath the Rainbow Bridge (which has nothing do to with Gay Pride or dead puppies)

We enjoyed the sights at night......

....and then paid a toll to get back into the country (I mean, Huh?)

And the great news is........

A week later, Ben proposed, and Meghan accepted.

The wedding is April or May......and I'm returning this weekend with Jenni to go shopping for the wedding dress.

THE NEST IS EMPTY

2007-10-04T18:27:00.000-05:00

My youngest birdie moved out of the nest last month. She rented a U-Haul, packed up her belongings

and moved to BUFFALO, NEW YORK because of a ---

BOY!

But I happen to like Ben, so we all got busy loading up the truck.......

......although she questioned my efforts.......

.......but I pointed out that I wasn't the only one who took a break now and then.

There were even breaks for pillow fights.

It was finally all done........

....she said goodbye to her parents.......

.....got in one last pillow fight.....

.....and one last picture.......

....and then *sob* left home.

*sniff*

DAD'S 80TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

2007-09-08T17:52:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, we threw a surprise party for my dad who turned 80 this past Tuesday

The planning began to go awry close to party time. We were supposed to get access to the back room at the restaurant to quickly decorate before Dad, Mom and my Texas sister, Janice, and her clan arrived at 2:30. As Meghan and I were driving to the restaurant, I called Mom to let her know we were on our way. She let me know they were on their way, too, because she said they were supposed to be there at 2:00 and there was no way she could hold Dad back. He was hungry.

Hoo boy.

Jenni and Tim were on their way to get balloons, etc., so I told them to abort and head to the restaurant.

Janice called and said they had successfully diverted Dad to a Starbucks saying that my niece, Jessie, needed a coffee before going to lunch. I relayed this to Meghan, who said, "Grandpa's not dumb. He knows."

I called Jenni and Tim and told them to abort the aborting and continue getting balloons, etc.

At the appointed time, Dad, Mom and Janice's clan arrived and Dad seemed surprised.

Part of that was because we had kept it a secret, even from Mom, that Meghan was able to attend. I wish I had a picture of the look on Mom's face when she saw Meghan. I haven't seen her move so fast in ages as she did when she made a bee-line for her.

Janice told us that when she announced it was time to leave Starbucks, Dad stayed put, announcing he wasn't ready to leave.

He was messing with them, the stinker.

Little Miss Annarae was able to attend, but her parents had to work. She was escorted by her Grandpa Bob and Grandma Carol. They almost lost the privilege of escorting her. On the way to St. Louis, they stopped at a Target where they lost one of Annarae's shoes and one of the pearl earrings that The Other Grandma gave her. (Carol said she had a pair just like them and The Other Grandma would never know.) And the next morning at breakfast, Carol and Bob bobbled a handoff over the table, dragging Annarae's foot through a bowl of oatmeal, which flipped and landed on a lady at another table. You'd think they would be more practiced than that.

I happend to think Jenni looked quite natural holding a baby. This was the first time she met her cousin's baby.

Tim introduced himself to Annarae, telling us that babies usually didn't like him at first.

Annarae gave him careful consideration....not real sure about kissing the guy with the goofy hair.

And then made her decision.

Oh, but wait. There's icecream? Well, that's different. It's genetic.

The next day, Annarae found the Baby in the Mirror at my parents house.

She carefully considered whether or not she liked The Baby in the Mirror.

Then decided to give The Baby a kiss.

And here's the whole clan that was able to attend.

Back row; those who married into the family; Ken (Jessie's husband), Tim (Jenni's husband); Don (Janice's husband); and Bob (Carol's husband)

Next row, The Cousins: Jessie, Jenni and Meghan (Missing are Robert Wayne; Kevin; and Annarae's parents, Stacey and Chase
Next row: The Sisters: Carol, Janice, Donna.

Front Row: Dad, Mom and, of course, Annarae.

Also missing from this post is the story about How The Texans Turned a 14 Hour Trip Into A 21 Hour Odessy (or, DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO GET OUT OF ARKANSAS?!?!) I omitted that story because it's a sad reflection on the family, and heavens, I wouldn't want to do that!

Also missing from the festivities was this guy:

Who arrives next Saturday to help my daughter move to the frozen Northeast. To live. A thousand miles away from her mother.

boo hoo

BITCHUS INTERRUPTUS*....and a potpourri of ponderings

2007-08-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

I was home last weekend (YAY) and spent some of my overtime earnings on a new laptop. A MacBook. It was necessary to buy another laptop because my Dell has once again turned into a paperweight. Something about a power source. One would think that means the source of power is the problem. And one (meaning me) would think the source of power would be (1) the power cord or (b) the battery. And yet, both work,. And yet, the laptop doesn't.

I was told by the Dell people that the power source INSIDE the laptop doesn't work. I went to the Dell Kiosk in the mall where a couple of guys I wouldn't trust to show me how to make a paper airplane explained to me that Dell no longer makes that model laptop. They did have a number I could call to talk to someone who may be in this country (but who may be in another country) who could hook me up to the people who sell parts to laptops Dell no longer sells. But they would be happy to sell me a new one.

60 seconds later, I was in the Apple Store and 45 minutes later, I was walking out with my MacBook.

Since this all involves technology, and that always involves glitches, I figured that another plus to all of this (besides having a working laptop) was that I also purchased some blog fodder.

Imagine my surprise and delight to find setting up the computer and getting connected went smoothly.

I mentioned this to some good friends and family members and said that I was robbed of blog fodder. "Bitchus Interruptus" is how one termed it.

And I told him I would steal that and use it.

And I did.

BUT, all is not lost. When one is in need of blog fodder, there is always air travel. My flight back to Sacramento provided me with such fodder. Actually, not the flight itself, but a certain TSA agent in St. Louis.

There is the new guideline of 3-1-1. Three ounces of liquid in a 1 quart ziplock bag and 1 bag per passenger.

So, I had my mascara, foundation and eyedrops in a 1 quart baggie.

I also had powercords to my Blackberry, cellphone and iPod in another baggie for organization purposes.

And I had my Blackberry, cellphone and iPod in yet another one quart baggie, again for organization purposes. I have had those items in my carry-on when going through security and have had TSA agents call for a bag check to figure out what the cords, etc. are. So now, I just pull then out of my carry-on and put then into those plastic trays to send through x-ray. They stay nice and neat in the baggie.

Until I ran into Yesterday's TSA Agent In-Search-of-a-Brain.

He confiscated my two extra baggies. I had to take the powercords and electronic equipment out of them and he took the baggies, saying passengers were each limited to ONE baggie.

When he informed me if my violation, I froze while removing my shoes. "What?!?"

He said, pointing to a sign, 3-1-1. "Only one baggie per passenger. "

"But--" I started to argue. The gentleman behind me said, "I'd cave on this. What does it matter, he's taking your baggie, not your iPod."

I agreed and continued my travels with a carry-on full of unorganized powercords and electronic equipment. But my flights were safe from me having too many 1 quart baggies.

And he is between us and terrorists.

Hoo boy.

*Thank you, Jerry, for the caption idea.

UPDATE: One complaint about the MacBook. When I attempted to run spellcheck on this post, I found out that function doesn't work with MAC OS/X (is that the name of my new operating system? Or is it MAC OX/S? Or Mac/Sox?)

UPDATE TWO: OK, two topics in one post hardly makes for a "potpourri of ponderings", but I'm on the patio at the hotel and, frankly, I'm freezing. It's currently 92 degrees in St. Louis 11:00 pm, but it's 67 in Sacramento at 9:00 pm -- and breezy. I'm even wearing a fleece jacket. And this is after scoffing at a Sacramentonian I saw today who was wearing a leather jacket. Leather!! In August!!!

But fleece is OK.

FIRSTS!!!!

2007-07-21T00:08:00.000-05:00

I've had a series of firsts here lately.

In no particular order, they are:

eBay. I made my first eBay purchase.

I saw these while reading another blog (scroll down to last picture). One of the comments mentioned they are no longer available in stores, but available on eBay, so I quickly dashed there and put in a bid. And got them. YAY. OK, "got them" meaning I've got the bid. This whole eBay thing is NOT for someone who is into instant gratification. I think the auction closed last Thursday (as in last week), the P@ypal payment finally cleared yesterday, so I'm still waiting....waiting....waiting.

I've always been somewhat intimidated by the whole eBay thing. I had some Pfalzgraft dishes I thought about selling and when I checked out how to do it, I figured a garage sale was much easier. As it ended up, Meghan needed them for her apartment last year, so that took care of decisions for me.

OK, second First..... I bought something on QVC. Earrings. Two pair. I had a friend who was on sick leave several years ago, and she said she had to go back to work to break the QVC habit she developed while recovering (and for several birthdays and Christmases after that, I received items I KNEW were QVC purchases...but were very nice and fit mny tastes)(can you tell I'm covering myself in case she reads this?)(but seriously, they were nice)(honest).

But whenever I'm channel surfing and run across QVC, they are selling some kind of elastic-waist old ladies' slacks or something frumpy, so I've never felt the urge to stop and watch. Then buy.

But the other night....earrings. Gorgeous. So gorgeous, in fact, that I bought a pair of white gold and yellow gold. The yellow gold arrived 4 days later. That was a week ago and I'm still waiting on the white gold that were shipped the same day. QVC customer service advises me to wait until July 22 before I panic and pitch a fit. So, I'm thinking that will be my last QVC purchase. And to make sure, I did NOT watch when the Dooney and Burke handbags were being sold beause, OH, love the D&B.

Third first, massage. By a guy. I've had a couple of massages by women and they were OK. Last week, a co-worker and I decided the cure for being away from home for an extended period of time and working the hours we are was to treat ourselves to massages and parafin body wraps.

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

I got the parafin body wrap first. Never had one before. Not sure I'll get one again, but it was a great experience. I will admit that during the process, I was thinking "It's a good thing my grandma has passed on because if she knew I was paying to have hot wax poured over me, she'd have a hissy fit." But after I was covered in parafin and they wrapped me in ...whatever it was... it was just a slice of heaven.

Then the wax was removed and I went for the massage by a Russian rowing coach, Leonid. He started with my right leg and after one stroke, exclaimed, "You're just like a candle!"

When my massage was over, I dressed, then turned and looked at the table and noticed it was covered with chunks of parafin.

My co-worker got the wrap after her massage and while I was getting my massage. She's convinced that on our way home, she left a trail of parafin flakes behind her. We also noted as we walked back to our hotel, that walking in flipflops with "parafin feet" takes a certain skill. That we apparently don't possess.

TRADITION!!

2007-07-04T08:07:00.001-05:00

I'm a big fan of holiday traditions. And traditions aren't limited to "The Holidays" in November and December.

My daughters and I had a Fourth of July tradition of going down to the St. Louis Riverfront to watch the fireworks. I'm not a big fan of crowds. Hate them. But on the Fourth, it was worth it to me to elbow our way through hundreds of thousands of people eating funnel cake and corn-on-the cob, walk down the steps on the Arch grounds, stumble over the cobblestones and get to the river's edge. Then we'd wait an hour or so before seeing one of the most spectacular fireworks displays around.

Some people would talk about how well they could see the fireworks from miles away while sitting on lawnchairs in their front yards. OK, you may be able to see the higher fireworks, but miss out on all of the ground works. And the "wow" factor of seeing them up close.

The girls haven't been in St. Louis for several years for the Fourth, but they still talk about those times.

This year, I'm visiting Jenni and Tim and we're watching their neighbors prepare for their Fourth of July tradition. They have their grandchildren visit and participate in what they call "Cousin Camp". Apparently, there is a theme for the annual Cousin Camp. This year's theme is "Cowboys and Indians".

In the front yard, three teepees have been erected.

The back yard apparently is the cowboy territory as it has a fort. And a graveyard. We're a little perplexed by that one, to tell the truth. You'll have to squint, it's the white spot in the photo, which was larger. Blogger shrunk them for some reason.

The cousins haven't arrived yet; probably due later today.

Cousin Camp. What a great memory-maker.

Then there's this perplexing Fourth of July tradition.

SATURDAY NIGHT IN SACRAMENTO

2007-06-17T00:29:00.000-05:00

I'm out on the patio at the Hyatt currently being ignored by the waitress.

*sigh*

She has one of those deep smoker voices, kind of like a 30-year old Bea Arthur, and just chided a couple of guys at the next table for going in to the bar to get their drinks. "Who told you that you had to go inside? I'll take care of you right out here.

And then she walked past me on her way in.

I waited.

And waited.

And waited (did I mention that I'm starving?)

She finally came out with their drinks. And then turned and walked past me on her way inside.

"HEY!" I yelled.

She walked up to another table. "Yes?" she drawled. They replied they didn't need anything and she turned to walk inside, going past me.

"Seriously, HelLO!!!!!!"

She turned to look and then seemed startled to see me. OK, it is night on the patio and little lighting. But, I have this computer turned on and the screen is like a frikkin' beacon. I feel like I'm in some sort of spotlight.

Anyway.... this morning at breakfast, I noticed the hotel is full of elegant and beautiful middle-aged women and their elderly, doddering rich husbands. I was puzzled as to what kind of convention this would be, and went to investigate.

By investigate, I mean that I read the line up of events on the hotel channel in my room.

International Association of Right of Way (it's some sort of educational thing; not a group of people advocating rules of the road).

And Jason G's bar mitzvah.

Bingo.

And this bar mitzvah, oh my gosh, let me tell you. The title of it is (yes, it has a title), "Tech It Easy With Jason". I know this because of the multi-colored banner stretching across the entrance to the ballrooms. With his photo on either side of "Tech it easy with Jason". His little entry into manhood is taking up three ballrooms. Several times today I passed by while they were setting up. The coordinator was a combination of all 5 "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy" guys.

"We'll have an arch, right here! And Neil will be arriving soon with the fabricking. (Fabricking?) It's black velvet and we're setting it up so that when people arrive at 7:30 it will look like night." There was an elaborate hand gesture when he said that and I assume it was supposed to represent twinkling stars. And let me tell you, this guy would know about twinkling, ifyouknowwhatimean. Andithink youdo.

I glanced inside at the ballroom(s) and noticed a stage had been set up, complete with lights and sound systems and the whole sheebang. As if they were setting up for a concert.

I passed by again, I'm assuming after Jason became a man, and noticed the night-like entrance being guarded by two bouncers (is it common to have bouncers at a bar mitzvah?) who were checking invitations. OK, when was the last time anyone had the urge to crash a bar mitzvah? Maybe I'm missing something. Each bouncer wore flashing lights around his neck. And look rather embarrassed to be wearing them.

*aside --- while I've been out here on the patio, every few minutes, I hear an annoying voice from across the way saying "Hi, I'm A-MAN-da from Ala-BAM-a." Amazingly, she's surrounded by a lot of people. You'd think they avoid her so she'd quit saying that --- or is that some sort of punchline to a joke?*

Anyway.....

And all of the people filing in to Jason's bar mitzva after being approved by the bouncers? Walking in into the night with the pulsing music one would hear at a Los Angeles club? All of those elegant and beautiful middle-aged women and their doddering, elderly rich husbands.

I didn't see anyone under 46.

And by the way.... my waitress brought my wine and food and told me she's leaving and I'm being turned over to someone else who will ignore me. OK, she didn't put it that way, but she DID take her replacement around to the other tables to introduce her (Lisa) and passed right by me.

*sigh*

I think I'm going to start opening and closing my laptop so I can send out an SOS. Obviously, it's my fault. I apparently wore my stealth suit today. Maybe one of the bouncers will loan me his necklace.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND RACE

2007-05-26T18:22:00.000-05:00

The Indy 500?

No, just my life.

*takes a deep breath*

I got up at 5:30 this morning and was in to work by 6:30 so I could finish some stuff that popped up at the end of the day yesterday and with it being a holiday weekend and then having to be in Sacramento next week, I had to do it and I was supposed to have breakfast with my parents and get my hair done and it was in REALLY bad shape with roots showing and looking all scraggly and crappy but more and more stuff had to get done and there was no airconditioning at the office even though security said the AC was working but what do they know because they were sitting in their airconditioned lobby telling us on the 34th floor who were sweating like pigs that the airconditioning was actually working and I beg to differ with them but I had too much to do to argue with them and I changed breakfast with the parents to lunch and I changed my hair appointment to the afternoon JUST TWO AND ONE HALF HOURS BEFORE MY FLIGHT oh my gosh am I dumb or what.

*inhale*

So I got out of work and drove to my parents to have lunch with them and oh heavens but they seemed to have taken their slow-poke pills today or was it just because I was in a hurry but after greeting me dad sat down and started to chat as I'm at the door scratching and sniffing like a puppy wanting to go out saying come on let's go to lunch we're burning daylight and dad said the dining room doesn't open until noon so instead we go to a nearby restaurant in separate cars so I can leave from there and not waste time so we race to the restaurant and by we I mean me because I swear dad must have have the emergency brake on the whole way and then they finally arrived and were half way across the parking lot and dad turned around to go back to the car and I was watching that thinking NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

*inhale*

So they come in (finally) and s l o w l y ordered or it just seemed like that to me because to me time was fleeting and we eat and covered all bases how are the kids how are your sisters how are you what's wrong with the Cardinals --

Seriously, what is WITH those guys?!?!

-- and I checked my watch and OH MY GOSH Kathy was picking me up in one hour to take me to the hair salon and I had to go home and pack and finish laundry and all kinds of other stuff I had wanted to do that morning but nooooooooooo I couldn't because I had to go to work because some dumb and stupid attorney (on the other side) just had to file some dumb and stupid stuff that made me have to work to get ready for the next week and so I raced home but stopped first to get cash at the ATM and nooooooooooo I didn't have my debit card oh my gosh did I leave it at the Ritz last night (I will blog about Friday Night at the Ritz later) and panic panic panic I'm leaving town and I don't have my debit card and I wasted time at the ATM and OH! I used a different purse last night ant the card is in it ok don't panic just go home and pack.

*Inhale*

So I run around the house and throw clothes in the general direction of my suitcase and I don't even want to hear anything from anyone about how I could have stayed home last night and done laundry and packed like goody two shoes Jerry did last night before leaving for Denver today instead of going to the Ritz and just shut up because hey I wanted a life for one night ok fine and now I'm paying for it and maybe a tornado will hit my house while I'm gone and will clean it and I was thisclose to cancelling my hair appointment so I could fold laundry dust and finish the dishes but HEY no one is going to see the house for the next three weeks except Judy and Kathy who have keys if Kathy remembers to get them made and remembers that there's a bag of garbage for her to pick up hint hint because Monday is my garbage day and that's a holiday and her day is Tuesday or something but anyway what was I saying oh yeah no one is going to see the house for the next three weeks but they sure will be seeing me and my hair in bad need of work so I left.

*inhale*

Kathy picked me up and we raced to the salon and she dropped off me and my luggage and ouch that one is heavy and Carla did my hair and for SOME REASON I decided what the heck let's go lighter with the highights and oh my i'm blonde ok not quite blonde but wow it's lighter and the cab came and damn it's the biggoted driver I had last week and when he found out I was going to pay by debit card he wanted to drive by a bank so I could get cash (WTF?!?!?!) and I said they had one at the airport and we got there, I got his money (which cut into his tipbytheway) got checked in and that suitcase that landed on my toe is 7 pounds over and now has a tag on it that says "OVERWEIGHT 51 - 100 lbs" so obviously Nicole Richie works for Southwest if they consider 51 - 100 lbs to be overweight and I go through security and there's a family of about 15 ahead of us and 4 of them are in wheelchairs and instead of having two they have us all in the same line and I keep thinking that's a lot of people one family to be in wheelchairs my gosh was there an accident and they notice me fidgeting and ask me when my flight leaves and I said it's boarding now and they let me go ahead except I'm behind some of the girls in that family who are having their bags checked because security thinks that a family of people in wheelchairs might have nefarious things in their luggage disguised as medical supplies but I make it and I get on the plane just as Meghan calls and wants to chat but I can't because the attendant is asking me to hang up and Meghan finds out I'm going to see her sister and not her and she gets huffy on me (seriously) and then we take off.

And I'm in the airport in Kansas City and I'm waiting for Jenni and Tim's flight and a guy next to me asks me to watch his son while he goes to the bathroom and he's been gone for like 20 nminutes and the son who is like 9 asks me what time it is and says their flight leaves in 15 minutes but says his dad usually takes a long time in the bathroom and I asked if he took a newspaper with him and the kid laughed and the dad returned and the kid said hey dad did you take a newspaper with you and the dad said no why and the kid ratted me out.

*cough*

And Jenni and Tim's flight is delayed and they won't get here until 9:30.

So

I

now

have

all

kinds

of

time

on

my

hands.

I'd

write

more

about

that

but

I

need

to

steal

some

old

guys'

oxygen

tank

and

take

a

few

hits

off

it.

*collapse*

MEGHAN'S GRADUATION WEEKEND

2007-05-14T08:41:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Tim served as the Official Graduation Photographer, and did a most excellent job.

I ask you, does she look happy? I think so.

Now, this photo has caused some controversy in the family. The gentleman looking on in the background is Meghan's dad. This photo was just a coincidence; he really does like Ben and he really wasn't glaring.

Much.

The ASA girls; Three Meghans and an Amanda.

Most of the family; my sister and brother-in-law had already left.

Before dinner, we had to get in some goofy pictures on campus.

But this wasn't one of the goofy ones.

I had to make sure Jenni didn't think I was playing favorites.

The family went for a graduation dinner at Patti's 1880 Settlement. (Good food). We were in the "Doll Room". Dolls were hanging all over the place.

Afterwards, we walked around the "settlement", where I got a shot of Meghan's dad doing something I thought I should save for posterity, because you don't see it much anymore. Children, he's doing what we used to call "changing the film."

Gaggles of kids in Prom gear were there as well. Meghan's paternal grandpa, Ed, offered to take some pictures, getting some good thigh shots. Tim served as camera caddy.

After this picture was taken, my dad walked up to Ed and shook his hand, congratulating him for thinking of that idea.

The grandparents.

We asked Dad and Ed what they were looking at. They looked at each other, then Ed said, I don't remember. Dad said, "That's our story and we're sticking to it."

After dinner, the kids went to the Marina where they did some more of that kissing stuff.

My kids.

SACRAMENTO

2007-04-26T00:05:00.000-05:00

1. You can't easily get here from there. "There" being the Midwest. Basically, it takes a good chunk of the day in travel time; at least half a day if you are lucky with connections. In my travels back and forth to Sacramento from St. Louis, I've also been to Phoenix, Las Vegas, Kansas City and Denver. OK, so back in the day, it took DAYS to get there, but that was then, this is now. All I ask for is a direct flight.

2. When driving in downtown Sacramento, looking in your rear view mirror and seeing a train on your bumper does NOT mean you've had too much to drink and you've driven onto the train tracks. But I still find it somewhat disconcerting when look in the rear view mirror and see that a train is tailgating.

3. The Confederation of California Republican Women have no sense of humor. I'll just leave it at that.

4. Trains here have turn signals. OK, so they really aren't' trains per se, more like street cars, but still, it's strange to see a train with its left turn signal blinking.

5. I saw the Governator. From afar. I'm sure he wrote about it in his blog as well.

6. The Confederation of California Republican Women need to loosen their corsets.

7. I saw a Hindu wedding procession. Absolutely beautiful. But the hotel still reeks of curry and incense three days later.

8. I'm still finding sequins and rhinestones in the elevator days after the Sweet Adelines had their convention here.

9. The difference between the Confederation of California Republican Women and the Northern California Sweet Adelines is all in the harmony. Guess which group has none.

UPDATE: My contact lenses are still on back order with Crown Optical. I ordered those on March 15 and they STILL can't tell me when they will be delivered. Mind you, they've had my money since then, but I don't have my contacts. They have supplied me with trial contact lenses, but just don't seem to be too concerned about getting my order filled. This is getting annoying.