Weekend - Part #1

I guess I technically started my weekend early -- on Thursday -- even though I had to work on Friday.

Thursday night I went over to Kate's house and she made tacos for us. Her & Cathy (who happens to be my tax accountant) planned this girls night out a few weeks ago. We went to this hotel called The Grand. There were 6 of us (me, Kate, Cathy & 3 of Cathy's friends). They have karaoke in their bar on Thursday nights. We had plenty of wine to drink before we got there so I was plenty buzzed. I knew people were expecting me to sing Baby Got Back, as Kate promised them as much. Cathy & I didn't expect each other to be as fun as we are, as we only ever knew each other in the business sense. But we all had a blast. Kate & I sang "our song" Goodbye Earl. And then I sang Baby Got Back & all the girls got up and started waving their tails around to the rest of the people there. We sang Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, which was totally not in any of our ranges. Then I sang I'm Too Sexy and once again the girls got up to strut their stuff. Kate tried singing Flashdance because she knows I just can't resist doing some type of interpretive dance to that song. She laughed so hard that I don't think she got even 20 words out. Then Kate sang something else that Carrie & I danced to (we were funny!). We ended the night with singing Happy Birthday to Carrie. So - of course all of this was with additional beverages. Then back to Kate's house for snacks. Needless to say, I was very tired Friday morning (as well as hoarse, my voice may have been able to pass for Barry White's - this always happens when I sing too much and strain my voice and am in a smokey bar.)

Last night, Andy & I headed out for a little getaway. I bought this "Getaway Package" to the Best Western in Menomonie, WI. It included a pizza from their lounge & 2 movie passes to a local theater. Actually - I am typing this entry at the hotel as I wait for Andy to get ready (he's slow this morning - very sleepy). We went to see Aviator. I thought it was just an ok movie. It was just shy of 3 hours. So, soon as he gets ready we head back home, with a few stops in the city. It was a nice little break from home, used the hot tub, and got to sleep uninterrupted from the cats, which is always nice.

I will post Part #2 later (after it happens.) Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Timberlodge Appetizers

Get Apps for a Buck at Timberlodge. (Yes Andy, I said apps.) You can go through the website and sign up to get this coupon and they send you the coupon in an email & they give you this link. It's the same link for everyone.

We used this on Saturday and got some wings(w/ celery & ranch & blue cheese dressings).

I am sure I will use one again next time we go, as long as the link posted here is still good.

A-OK

Had a physical and annual exam yesterday. Everything looks good. My blood pressure was great (105/58). A year ago I went on the "Patch" for birth control and it raised my blood making me hypertensive; I was not comfortable in my own skin having that high of blood pressure. Needless to say I did not use that form of birth control very long.

Had to get some shots too. I needed new tetnus and I asked to start the Hepatitis A series (series of 2 shots given 6 months apart). I got one in each arm, so they are a little sore.

Tomorrow I need to go into the lab to get my blood drawn to have a cholesterol check done. Last year it was borerline high, so that's not good. I've been walking a lot more and been taking supplements that are supposed to help with cholesterol, so we'll see how they have helped. You have to fast for 8 hours to have the test done, so I couldn't get it done yesterday as I had my appt shortly after lunch.

Companies that Piss Me Off

Andy told me last night that we are going to HAVE to move to Costa Rica because there will be no companies left soon in the U.S. that I will do business with.

I hate Sprint. They just steal your money with all sorts of charges. We don't do business with them anymore and won't do business with them again. See - that's what happens - I get pissed and that's it, no more business with them. They probably don't want to do business with me either.

Then there is this local plumbing company. This one particular company really pissed me off. They were double charging on the trip charges and extra time on the labor time and I just didn't want to be taken advantage of. BTW - I HATE TRIP CHARGES. WTF! So, anyways, I started out talking calmly to this woman there about the charges and I was getting no where and asked to speak to a manager and she refused - the bitch - and so I started to get mad and then she started telling me I should not get upset and should lower my voice - that pissed me off even more. So, I filed a complaint with the BBB and got money back for the extra trip charges, but they said they only charge for FULL hours, so I had to pay for 2 hours when it was only 1.25 hours. Bastards. I don't do business with them anymore. I have not had good experiences with plumbers and have a general dislike for them. Poor Andy had to learn how to do all sorts of plumbing since I don't like them. I hate the idea of paying $250/hr. on a weekend or a night because my pipe burst. We actually had to pay that once but luckily we had this insurance thingy that the sellers gave us and that covered it.

So now, my latest target is Dell. I have wasted 2 hours of my life online with them, 30 minutes on hold on the phone (which they never did pick up and I had to settle for online), 4 days of an unusable laptop & now another 2 weeks of an unusable laptop. First off, if they would give one customer undivided attention they could get done with the chat thing in 10 minutes, but instead last night I was there for 1 hour 11 minutes because it was 2-4 minutes between responses, and those were busy work stuff that did not solve anything. Now I have to wait for them to send me a box so that I can send my computer back and it will take up to 9 days for them to fix it (that's what they say, but the phone also said I would have up to a 10 minute wait and I was there for 30 minutes and still had no help.) I also hate that any Dell part or Dell ink for the printer HAS to be bought from them. You cannot buy it from any other place (except maybe eBay - you can find anything there and it's a very dangerous place for me, at times I am very addicted to Ebay.) So, I still have no working laptop. For some reason it is not recognizing the adapter and is only running off the battery and the battery runs out of juice. So, I am sure I am bound to get more pissed off before I get a working computer. I don't ever want to buy another Dell product just because their customer service sucks so bad!

There is also a seller on Half.com (elephant something) that I don't like. They sell a lot of stuff there and usually have the cheapest prices, but they cancel a lot of orders because "they don't have it anymore" (jackass - take it off your inventory then) and they FORGET to send out your stuff. I had this happen to me twice (both times I ordered several books from them at the same time). Luckily I always have gotten refunded through half.com, but it takes a LONG time to get your money back. So, now I just don't buy from them. Always check out feedback of people on half.com & ebay. That is what it is there for. There are some crummy people out there. I have to say that half.com has been good about refunding for crummy sellers and paypal has gotten my money back a couple times when sellers did not ship their products (so - kudos to half.com & paypal - both eBay companies.)

I am sure there are plenty more companies out there that piss me off, but that's the list of ones I won't do business with anymore because they piss me off so bad. Why put myself in a situation that I may potentially get upset? It makes no sense to me.

Lazy Weekend

Andy & I went to eat some Chinese (Lo-Mein - a favorite) at Long Cheng's and then went to Javalive (a coffeeshop) to see their free live entertainment, Kicking Pharmeceuticals (a punk band).

Saturday, we drove to the Cities so that Andy could pick up some parts for his project car. They we stopped at a new natural food store & an Aveda salon on the way home. Dinner was at Timberlodge.

Sunday I went to a babyshower and that was the highlight of my day.

A pretty dull weekend if I may say.

Week 5 of 8-week Plan

Ok - Now you need to add the following to what you are already doing.

Note: There were optional items that you can do each week, but they are optional (like fasting) and I did not include them in my list. You can buy the book if you want to find out what they are and do them.

Add: ginger tea, increase walking to 30 minutes, increase news fast to 3 days, listen to uplifting music, take a sauna.

I am actually enjoying the news fasts and am really enjoying the flowers.

Plastic Surgery

Tonight I was watching this show on Discovery Health about Plastic Surgeries before and after and this one woman got a breast augmentation because 1) her breasts were different sizes and 2) they were very droppy. The doctor doing the consultation and surgery measured the droop in her breasts and said that they want the breast at about 22" (measuring from the collar bone to the nipple). This woman on the show was measuring 31". Wow! That's 9 additional inches of droop. That's crazy. Of course I had to measure mine and see where I was at. I'm fine.

I am starting to notice lines on my forehead more now. I am not sure if they have already been there. Not noticing any wrinkles, just the lines. But now I will watch if they get worse or are just there. I wouldn't be opposed to plastic surgery in the future if I felt I needed it, but that time is not right now.

Week 4 of the 8-week plan

Soemthing have been easy to do, others a little more challenging, and other things I have already been doing.

So, as before, add this to what you have already been doing:
* Eat more garlic
* Increse walking to 25 minutes
* Contact someone with a healing (healed) experience
* Get an Air filter (at least one for the bedroom)
* Check out your bedroom & mattress and make sure there is no disturbances and you can sleep comfortably

Last week I was not able to get in the 5 times walking. I only did my walking 3 times and did yoga once. I have no excuse worthy of typing why I did not complete the rest.

I have been liking buying fresh flowers. Today I bought a pot with pink tulips in them. The potted plant cost as much as the cut flowers and they are just beautiful. Almost makes me forget about all that snow outside.

I've been trying to cut back on the exposure to news, as it does seem like everytime you see a commercial for a news program they are telling you about how your children (or yourself) are all going to die and you better tune in to find out what you can do to prevent that. I can do without all that.

And I didn't really replace meat twice a meat with soy products, I just started adding them in, like soy milk, black soy beans, mix some tofu in the scrambled eggs, etc. Although I have really started to watch the portion sizes of the meat I am serving and keeping them to reasonable portion sizes (3-4 oz.)

I did notice that when I didn't take my vitamins this morning (& waited to this afternoon) that my energy was zapped and the flowers to make me feel nice.

A Good 8 Inches

Ok. So, maybe it wasn't 8 inches. I didn't measure it. It could have been 7 inches, or it might have been 9 inches for all I know. All I know is that it's the biggest I've had all year. I think it had Andy baffled too, as he was pushing it all over the place on both Friday & Saturday. And Andy was so willing to offer his services. I am sure the neighbors really appreciated it. And when he was done, they could just go about their business. He even offered his services to the little old lady with the bad back who lives across the road. After Andy was done she was not going to have a bad back that night. Although, he didn't really offer, it was more of he just went ahed and did it. You should see all the piles of white stuff all over the place. It's just amazing. I would have never thought there would have been so much, and that was just from Friday. I am still not sure what we are going to do with all those piles. I was playing around with it, but it's not the good sticky kind that you can make balls with. So, after I was done throwing it at the dog I was done with it.

We pretty much had to stay inside all Friday because of it. It just would not stop. It was about over when we decided to go to bed, but that is when all the blowing started. I am not sure I am ready for anymore, but it might be happening again this week. I hope that this time we just don't get so much snow. You knew that was what I was talking about all along - didn't you?

The Milk Man Delivers

It's for the Twin Cities area and does not go any further south than Lakeville/Elko. Andy & I saw the milkman truck when we were last in the Cities and I was just reading about it in one of my mags and thought I would check out what's online about it - and sure enough. You can get fresh milk delivered to your house the same day. I am so jealous we can't get this.

Dumb Ass Ways to NOT Break the Law

If you are going to break the law and get caught, then be a dumb ass about it so that we have something entertaining to read about in the paper and talk about it at work. Here are the Dumb Ass Ways to NOT Break the Law:

1) If you are going to steal beer, don't pass out at the scene.

2) If you are going to be transporting drugs, don't commit minor traffic violations.

3) If you are going to pass yourself as an actor, make sure you know what country they are from.

4) If you rob someone, don't call them back and ask for a date.

5) If you are in prison, take what you get. Beggars can't be choosers.

6) If you are going to sue Mc Donald's, make sure they don't have a reason to counter sue.

7) If you are working security at an airport, make sure you don't get caught stealing. Who is the security from airport security?

8) If you don't want to get arrested for animal cruelty, then don't bring a van full of sick & dead animals to the police.

9) If you want to keep your kid, don't dangle them out of a window. You are not Michael Jackson and don't have the money to pay many lawyers to get you out of trouble.

10) If you are going to chase down a bus because they forgot your kid, you might as well just drive them there yourself. Don't be such a Dumb Ass!

Too Young for a Baby?

This whole post was spurred on by a comment I was going to leave here:

As a disclaimer: I am not against those who have children; I'm against the pressure on me to have children. I don't intend to offend anyone with my post.

I'm turning 28 pretty soon and am childless and know what you are talking about. I want kids sometime in the future and we're talking about it, about starting to try in about a year and even though I am thrilled at the prospect of being a mom I am also scared out of my wits. I'm too young to be a mom. I feel like a kid myself yet, but I know seeing my age makes some people think "Why are you still waiting?" All of my co-workers are older than I am and all have kids and make me feel bad that I have a social life and buy new purses and and shoes like it's nothing. There are some days I feel completly like SJP's character, Carrie, in Sex in the City , with the exception that I am a little bit more settled (have a husband & a house.)

I have co-workers asking me "When are you having kids? You know you aren't getting any younger." Gee! Thanks for reminding me. I never felt old before this year. It's like the closer I get to 30, please need to remind me of that fact. The good thing is that all my co-workers are older than me and I can remind them that they are still older than me.

But then I get the comment from a co-worker "What's wrong? Are you guys having trouble conceiving?" WTF? The dude that asked me that was someone I had only been working with for a couple of months. I tell him that we are not even trying and are still in the practicing stage and aren't quite ready yet, as we are still young. He then goes on to tell me that all of his adult children (who are younger than me) have babies and that I am not getting any younger and I should think about starting soon.

But you know - things change with a baby. Like right now I would not be able to put the amaretto creme liqour in this morning's coffee (or even drink my occasional cup of coffee while being pregnant.)

Yes, I am getting older and people are reminding me of it. My MIL even gave me a Sweet Potato Queens Book (which is a whole other post, as I am still analyzing why she gave me this book as a present anyways) and it's a constant reminder that YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER! But I am just turning 28! I am not there yet, and I am not 30 either.

I had a conversation just yesterday with a co-worker who is 36 and unmarried and at her last gyno appointment they brought up that she is not getting any younger and does she want to make her birth control permanent. Apparently, there is a new method that does not require surgery in which the fallopian tubes get plugged up and prevent you from getting pregnant. She totally freaked and was like, "Wow! I know I am nearing 40, but permanent birth control. I am not sure I am ready to give up on the idea of being a mom in the future."

Now, next Sunday I am going to a baby shower for a co-worker, who in her mid-30's is having her first child and was just married 9 months ago. I am already prepared for the questions of when I will be with child.

On the positive side of becoming pregnant - I can blame my continued weight gain on the pregnancy rather than own up that I just don't work out enough, have a pretty sedentary job, and enjoy sinful & rich foods.

I see how much kids change the lives of my friends - for good and for bad - and well, I see how they cramp the styles of the childless. I think I just got used to my life the way it is right now and don't want to change anything quite yet. I still have some childless memories to enjoy.

But until then I am sure there will be plenty more personally invasive questions about my child-bearing status, more not-so-subtle hints from the MIL, more constant reminders that I am getting OLD, and more guilt trips that I buy stuff for myself. Luckily though, I think my mom is even less ready to be a grandma, so the pressure is not coming from her. She seems to avoid the conversations about us having children, although I know with my youngest sister's wedding & shower happening this summer I will get plenty of questions from aunts & cousins asking when we are having children and reminding me that I have been married for almost 4 years (although, silently I will be thinking that I chose to plan out my life more, pursue a career and become financially stable first rather than trap a guy, make mistakes, and be forever and continually strapped for cash and have to depend upon my parents to financially support my unplanned or naively planned family.) (Wow! That was a load off.)

So, I am sure I am not too young to have a baby, but I am not too old either and it will happen when we are ready or when God thinks its about time (& if that happens, then we will be ready.)

Links Worth Taking a Look at

I was looking through my bookmarks and was organizing them and thought I had some links that others might be interested in. So, here's what I got:
Loan Calulators
Philadelphia Travel Guide (complete w/ discounts - Yea!)
Generous Travel Adventures (Buy a donated travel package and proceeds go to charity. FYI - package on there for rafting on Peshtigo River through Kosir's Rapid Rafts)
Online Calorie Counter (Also, tracks exercise too!)
Be In A Movie!
List of Businesses that Give you Free Stuff on your Birthday
Amusement Advantage (Secret Shopping @ an Amusement Park, although none currently in MN)
Mystery Shop Providers Association (great place to get started finding companies to secret shop for)
Real.com (downloads w/ Realplayer for 49 cents a song)
Random Url (blog that links you to random things - kinda interesting)

My Name

My name on my blog has been brought up for discussion once again. Here is my blog entry about how I got my name.

Seed Exchange

This Seed Exchange is in the Midwest, but there are plenty of other locations (even other countries). So, just surf around the site. I think this is a neat idea.

Alone in the Dark

Today was day 2 of 2 of my days and in our small community the theater is only open when kids are not in school (nights during week days and mights & matinees on weekends and when school is not in session.) Today was one of those school not in session days and I decided to go see White Noise.

A lot of the kids I work with went and saw when it opened and loved it and said it was freaky. So, I decided to see it today. But apparently other people forgot the theater was open, because I was the only person in that theater. So, here I am (sitting smack in the middle of the theater - makes it seem more like it's all for me then) alone in the dark watching a seriously freaky movie. It was a very good movie and if you like suspense you will like this. What I liked was just when you thought it was going to do one thing, it would do another. It literally and figuratively kept you on the edge of your seat.

Ok - gotta go finish my candy hearts. I bought a bag yesterday and they are almost all gone. Yes, I ate them all. Those things are addicting. I need to have my candy heart fix this time of the year, peeps at easter time, and candy corn at halloween time. Ok - they are gone now and my teeth hurt.

Strawberry Bread Recipe

I got this recipe out of The American Country Inn and Bed & Breakfast Cookbook vol. 2.

Strawberry Bread
Ingredients
1/2 C. butter
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 eggs, separated
1 C crushed strawberries
2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Directions
Spray a 9"x5" pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and almond extract. Beat in egg yolks. Add strawberries and blend well.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into strawberry mixture alternately with the flour mixture. Turn the batter into the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes on a rack. Makes 1 loaf.

No More Burnt Rice

So, several years back it was burnt eggs. Did you ever forget about your eggs boiling in the water only to have them burn and explode all over the place and create a smelly mess? You would think after someone does this once and completly freaks everyone out because they are not sure where the smoke came from and why their is this awful smell of burnt sulfur and they are pretty sure they are going to die from some toxic gas, that they would learn to watch their eggs. But not me! I must have blew up about 5 pans of eggs before Andy politely requested that my brother-in-law who had my name for xmas a few years ago buy me an electric egg cooker.

I absolutly love it. I can make hardboiled eggs and poached eggs and it will stop cooking when it's out of water and no longer are there exploding eggs in my house.

But there have been a few instances of burnt rice, the most recently being last week. It totally sucked and the smell was stuck in my hair and just hung in the air in the house for days. It took several scented candles to remove that smell. I have a microwave rice cooker, but it is always overflowing with water all over in the microwave. It's a pain and I don't like to deal with it. I finally broke down and bought an electric rice cooker. I made rice tonight and it is fan-freaking-tastic. The rice is even sticky like it is when you get Chinese take-out. Yeah. No more burnt rice and no more burnt eggs. I think those are the only things I have trouble burning, so now things should be just fine.

Do you Understand?

So, I was driving around running on errands and I was thinking of words that if you take them apart you can figure out what they mean. So, one of the words I was perplexed by was -- understand.

Here's the defintion of under (basically means beneath, less than, or inferior), and then there is stand (basically means either upright, valid, or motionless), and finally there is understand (basically means to comprehend).

Just thoughts.

Friggin' Freezin'

Ok - I wanna move. I just don't like this cold. If starting over wasn't such a pain in the ass I would move tomorrow. The below zero stuff is supposed to end on Tuesday, but is being followed by freezing rain.

So, Friday night we went to Andy's work holiday party. We opted to not stay at the hotel because of the below freezing temperatures and we did not want to make the dog stay outside in that. Freaking dog ruined everything. Although, we did have a good time. It's great having him work for a big technology retailer, because they can throw nice shindigs andgive away A LOT of stuff. All employees got $10 gift cards, choice of a DVD (on the table) and choice of technology accessory on the table, plus door prizes. Andy's name was one of the first ones chosen, so he got his pick early (which was a KLH speaker system worth about $350 - I think). He was pretty excited about that and set them up. The subwoofer on this set is so much better than our other one.

Saturday we sat inside all day and watched movies on cable. I am not sure I can remember all the movies we watched. Also did some more cooking, made this strawberry bread (kinda tastes like a strawberry angel food bread) and shrimp gumbo, and then spaghetti & a homemade meat sauce.

Today we did manage to get out of the house to run to Papa Murphy's to pick up a pizza. I spent about 2.5 hours rearranging the cupboards in the kitchen, watched some more movies (including "Mean Girls" - which was the DVD I had Andy pic out from the party), and Andy watched the Vikings get their asses handed to them (I just listened to him yelling at the TV - A LOT!)

And now I still have 2 days off of work - one for the holiday (MLK day) and one is a staff development day, but since I am contract I don't really have to go, so I am not.

Week 3 of 8-week plan

In addition to what you are doing for week 1 and week 2, now you need to add:
Another serving of fish
An extra serving of fruits or veggies
soy instead of meat 1x
Vitamin E
Selenium
Up walking to 20 minutes
Add stretching
Read an inspirational book
Make a list of friends you enjoy spending time with
Locate an organic food store
Stop using electric blankets & move alarm clock at least 1 ft. away from head

Freebies

TCBY frozen yogurt

Pacific Chai

Cooking CD-ROM

BOGO Hollywood Video Rental

ACT Mouthwash

Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash

Biz Laundry Detergent

Naughty 

Special Request: Veggie Recipes

Since I just made these I can remember what the recipes are (plus they are pretty simple):

SPINACH BALLS

1 box of frozen spinach (thawed)
1 C parmesan cheese
1 C fine dried bread crumbs
2 eggs
1-2 cloves minced garlic
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients. Form into 1" balls and place in pan. Freeze overnight (or at least 8 hours). Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until brown on both sides. Make sure to turn the balls after about 15 minutes. Serve with a spicy horseradish sauce.

Spicy Horseradish sauce
1 C mayo
1 tsp. horseradish
1/4 tsp. dill weed
5-10 drop of hot sauce

BAKED EGGPLANT

1 eggplant
1-2 large tomatoes
2/3 C shredded mozzerella cheese
olive oil
basil
salt

Slice eggplant in 1/2" slices and sprinkle with salt and let sit for at least 30 minutes (1-2 hours is best). The salt will make the eggplant "sweat" and cut the bitter flavor. After it is does "sweating", squeeze the excess water out of it; you might need to pull the eggplant back into shape. Place eggplant slices on greased baking sheet. Top with 1/4" slices of tomato. Sprinkle with olive oil and basil to taste. Bake @ 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes. The last 2 minutes sprinkle with mozzerella cheese. Serve.

Weekend in Review

Here's the run-down:

Friday -- had some friends over for dinner (it was very yummy - apps: spinach balls {kinda like meatballs, but w/ spinach} & breaded cheee curds, salad, Tiliapia, surprise mashed potatoes {cauliflower made to be like mashed potatoes}, baked eggplant w/ tomato, mozzerella cheese, olive oil, & basil). And then we played some games of pool, had some drinks, and then played some Karaoke Revolution.

Saturday -- stayed home most of the day, but in the evening we ate at Applebee's & went to a movie "Meet the Fockers". It was a pretty funny movie.

Sunday -- obviously nothing except blogging, as I had 8 posts yesterday (did you read them?), and I did make a bunch of food (homemade lemon spongecake, homemade lentil soup, sushi rolls, & soaked and cooked some back beans to make pinto de gallo tonight -- a traditional Costa Rican beans & rice dish.)

And now it is Mondy and I am back at work.

Embassy Suites

Andy's work Holiday Party is this coming Friday at the Embassy Suites in Bloomington.

We decided to get a room this year, as our drive is an hour and we thought we would stay and party, maybe have the party room.

And I plan on taking full advantage of the amenities & services:
* The Manager's Reception (sounds like free apps - Andy hates me saying apps)
* Complimentary Cooked-to-Order Breakfast (includes eggs, pancakes, omelet, etc.)
* Kitchen w/ fridge & microwave (we're bringing booze & snacks - no high bar tabs for us)

Should be a fun time, now I just have to decide what I am going to wear.

Rabid Ragdolls

I was searching the internet for my friend's band, Rabid Ragdolls. If you click on the photo page you can see some pictures of Jeni. Since she lives in Colorado & I in MN, I have never seen her band perform. Apparently their face is all painted -- and well, they look like rabid ragdolls. Jeni is the one with the tatoos (leopard print on her shoulders, flames coming up her chest).

I saw Jeni last a couple of years ago when she was in MN visiting. She's been pretty busy with her band and she also bought the bar, 15th Street Tavern, she had been working at & the band played at it.

I should go visit her for a long weekend, although I don't know if I could keep pace with her. I was never really able to keep pace. I am too much of a "8-hour of sleep a night" type of person.

Week 2 of the 8-Week Plan

So - basically do everything from week 1 and add eating a soy product one time this week and start drinking Green Tea (switching from coffee if you drink coffee, or just start drinking it if you do not), start taking a Mixed Carotenes supplement, increase walking to 15 min., visit a nature place this week, take a 1-day news fast (no listening, reading, or watching the news), and find out where your drinking water comes from.

How does analgesic rub work?

I was wondering this as I was putting it on my L calf today (I think I strained it a little exercising the other day.) So, I had to do a little search to find out and I fugured if I didn't know then some other people might not know either, so here it is:

* works by stimulating sensory receptors of heat and/or cold in the skin. This produces a counterirritant response that overrides the sensation of pain in the deeper structures such as joints and muscles.

Top 20

My name is in the top 20 of girl baby names in 2003. It appears that when I was born (70's) the name was beginning to peak and has held top rankings since.

Andy is #5 on the list of boy baby names. Andrew seems to be a pretty popular name that is consistent over time. His middle name is rated #2 and has been consistently popular.

Good thing I never owned a red car

So - another thing I got from that blog I read. It's on the Dumb Network. Here are some laws in Minnesota.

Apparently there must have been some issues about crossing state lines with birds on your head, as you cannot have a duck or chicken on your head.

And in Mpls you cannot drive down Lake Street in a red car. When we lived in Mpls we were not far from Lake Street and went down it frequently.

And in Virginia, MN you cannot park your elephant on Main Street. Who the hell has their own elephantg?

Here are some laws in Wisconsin.

There are a lot of laws regarding butter substitutes. I guess Wisconsin is really serious about being the dairy state.

In Kenosha no male may be in a state of arousal in public - funny.

There are some in Sheboygan that Steph & Jason(I know you are in a neighboring town, but you might move back) might want to check out:
* Only police officers may shoot birds in the city.
* No person may water his lawn in such a way that anoys their neighbor.
* It is illegal to swim in the Fountain Park fountain. (Did you ever do this?)

It's good to know that in Sun Prairie it's illegal to manufacture nuclear weapons in the city limits.

And in St. Croix, woman can't wear red in public --- hmmmmm.....sounds like a challenge to me!

Finding a New Job

Saw this on this blog I read. I made 35 cents in the time Brittant Spears made $334.20.

What's even more depressing is this:
Me: 35 cents
Brittany: $334.20
Oprah: $1,280.38

I didn't even make what Oprah's change is. Poor Brittany only makes about 25% of what Oprah makes.

A Change in Plans

Our Costa Rica plans changed a bit. We are staying 4 nights at Hotelito Si Si Si on the coast in Tamarindo first and then we are staying at Hotel Aurora Inn in Tilaren for 3 nights (this location is a change) and then the final night at one of the Best Westerns in Liberia.

We changed from the other place in Tilaren, as I was not getting a response back from them and when I called there I spend quite a bit of time trying to explain why I was calling and they just could not understand me. So, we may or may not have a reservation there, but I have not been able to find out if we do since they are not returning my emails (sent 3 of them requesting confirmation of a reservation). So, I found a different place.

New Dress Choices

So - we have not decided on bridesmaid dresses for my sister's wedding yet (on July9th) and we really need to order the dresses in February. They are looking at David's Bridals now and have 3 choices (all basically cost the same.)

I don't think I like this one as the ribbon around the upper hips might make them look bigger and the last thing I want to do is look fat. I won't wear a dress that makes me look fat.

This one of the 3 choices is my fave. The dresses will be in lilac.

This would be my 2nd choice. I kindof like the tea length. And I might be able to wear this one again since it is tea length, so maybe this one would be better.

What do my blog readers think?

Need I Say More 

A Carrot Tan

My friend Kate has been drinking carrot juice, as something healthy to consume. She noticed (after a couple weeks), as well as others did too, that she looked somewhat tanner (& when you live in MN in the winter I am sure any amount of color is noticable.)

Drinking carrot juice has tremendous health benefits and it's pretty decent. Although, if someone is not used to eating carrots, don't like them, or doesn't eat that many "healthy" foods, then they probably won't like carrot juice, or it could take a while to get used to it. I, for one, like it.

So, anyways - I was interested in this whole turning "orange tan" and found some stuff online about it. The most interesting was this woman who conducted her own 1 month experiment and took pictures each week. Very interesting. There is a noticable difference, but not too noticable. Actually - the whole website is pretty interesting. The experiment was completed about 4 years ago.

Hmmmm.....

Brittany in the News

She's Back. She's Leaving. She Should Leave. She's Gone.

A Hat for Larry

Check These Out!

I think I like the leopard one best. The Anne's Housekeeper is cute too. They all are.

Crest Whitestrips? Colgate Simply White?

Anyone ever try the Whitestrips? Did they work? They are kind of pricey (if they don't work very well), but certainly cheaper than what the dentist will do. Anyone know of any harm these may cause to your teeth?

What about Colgate Simply White? Anyone use that one? Which is better?

2 More Months Until Sopranos

Their next season will start airing on March 7th with 13 new episodes. I am so psyched. Yeah!

8 Weeks to Optimum Health

I am in the process of reading 8 Weeks to Optimum Health by Dr. Andrew Weil. A lot of the stuff I already do, but some of it I do not do as frequent as he recommends. So, I thought weekly I would post his recommendations (for the 8 weeks) in case someone wants to follow along or are curious. Although, I suggest buying the book. It is very good and very informative.

So, for week one these are the recommendations and what I will try to do:
Diet: Broccoli 2x, Salmon 1x
Supplements: Vit. C (1000-2000 mg)
Exercise: 10 min. walk (5x/wk.)
Mental/Spiritual: list of illness/injuries recovered from past 2 years, Breath Observation (5min/day), Buy Flowers
Project: Throw out oils, artificial sweetners, artif. Colored, Buy olive oil, canola oil & seasame oil

In case someone is going to do this as well, I will list all the supplements needed, as if you are buying them it is easier to buy them at all once than order them separately:
Vitamin C
Mixed Carotenes
Vitamin E
Selenium

The back of the book has different recommendation for specific populations (over 50, over 70, under 20, men, women, pregnant or considering pregnancy in the future, parents of young children, living in big cities, travel often, overweight, cardiovascular disease risk, & cancer risk). So, you really need to read the book to find out what you need if you are one of those. My specific populations include women & considering pregnancy, so these are the supplements I need to add to the above:
Calcium
Magnesium
Folic Acid
Floride (possibly, need to talk to my dentist, as we only drink bottled water)

I already take an E, Folic Acid, & a Multi.

I'm Sooooo Glad It's Not 1955

The Good Wife's Guide from Housekeeping Monthly.

They have go to be kidding. This is hilarious. I don't think I would have faired very well in 1955. Plus, who the hell subscribed to Housekeeping Monthly anyways?

I like this one a little better, it's The Contemporary Guide for Stay at Home Dads.

Funny stuff.

Winter Sports

Yesterday we had freezing rain (in both morning & night) and NO SUN, plus it was as cold as a witch's tit. We have about a half-inch of ice on the driveway and its pretty much glare ice. The sun is out today and it has melted the ice off our East facing windows; they had solid ice on them and were like privacy windows where no one could see in or out but the sunlight could come in. I went outside to see if the garage down was iced shut -- it was. I salted the hell out of the ice in front of it, waited a little bit and then started chipping away at it. And woohoo! It finally came loose.

I looked around and realized that my asphalt driveway that was iced over was a perfect skating rink, so back in the house to put on some snow pants. Found my ice skates (these only make it out once or twice a year) and stared skating around. I knew I might not getting skating otherwise, as Andy doesn't like to do any type of skating too much (bad inline skating accident.)

It was a lot of fun; I didn't have to watch for little kids skating around me; I could go at my own speed; there was no one there to skate slow in front of me; and I set up a chair so I could rest when I wanted to. I am not that great of a skater, but I can stay up and get around. I wish I knew how to skate better. After the fact, I found this website on how to skate.

I let the dog chase me around, but she's dumb and she was going to trip me up so I had to play fetch with her as I skated in circles. We have a pretty long driveway that has a cul-de-sac at the end, so it really is an ideal place to skate. In the summer I sometimes get out the inline skates and have my fun.

So, I fell better knowing I have ice skated at least once this winter. I still want to go cross-country skiing. I think I will check the state parks in our area to see if any rent cross country skis. Most have trails, so that's not an issue. I just don't own any skis. It might be fun to do some downhill skiing too, but I doubt Andy wants to do that and it can be pretty expensive and takes up a whole day. Although if I want to save some money, I could buy a certificate from Flato (certificates in WI, MN, IL & FL for half price). And I still want to go sledding too. I used to do a lot more winter sports when I babysat, as kids are pretty eager to do them, adults get a little apathetic about winter sports. Maybe I'll have to find a friend with kids that is going sledding and tag along.

Keep warm.

Excuses Not to go into Work Today

Funny. My faves are:

My wife makes more money than I do, so I have to stay home with our sick son.

When I got up this morning I took two Ex-Lax in addition to my Prozac. I can't get off the john, but I feel good about it.

Cosmopolitan Recipe

Anyone who has watched "Sex In the City" has to have wanted to try a cosmopolitan. I first had one a few months ago and if that in itself didn't just knock me on my ass. Holy shit! Tasty, but powerful and EXPENSIVE!

I had another one in the Cities and wow - even more expensive (although it didn't taste much different).

And then on Monday night I was hanging out with Jessi and she was house-sitting for some friends of hers and they have nothing but the best in the liqour cabinet for them. So, we helped ourselves and made a couple of cosmopolitans, using Cointreau. Here is the recipe they have:
1 oz. Cointreau®
2 oz. vodka
Juice of 1/2 lime
Splash of cranberry juice
So - 3 shots. I went to buy this stuff last night and the price of it about knocked me on the floor. I like to have nice drinks, but I am not sure I really want to spend about $40 for a bottle.

So, I asked for a substitute and they suggested Triple Sec (@ $10/bottle). Of course there is nothing in between those prices. So, I bought it along with my cranberry juice and sweetened lime juice. I decided I would like to try it with Absolut Vanilla instead of regular 'ole vodka. And I made it by the recipe I made the other night and then decided to look up a recipe for it online and here is what I found:
1 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Rose's Lime Juice
1/2 oz Cranberry Juice
Basically here it is just 1.5 shots and a lot of juice. I haven't tried it that way, but I do like the Absolut Vanilla in there.

Also, last night Kate & I went out to the Muni (our city-owned municipal bar and only bar in our little town) to have a few drinks and Absolut was $2. Yup! That's it, just $2 for Absolut with anytype of mix-in. At the Muni they use the Skyy Cosmopolitan mix. It's pretty tasty, although very sweet and more like a drink than a martini. For anyone that does not like martinis, they should get the mix. The ones made with the mix don't kick your ass like the real thing, but why should they - they probably only have 1-1.5 shots in them.

I just got a martini set (2 glasses, a tray, a martini pitcher & stirrer), so I will be trying some new recipes. Anyone have a favorite martini recipe they suggest?

In My Pajamas

So, it's now after noon and I am sitting at home in my pajamas. It's great to have the week off from work. Yesterday afternoon, I went to the Cities and did some shopping. I didn't care much for all the traffic. The mall was packed -- apparently every high school student is at the mall since there is no school. The lines at JC Penney were forever long as well, mainly with returns.

I didn't stay at the mall too long. I went to check out bras at Victoria's, and it's interesting that the bras in the store around around $35-$40 a piece.

Then I went to Linens'n'Things to use the gift card we got this summer as a wedding gift (almost 3 years late, but I guess better late than never). I bought us a feather bed and 2 new feather pillows. We put the feather bed on the bed last night and it is so nice. Andy says it is like sleeping in a nest because it just surrounds you. It does keep you nice & warm; I like it.

After I went to Valley Natural Foods and did some grocery shopping. I liked the pace there much more. It was slower. I also liked that they had a lot of stuff to sample. Yummy.

And today, well, I will probably get out of my pajamas before Andy comes home from work and I did the dishes, but I can't promise much more than that will be accomplished.

Warped

Funny stuff.

These are pretty hard. I figured out a few before I saw the real face.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

Your Dominant Intelligence is Interpersonal Intelligence

You shine in your ability to realate to and understand others.Good at seeing others' points of view, you get how people think and feel.You have an uncanny ability to sense true feelings, intentions, and motivations.A natural born leader, you are great at teaching and mediating conflict.You would make a good counselor, salesperson, politician, or business person.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

No shit sherlock! Guess I went into the right line of work.

Breasts & Bras

Timber! They are continuing to droop......bah! I'm under 30 and I don't have perky little breasts, although I have NEVER had perky "little" breasts. My bra size is 36D and has been for as long as I can remember, and there isn't that much perky involved in a D-cup. With a D-cup you need as much support to hold those babies up as possible.

Andy told me the other day that I don't really show them off that much and I thought about that and tried to look through my clothes and find something low-cut, but in MN I am inclined to have the neckline go up. The next issue is that even if I had some nice low-cut tops I don't really have the bras to work with them. I buy pretty bras from Victoria's Secret, but I typically buy full coverage because there is nothing worse then feeling like you could just pop out of your (demi) bra. I have one bra that is a push-up one from Victoria's Secret. It's black, lacey, has enough coverage, and frankly - my breasts look awesome in that bra. It’s the Stretch Lace Classic Miracle Bra. Even though I already have a D-cup, some might wonder why the pushup. The pushup provides more support - there is more fabric and structure surrounding your breasts.

When you get to be a D-cup (and it might happen at a C-cup, but I can't imagine a B or A-cup having these same issues) you no longer can buy cute little wireless numbers. The wire in those bra cups helps provide much needed support, as well as prevents your breasts from heading further south as the bra travels north, leaving you with nothing other than bunches of fabric resting on tops of your breasts. If you don't have underwire, you MUST have a lot of elastic holding those babies in. After years of sports bras that start to sag quickly and just never hold your breasts in tight enough as you run (& cause your breasts to ache from bouncing too much and your hands to gravitate towards your breasts in order to hold them up and keep them from bouncing), I have finally (last year) found a bra that does the job. It is the Champion Jogbra Action-Shape Sports Bra.

The great thing about this bra is that there are 3 sets of 3 eye-hook closures, so there is no pulling it over your head and stretching it out, plus you make it the size you need around your ribcage, plus you can change the straps in length (pretty strong Velcro for this), and notice that the size only come in C, D or DD. This is a bra for larger breasts. I have 2 of these bras (in the periwinkle, actually) and I have had them for over a year. I used to use up a sports bra in about 6 months (and that is stretching it - literally.)

Ok - so back to the topic of support. I went shopping at Vanity yesterday and was trying to find a top to go with a skirt to wear to Andy's work holiday party. I though the look of layering different camisoles was very sexy looking and was going to buy something along that lines. But as I tried stuff on I realized that 1) Things lay differently on a human body - more specifically, each human body - than they do on the mannequin, so some things just don't look as nice once you get them onto a real-life curvy body and 2) You need perky little breasts to really pull off the look or you NEED to wear a bra. So, the cute little tops I bought that are sheer in the back are just not going to work for me, as I need to wear a bra and I just can't get into having the back of my bra be visible (that was one thing that Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie would wear in Sex in the City that I just didn't like.)

I bought several different tops and am still not sure which one (or more likely - ones) that I will wear. I also ordered a couple of bras from Fredrick's of Hollywood and just received an email confirmation that they have shipped. Both are push-up bras. I have never bought a bra from them before and thought I would try them out - anyone buy their bras before? They are a little cheaper than Victoria's Secret. So, I guess we'll see. And maybe if they workout nice I'll buy one of their cute little outfits from them - maybe a nurse outfit. :)

Both Frederick’s & Victoria’s are having bra & panty sales, so it’s a good time to replace those old bras.

So, what I want is some kind of very supportive push-up shelf bra. I see those things that you are supposed just stick to your breasts and it holds them up. I bought some papery/disposable ones once they just sucked! My breasts were too large and the papery thing held up on the bottom, but I spilled over on the top. And I see they have ones that are made out of a silicone of some sort, although I have never tried those. Andy tells me he likes me best WITHOUT any bra at all (and without any top at all), but for most of my life I will be wearing a top (unless of course we decide to move to a nudist colony) and I want to a complimentary, sexy, supportive bra and I don't want to spend a small fortune on it either. So, we'll see how these new bras work and I'll let you know.

Costa Rica Links

I've been doing some looking around and thought I would post some helpful links:

Photo Website to a couple that recently went there:
http://www.oboylephoto.com/costa_rica/

Forum about Costa Rica:
http://www.photo.net/bboard/forum?topic_id=25

Website of someone living in Costa Rica:
http://www.puravida.com/

Info about Costa Rica (incluing info about moving there): http://www.costarica.net/features/relocate.htm

UPDATED!!!! I had a wrong link in here and now they are hyperlinked.

Comedian or not?

Take the quiz. Guess I could be a comedian, although I don't think that is path that is right for me. It's fine for some, I'll just support them by paying the cover charge to see their acts.

I was looking up this guy, as someone (Jeff Gerbino) from their comedy gallery is coming to our area at the end of January and I thought it might be interesting.

Larry Loves Wrapping Paper 

2004 Christmas Tree 

50 Top Foods to Eat B4 You Die

1. Fresh fish DONE
2. Lobster DONE
3. Steak DONE
4. Thai food
5. Chinese food DONE
6. Ice cream DONE
7. Pizza DONE
8. Crab DONE
9. Curry DONE
10. Prawns
11. Moreton Bay Bugs
12. Clam chowder DONE
13. Barbecues DONE
14. Pancakes DONE
15. Pasta DONE
16. Mussels DONE
17. Cheesecake DONE
18. Lamb DONE
19. Cream tea DONE
20. Alligator DONE
21. Oysters DONE
22. Kangaroo
23. Chocolate DONE
24. Sandwiches DONE
25. Greek food DONE
26. Burgers DONE
27. Mexican food DONE
28. Squid DONE
29. American diner breakfast DONE
30. Salmon DONE
31. Venison DONE
32. Guinea pig
33. Shark
34. Sushi DONE
35. Paella DONE
36. Barramundi
37. Reindeer
38. Kebab DONE
39. Scallops DONE
40. Australian meat pie
41. Mango DONE
42. Durian fruit
43. Octopus DONE
44. Ribs DONE
45. Roast beef DONE
46. Tapas
47. Jerk chicken/pork DONE
48. Haggis
49. Caviar DONE
50. Cornish pasty

So, it loosk like I still have some eating to do.

Megan & Happy 

All the Stockings were Hung by the Chimney with Care

Andy & I opened a couple gifts early (we are opening the rest this afternoon). He got me Karaoke Revolution Volume 3 with a headset. Man - that has been fun. I sang my little heart out Tuesday night until Andy told me I had to come to bed at nearly 11:30. Then after work yesterday I came home I had to sing some more. I think I need to hold off for at least today, as my throat is a little hoarse. But I have to say that I do pretty well. I think I want to get the other 2 volumes & another headset so that I can whip this out at a party. Singing can be so much fun.

This afternoon we open the rest of our presents to each other before we head out to the in-laws for Christmas. So, tonight the festivities are at their place. Today at work/school (where I am now), we are watching National Lampoon's Xmas Vacation and having snack (for each of our periods - we have a 4-period day). I don't think I will need to watch that movie again for another year.

Tomorrow, we have to get up early to drive the 5.5 hours to my family. Good thing my youngest sister called the other day to ask about presents for my mom, as the xmas schedule was changed and we didn't know. Originally, we were planning on being there between 5-6pm for festivities in the evening, but we recently decided to be there at 2pm so we are there for kick-off (Packer/Viking Game). Although, I hear everyone else will be there earlier and be celebrating (& almost done by the time we get there). But with almost a 6 hour drive we aren't going to get up any earlier after a late night. We're not exactly thrilled about driving in below zero weather, but I guess that is what Christmas in the Midwest is about.

But I guess I haven't much to complain about, as a friend of mine who is one of 11 found out that all her sibs are getting together on Christmas and didn't even invite 2 of them (she being one of them). When she talked to one of her sister's about this her sister invited her to come over @ 4pm (turns out the festivities start at noon.) Bah Humbug!

And there is no school next week - woohoo! More time for me to stay home and sing.

20/20

Yesterday, I had my one week follow-up on my eyes. Both eyes are seeing 20/20 and are healing very well. My eyes feel very good to me and My vision is very clear. I even notice that my night vision is getting better too. I am glad I did the surgery, even if I was a wimp that night of the surgery. We'll see if I am the same way after I have kids, although I am sure after the pain of childbirth goes away the kids will still challenge my sanity.

Ripley's Games

Go to their main website and then click on either dial-up or broadband, depending upon which you have. Then click on games. I am having fun with them. They are challenging. I can't get the IQ one, I got down to 2 balls, but that is not good enough, Bah!

Top 100 Toys

These are the ones that I had: 1 (yes, with the banana seat), 8 (Yes, I am still mad at Al for throwing them all over my room & killing them), 13 (not sure that I had this, but I played with Steph's), 23 (I think this was Steph's, maybe Al's - but we had one & I got to play with it), 47 (actually got this as an adult), 62 (this was so much fun - remember playing this Steph), 69 (Ironic that Twister is # 69, but got this as an adult too), 71 (this was a gift from Santa to the whole family), 75 (had some Strawberry Shortcake stuff, but never enough for the whole village, so I had to settle with just smelling her hair), 79 (so much fun, I wonder if they ever made porn slides foe adults), 80 (I believe it was Steph who had this one too), 86 (another one bought as adult), 87 (another one I think we got from Santa for the family), 93 (not sure who had this in our family, I think it was Al). And that's it. I don't think Miranda had any of these, although I think the ones I actually had I bought myself as a kid or an adult.

New Words to a Timeless Classic

Check out the "12 Days of Christmas - Teenager Style". It's on a blog I like to read. Just click on the title above.

Almost Christmas

Friday started out with the 5:05 Club (the Happy Hour Club that meets once a month for the company I work for). I like to go to these because I am only at the clinic a couple times a month since I am based out of the school -- plus I like to have drinks. This month it was at this guy's house who is married to a Doctor, so of course they have a beautiful new house with beautiful furniture. It was a wine tasting theme and they had enough crystal wine glasses for all of us (which was almost 20.) That's gonna be a hard act to follow (& it's at my house in January.)

Andy went to a Timberwolves game with his friend Raoul and ended up drinking way too much and having to get a hotel room for the 2 of them rather than trying to make the hour trek back home (which may have resulted in him dying or getting a DWI.) So, needless to say the next day when we went out to Buca's with some friends, he was not very interested in having any wine with our abundance of Italian food.

After Buca's, I went with our friends to see "Flight of the Phoenix". That was a pretty intense movie. I recommend it.

Today, it was colder than a witch's tit, but I decided to go out anyways. I wanted to go to JC Penney to use this $10 coupon they sent and of course I found something for myself and would only end up paying $5 after the coupon, but then I spotted something else for Andy and bought it. I HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM STORES WHEN I AM DONE WITH MY XMAS SHOPPING. If I go shopping, I always end up buying more than I wanted to. It happens when I go grocery shopping too. I went to the grocery store today also to pick up 3 things, but walked out with my 3 items plus a canteloupe, a pineapple, cream of mushroom soup & some eggnog.

BTW - then I was out the bank thermometer said it was 2 degrees out. Where the hell is the damn snow if it is going to be this cold.

Funny Comic  

Buying Bridesmaid Dresses Online?

Anyone out there have any experience buying bridesmaid dresses from an online company as a opposed to a brick and mortar bridal shop?

My youngest sister is getting married this summer and we found some dresses at a bridal shop and also found some online. The thing is -- the ones online are much cheaper, and who wants to spend a lot of money on something you will only wear once and will have beer stains on it by the end of the night anyways.

These look like the 3 dresses (online) that we are narrowed it down to:
http://store.yahoo.com/modernbridalshop/mlbriddreswi1.html
http://www.shopshop.com/1116.htm
http://www.cybernetplaza.com/page.asp?style=1007 (probably w/o the flower)

So - a few questions:
1) Which dress would you choose?
2) Have you had any experience buying bridesmaid dresses online?
3) If so, what were the dresses like? Were they nice or did they feel like they would call apart? Was the sizing accurate?
4) Do you have any expeience with any of the places we are looking at?
5) Any ideas where we can find if these places are reputable and others' experiences?

Thanks!

Follow-up

I wanted to reply to the comments, but for some reason the school identifies that as a "Chat Room".

I had my one-day follow-up yesterday a little while after my post and when my doctor examined my eyes she said they are healing nicely and couldn't even see the flap edges on my R eye until she turned her magnifying power to finally see it.

But my eyesight in my L eye is 20/20 right now and the R eye is 20/30. I guess usually the eyesight is more around the 20/30 or 20/40 the first day. So, they said I am doing really well.

My eyes have not been drying out (which I guess happens often). I am seeing great. I love waking up and seeing EVERYTHING.

The weird thing is not doing through my nightly rituals - you know - taking out the contacts, putting the glasses on to read and then taking them off again.

But I am very glad that I had it done. I only had pain that first day and none since then. So, I am VERY GLAD that I had it done.

Boozing Rules

There are 86 of them. Here are some of my faves:

If you offer to buy a woman a drink and she accepts, she still might not like you.

Drink one girly drink in public and you will forever be known as the guy who drinks girly drinks.

After your sixth drink, do not look at yourself in the mirror. It will shake your confidence.

If you bring Old Milwaukee to a party, you must drink at least two cans before you start drinking the imported beer in the fridge.


For every drink, there is a five percent better chance you will get in a fight. There is also a three percent better chance you will lose the fight.

I'm Not Going to Lie

I had my Lasik done yesterday and I'm not going to lie -- some things hurt. They informed me of some of the things people find uncomfortable so they don't scare me. The drops sting a tiny but, but it wasn't a big deal. The thing I really didn't like was the pressure thing. The right eye (1st one) was uncomfotable, but the left one just downright hurt. I almost thought my eye was going to be sucked out. The actual cutting and laser on my eye didn't hurt at all. When it was all done I could see - but not very clearly and felt kinda crappy. The most painful part (by far) was after. It was sunny out and even with eye patches and dark sunglasses the light was just too bright.

And you know how your eyes water (tears really) when light is too bright, well, that is what happened. And tears are basically salty water, so nothing like putting salt in your wounds. Shit! That burned, stung, hurt, you name it. And they just would not stop watering. When we got home I could not fall asleep (even with having taken the Valium) and even though I was in a dark room (except for the tv on - which I was not looking at, just listening too) my eyes kept watering. Eventually they stopped watering so much and returned calls to a couple friends that left messages to check on me, and then went to bed @ 9pm (should have really gone to bed earlier) and woke up at 7am.

It was so nice to be able to see the alarm clock. I went to work (am here now) and had to turn on only 1 sets of lights in the classroom as both sets are too bright. Have had a slight headache all day, but nothing major. I put in my drops and take my Aleve and all seems well. In about 20 minutes I have my 1 days follow-up Appt. to go to.

I told Andy I am not sure we should have children as I am too much of a wimp to go through the child birth - considering my whole time in the surgery room was 15 minutes and I was bitching about the tears in my eyes. I am not sure I can handle hours of pain paired with being cut and all the other stuff that goes along with having a baby.

I had also considered getting braces and had a consultation on that once and they told me they would have to remove a tooth or 2 to make room for the teeth to move. I am re-thinking that now. I gotta imagine removing a tooth is much more painful (although I have had all 4 wisdom teeth removed) than Lasik. To be honest, I think I have just turned into a wimp. Maybe I should look into vaneers. I don't know anything more about them - just what I see when I have watched "The Swan". But I want pretty teeth - I just don't want to have any taken away from me. I just don't like pain - plain & simple.

Pesky Zipper

So, I am searching the internet to find ways to work with my zipper on my nice big winter coat. I didn't exactly know what to look for and ended up finding some other interesting & helpful links in the process.

Earth Safe Household Tricks:
http://opossumsal.homestead.com/esht.html

Not sure if this is what I need: http://www.tipking.com/tip/4686.html

Not what I was looking for, but could be helpful to someone else: http://www.tutorials.com/04/0462/0462.asp?ugid=dHV0b3JpYWxz&cl=1857&se=7984


I think this is what I need to do :http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?rnav=info&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=644529&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10135

See, when I zip up my coat, some of the teeth are not grabbing together and then the zipper splits apart, and that is the last thing you want to happen when it is freaking cold out. Anyone have any hints or tips of their own to try?

Movin' On Up

One of the people I work with in the classroom is a coach for wrestling and said that they are ranked #9 nationally this year (so far this season).

Check out the NHSCA rankings in the link. These are the national rankings from 2003 and Owatonna was listed #19.

Too Much Time on His Hands

Check these out:

http://www.ericharshbarger.org/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?clock_5.jpg+lego/images/clock

http://www.ericharshbarger.org/lego/nativity.html

They are pretty neat though.

Create Your Own Religion

It's basically Mad Libs -- here is mine:

From the most happy regions of the spiritual plane, I have channeled the disembodied spirit of Grandma Hessil, bringing to you the wisdom and bamboo of the lost city of Philadelphia. To usher in the New Age of smiles you must heed my words and write lovely. The time is soon when the space cars of our galactic cousins will return and our collective redness will reach critical mass. The highest frequencies of the universe will spiral through the toe chakras of the worthy, and our 3rd navel shall be opened. But first we must look deep inside and accept our inner peace. We must feel the inner peace, become the inner peace, shake it as though it was a black-eyed peas. We must accept our karmic past, and, as our yogi master, Samantha, always says 'The true form of a music is actually a green color , but enlightenment is like a peaceful river on the wind'. For there is no right or wrong, no wind or anti-wind, only one great and omnipresent water.

A Weekend of Eating Out

Started out Friday afternoon with my work Xmas Party. I was on the committee, but most everything has to be the same year after year per the boss, but we get to pick out the food, buy the gift certificates, set things up & take them down, and plan out the game (I was really trying to have NO games, but the boss-man said we had to have one.) It was during the workday (3-5)so no alcohol. I really work in the school (my office is there) but am there on contract, so my employer is really an outside agency. So, the drinks came after. Then more drinks after that - Andy & my friend Kate & I went to the Muni (our little town's municipal bar) and had drinks & a pizza. Then we went to her house & watched "Dodgeball" - that movie is just so funny.

Yesterday I went & tried out for a part in the Community Theater (tryouts were yesterday & today). They actually had me read for 3 parts in "The Diary of Anne Frank", so we'll see how everything goes. I should hear if I get a part in the next couple of days. Then went grocery shopping, then out to eat at this place called Lord Essex's Tavern, then shopping at the mall, and then home and did some yoga.

Today I did my walking & jogging workout then we met some friends @ Benihana's. Damn that food is so good. I had the Seafood Diablo. Very yummy and there is leftovers for tomorrow's lunch. We go there once a year with a couple of my friends from grad school. While in grad school we would go after every semester to celebrate that we finished another semester, but now that we own houses and are starting families, it's just too expensive to be going there that often, plus we have homes that we like to host dinner parties in.

I guess that's it. Just a lot of eating & drinking.

Interesting Balloon Video

Follow the link.

Surveys about Religion

Here's one that is just basically a poll and after you fill in your answers you can see how you compare to others:
http://www.survey.net/sv-rlg.htm

Here's a survey being conducted by a school that is doing a study - what a nice way to help them out by getting more people to answer their questions on religion & music.
http://students.haverford.edu/evanders/survey1.html

This is closer to what I was looking for:
http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=27
My score on this one was:
50 - 59
Spiritual Straddler – One foot in traditional religion, one foot in free-form spirituality. They have a bunch of other quizzes here too: http://www.beliefnet.com/features/quiz/

My Vatsu: http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=99
I am a Kapha.

Britney Spears & her Cellulite 

Cellulite *I Mean Charlotte* Church 

Woohoo! 

Froggy Penis?

So - I saw this link from another site. They posted it 'cuz it's a ring tone you can download for your cell phone. But what the hell kind of crazy-ass frog is that? And is that a little froggy penis there?

Learn to Swear in Every Language

So, in case I ever move to Costa Rica - I can learn how to swear in Costa Rican (which they speak Spanish, but we all know that each Spanish speaking country has their own words for many different things.)

White Trash Christmas

Funny Stuff. Can take a little while to load.

Phew.....

Xmas letter is written. Cards filled out. Envelopes addressed and mostly stamped. It always seems I have more cards to send than stamps. Oh well, I got some sent out and will have to get to the PO to get more (another thing to procrastinate.)

Virtual Drumset

Something to pass the time. Is amusing.

What Social Status Are You?

I have scored the result of Upper Middle Class. No big surprise there.

You scored as Upper middle Class. Your determination have soared you this high, yet not high enough to enjoy the luxuries of the upper class. Your most valued posession is your country club membership which is kept framed in the office. Upper middle Class 79% Luxurious Upper Class 67% Middle Class 58% Lower Class 42% alternative 21% What Social Status are you? created with QuizFarm.com

I'm Tired.

Wow! I have accomplished A LOT this weekend and I am tired, but no rest for the weary yet because I still need to make supper and workout on the treadmill.

Friday after work I came home and took a nap until Andy was home from work. Then we went out to eat at Pizza Hut. I can't even remember the last time we went out to eat for pizza. It's not we get it delivered either because our town is small and the nearest town doesn't have places that will deliver to us. Usually we just pick up something from Papa Murphy's and bake it at home or make a good 'ole frozen pizza if we are in the mood for a pizza. After the pizza we went to the movies and saw "The Incredibles". I heard good reviews of it and whenever that happens the movie never lives up to my expectations. My biggest complaint about the movie is that they make it look like you can bounce back from getting old and fat easily & quickly enough and still save the day. There is going to be a whole generation of kids that think they can get all chubby as they get older and do a few sit-ups and you are back to your high school weight. Bah.

Saturday I got up early and went with some friends to this "Mini-Spa Day" at the YMCA. It started out with Yoga (which was a let down because it was an aerobics yoga - basically aerobics using yoga poses. It was not at all like anything I had ever done and I have been doing yoga for several years. A couple of the people that we went with had never done yoga and we had to convince them that was not yoga.) After the yoga was some Qi Gong, which was nice and relaxed and enjoyable. Next was a smoothie break (Caribbean Blend was the flavor - these were yummy.) After that an Aveda spa was there giving chair massages and hand massages (you got to pick one) and then you could go use the pool area (sauna, pool, whirlpool). So, I got a chair massage (they were short, but nice) and then went into the whirlpool & pool. After that was a light lunch of wraps, veggies & dip, apples, & bottled water. It was a nice lunch. Finally there was a little workshop/class on becoming stress-free for the holidays. I couldn't get into it because the same person doing this was the aerobics instructor who did the crazy-ass paced yoga. She spoke so quickly that it just made your brain spin, and when she did her guided imagery she slowed down a little bit - but was pacing around the room rather quickly and you could here this and it was pissing me off. Anyways - her 1 hour class was finished in about 40 minutes - cutting off 1/3 of the time.

That night Andy & I went to this coffee shop called Javalive in a nearby town. It's a neat place. It's pretty big and they have a large assortment of mismatched couches, occasional chairs, coffee tables & end tables, and dining tables & chairs by the stage. The entertainment Saturday night was the local brass quartet. They were performing their Xmas concert. It was nice (& I had a HUGE hot cocoa while I listened & read my magazine.)

I was up by 8AM today (which is early when I don't HAVE to get up for anything). I spent the day making shortbread cookies, gingerbread men, & fudge. I also made a crap load of homemade gifts for friends & my volleyball team. I figure I spent about 6 hours making gifts and now I am exhausted.

Just Call Me Ellen!

Ellen Who? Why - Ellen DeGeneres. Not because I am not a lesbian or a talk-show host or even consider myself all that funny. But have you seen the commercials where she "dances to the beat of a different drum" -- you know those ads that she is dancing around and the music keeps changing and you really think that maybe it is an ad for an iPod, but it turns out it is American Express, and then you think what the hell does Ellen dancing around have to do with American Express.

So, you are wondering why I am asking you to call me Ellen - well, it is because I am a dancing fool. Andy & I just finished about 32 minutes of DDR2 and I basically sucked at it. (DDR2 is Dance Dance Revolution 2, it's a game/workout game using a pad you step on that is through the PS2.) I didn't trip of anything; I'm just not very good at hitting the arrows (steps) when I am supposed to. I think I just dance to the beat of a different drum (hence, Ellen.) Andy was a dancing pro. It is amazing how well he does on it. I think the years of marching band really paid off for him.

My time served having to march in band was served in the middle of the row so that I was not really seen. I didn't care much for keeping in step; I cared more about not stepping in the horse shit from the float that was before us. I wasn't exactly all that talented in my musical instrument playing either. I was in band because my friends were, I enjoyed pep band, and frankly just enjoyed music, as well as being a kid liked the positive attention I got from my grandfather who played the same instrument. Remember those days when you were young and tried hard to impress your parents & grandparents, but then we grew into the teenagers that tried hard to pretend we didn't want to impress them anymore and just wanted them to leave us alone, and then into the college students who were so far away and didn't want to be alone, and then into the adults that turned out (even though we swore as teenagers) to be just like those parents.

I am not sure that I feel confident in saying that I did anything in high school because I was "talented" in it. I did things either because I found them fun or I wanted to be social or a combination of the two. Any talents I had or had developed kind of fell second to being social. I was pretty involved in high school. It was a small high school and it was hard not to be in many different things and for me, it was hard not to be involved in everything because it all presented an opportunity to be social (band, cheerleading, FHA, volleyball, Speech, EVERYTHING!).

Back to the out of step thing. I got to say that I hate when people REALLY want you to do some line dancing at a wedding or whatever. My body just wants to move when & where it wants and it doesn't always exactly coincide with the rest of the coordinated dancers. I love to dance, but I could never be one of those back-up dancers, well, maybe for Rod Stewart. His backup dancers just move from side to side. Their dancing ability is not exactly what is on show, it the long perfect legs, long blond hair, and large hooters. So, maybe I can't be a backup dancer for him as well. I guess it is jus as well that I went into a profession where I sit on my ass listening to people.

Now, back to Ellen. I found this quote of hers, "Friends will write me letters. They run out of room on the front of the letter. They write 'over' on the bottom of the letter. Like I'm that much of a moron. Like I need that there. Because if it wasn't there, I'd get to the bottom of the page: 'And so Kathy and I went shopping and we--' That's the craziest thing! I don't know why she would just end it that way." I think it is funny, because I remember as a teenager writing my friends (probably even as a college student) and putting over with the little arrow at the bottom of the letter. Was I passively trying to insult their intelligence? You know, I am really not so sure that I don't still do that today, although with the blessing (usually!) of the internet I very rarely have to whip out the 'ole quill and ink.

Crank up the tunes!

Condom Size

The average penis size:

"The study found the average erect penis size was 14.7 cm (5-3/4 inches), with 40 percent of participants reporting lengths between 12 and 15 cm (4-3/4 and 5-7/8 inches)."

Now - the average condom size:

"When compared with the condoms normally used by the participants, the results showed only 18 percent wore the right size, with nearly half squeezing into condoms that were too small and 34 percent trying to use those that were too big. "

So - from the sounds of it, too many guys were buying "Magnum" when then needed regualr, or even worse, they were buying regular when they needed something smaller. Yikes!

Hope for Molly

I am not sure if she could actually do this. As I type this she is on the floor rolling on her ball. For some reason she enjoys rolling all over her toys.

Gift Idea for Andy