HeY! NoN-SuPeRBoWL FaNS!

Anyone out there NOT doing a SuperBowl party or gathering?

Anyone boycotting?

I am SO not a fan of televised sports, but especially not hockey or football.

I used to watch the SuperBowl for the commercials, but now I can see them online, so what's the point?

I think I might go to the movies with DD.

Any suggestions?

Now, mind you, if any of you invited me to a kick-ass SuperBowl party, I would be there with fan gear on and everything and with all my festive whooping and hollering, you probably would never know that I despise it.


I'm just sayin'.... you know, in case your invite is in the mail.

PS. I would probably wear a football jersey, in case you were worried.

25 RaNdoM ThiNGs aBoUt mE

This is going around Facebook, and I know some of you are over there, so you guys can skip this.

But for those of you who are the Facebook holdouts and haven't drunk the Kool-Aid yet, I bring this randomness to you here. (as if you haven't been bored enough by randomness about me!)

If you are tagged in this you are supposed to do it for yourself and tag me and some other friends in your note. I've been tagged by a bunch of you, so I guess it's my turn. I fyou want to do this on your own blog, consider yourself tagged.

1. My Dad was a pastor, and I spent a few years not wanting to go to church and thinking it was boring. Then I got a job at a camp and led devotional services, then I joined a church as an adult, now I worship regularly and work (part-time) for 3 churches. I couldn't imagine life without a church family. I guess I've come full-circle.
2. I love sunflowers, they always make me smile.
3. My BEST childhood memories involve summer camp (yay, Ma-He-Tu!) and my family's cabin in the Adirondack's.
4. I love vacationing in warm climates, but I really don't mind the snow and cold of winter and couldn't imagine living somewhere without 4 seasons.
5. I love garage sales, estate sales, auctions and consignment shops. There's always the possibility that someone else's junk could be a real treasure.
6. I drink more than my husband. I know that sounds bad, but he really doesn't drink much at all, and I love a good microbrewed beer or nice Chardonnay. For the taste. Really.
7. I love Facebook. It's like a virtual reunion and you don't have to suffer through awkward small talk, bad banquet food or change out of your jammies. I wish it was around when I went off to college. I'm sure I would have been better at keeping in touch.
8 I'm a procrastinator. That might explain why I'm not so good at keeping in touch. One year I *meant to send out Christmas cards, but they turned into St. Patty's Day cards. Usually they're New Year's cards. This year I didn't send any.
9. I'm an optimist. And I usually think the best about people.
10. I love reading and could happily spend a week snowbound with no cable as long as I had good food and drink and a stack of books.
11. I love food, but don't have the energy or creativity to be a good cook.
12. But I love collecting recipes.
13. I may not talk to them often or see them often, but I treasure friends from the past. They are always in my heart.
14. I lived in England for 9 months and dated a nice guy from Lebanon.
15. I think fondly of all the guys I've dated. I don't think there are any that I wouldn't be happy to meet for a drink and catch up on our loves and families.
16. I've been fortunate enough work in careers/ agencies that feel like a calling, not a job - the YMCA, Head Start, Lutheran Churches.
17. My favorite foods are Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern, and Chinese. Unfortunately, my family doesn't share this passion.
18. I swam competitively in high school
19. I had major, elective surgery last year and I don't regret it. No, it wasn't a face lift.
20. I love cats and dogs. I think a house without pets is empty.
21. I met my husband while working at the Y, So was he.
22. I really dislike seafood. All kinds
23. I could happily exist on chicken, cheese and potatoes. And steak. And bacon. And maybe a salad. :-)
24. I would love to stick with running enough to run in a half-marathon. (I don't really run now, my excuse is that it's too cold)
25. I got ice skates for Christmas 2 years ago and I love them and wish I used them more.
and just because:
26. I want to take a belly dancing class and a rowing (crew) class this year.

HaPPy AuStRaLiA DaY!

Hope you enjoyed it.


Cheers, Mate!

I'll be back.

Excuse me while I kick into warp speed and have a panic attack.


32 hours and counting until 80 people come to my house to judge my housekeeping skillz party and enjoy themselves.

My house is still on the biohazard condemned list, but at least I organized my tupperware and cleaned out my fridge.

I'm sorry I didn't take pics. Of the former food substances that were residing in the back of the fridge - the part that doesn't see the light of day. Salsa and apple butter that I bet were from Bush's first term. Feta cheese that got moldy. I never feta cheese *could get moldy.

You think I'm kidding? There was a kid yogurt from 2006!

I'll be back - after the party.

Have a great weekend!

Hmmmm, where to BeGiN?

First: a DiScLaiMeR. If you've come by thinking you'll find some witty, pithy commentary; I'm sorry, you won't find it here this week.

I've been a slacker both here and at home and work. I'm suffering from both eNnUi and PaNiC. I'm creating my own crunch and I'll be paying for it very soon.

We have about 80 people coming over on Saturday to our humble and modest abode (it's a basic suburban split-level colonial - certainly no more than 2000 sf) for the corporate Christmas party that was postponed from December when DH was in the hospital.

My children's rooms have been condemned by the local health department, my kitchen is buried under a mountain of school notes, coupons and unread newspapers, I have stinky hockey equipment in my guest bathroom, and 2 litter boxes that I don't know what to do with during the party. Oh, and since it's post-Christmas, no homey, warm decorations to distract the eye away from cabinets that need refinishing and baseboards that have seen better days.

We rent a tent and a heater and set it up on the deck to put the bar. That's where most of the people hang out anyway. But said deck is currently buried underneath snow and ice.

My brother came to visit last weekend and provided the perfect opportunity to drink beer (Magic Hat winter ale mix) and procrastinate instead of cleaning and decluttering. By the way, he argued about all the Scrabble words that are accepted by the online dictionaries. Classics like ZA and QI. How can I play Scrabble without those words!?

I had a follow-up visit to a doctor that I was referred to after my kidney infection from December. (If you know me in real life or know my address, PLEASE STOP READING HERE!)

Last week I had a catheter put in as part of the dr visit. That was BaD enough, use your imagination, but at least the doctor was a very pregnant woman named Kristin. :-) This past Friday, I had the pleasure discomfort of having a teeny tiny camera inserted to take pictures of my bladder . (okay, the pictures were way cool - I could see them on a tv screen, but THAT'S NOT THE POINT) The doctor was a cute kid young man named TIM. Color me shocked, but what was I supposed to do? Run out ScReaMinG? I had to suck it up and deal. Talk about a wee bit embarrassing. Anyway.

Okay, if you know me, you can open your eyes and start reading again.

I went sledding with a youth group on Monday. It was fun, but I used a little purple disc that was meant for someone about 70 lbs lighter than me, and was told that all I had to do was put my feet out and I could brake. As a result, I slid (sledded?) all the way down, pretty much on my coat, not the disc.

So, I started out the work week a day late, then I pretty much frittered away the work day on Tuesday by watching inaugural coverage on the computer. My newsletter NEEDS to be mailed out this week. And did I mention that 80 people that my husband works with are coming to my house on Saturday?! Yeah, I have a bit of a time crunch on my hands. And what am I doing? Blogging. Yeah, I know. I need an intervention.

I missed LOST last night. I was too tired. I'll catch it soon, I hope since it's been DVR'd. I did see Top Chef. I fell asleep several times, so I watched it this morning. None of them were on their game last night. Well, maybe Stefan and Fabio. But the rest? Blah.

ps, yes, I totally copied Lorrie's mixed up letters. I LoVe them. And they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. :-)

Sorry

I had company this weekend. My little brother and his exhuberant dog came to visit.

We did cold, outdoor activities, made him watch two of Number One Son's hockey games, commiserated about the Eagles, played Scrabble (not the computer version!), ate lots of food and drank a case of awesome winter ales.

I have a lot to catch up on.

More later.

After the Inauguration.

After Real Housewives of Orange County - "Naked Wasted, Part 2".

I'll be back.

Random Ramblings

And some RaNtS.

Top Chef: Chicken?! I do love chicken, but chicken (!) won the challenge?!

RHOC: Shots at a "classy" dinner party? More like an episode of "Girls Behaving Badly". As much as I love this show, it seems they are really stretching for material this season and perhaps we've had enough the OC gals. Etiquette class? Horse racing? Plotting to get Gretchen Naked Wasted? Aren't these women embarrassed in their neighborhoods, grocery stores, and doctor's offices when these epiosodes air?

the COLD: I'm in my office. It's heated and has indoor plumbing. I'm wearing my warm, cozy snow boots. And my toes are FROZEN. That's just not right. 80° in CA? KMA.

Big Love: It's back, bay-bee! :-)

Bush's Farewell Speech: It's tonight! I have the champagne chilling!

Borders vs Barnes and Noble: Barnes and Noble - you're not doing ME any favors with your chintzy 10% off email coupons. What good are they? BORDERS always sends me 40% or at least 25%. You do the math.

Teenagers: Well, one teenager. My son. He has activities and events that go past my bedtime. Hockey practice across town that goes from 9:10 - 10:10. PM. ANd a wrestling event that he wanted to go as a spectator that involved picking him up at 9:15. PM.
Let me just say that
1) that intereferes with the only TV I like to watch which is usually on at 9 PM
2) I like to get in my jammies at around 9 PM,
3) I love my after-dinner chardonnay and I would rather not have to drive and
4) let me just remind you that evening temps here have been around 0° (ZERO)

And I saw this in a Tweet from abdpbt: http://tinyurl.com/a492uh "Whatthefupdate" It's just perfect.

It'S jUsT nOt FaiR.

So, I figure I'll give myself a little boost with some online window shopping. I mean what else can I do when it's 2 degrees outside?

So, I open up an email I got from Piperlime - you know, the site with all the great shoes and handbags.

So, the handbag pictured on the front page is cute.

It's a "Rachel Zoe pick". Cute, right?

Hip, fashionable and big (the better to camouflage my junk), and infinitely an improvement over the sad, worn bag I got 2 years ago from Marshall's.

But then I clicked over to the site and saw the price tag.


$548!!!!!!


Yeah, right. Not tHaT cute.

I wonder what the selection is over at Target?

I have a bigger dilemma...

The Season 3 premier of Big Love is at 9 PM on Sunday.

The SAME DAY and TIME as Desperate Housewives!

What's a girl to do?

Thank goodness for the DVR.

:::Sob::: I got an "F"

No, not that kind of "F", actually this one isn't bad. It's better than X or Q or even K.

I got it from Lorrie and it's not a grade, it's a meme (or MeMe, or whatevertheheckyoucallit - just play along if you want)

Here's the Alphabet Super Game. You have to list Ten Favorite Things that start with certain letter-assigned to you by the blogger (Lorrie).

So, here goes:
1. F.X. MAtt - that's the brewery in Utica, NY that makes Saranac beers - I like all beers, really. As long as they are flavorful and dark. You can add Flying Dog, Foster's, Fullers, etc to the list as well. You can leave off Miller, Michelob, Budweiser and crap like that.
2. Friends - what's not to love? Neighbors, childhood friends, Facebook friends, camp friends, blogging friends - you can never have too many. Life is Good.
3. Facebook - aaaah, yes, Facebook. I love it for a way to reconnect with folks from my past, play with new friends, generally waste time and of course, play Scrabble. The only thing I don't like are those stupid sheep that get tossed around and gardens and Pack rat. BUt I love getting an itty-bitty peak at what's going on in people's lives. And I love the old photos that are surfacing. It's like a virtual reunion but I don't have to get a babysitter or wear scratchy pantyhose. And the drinks at my house are strong and free.
4. Faith - As they say, "You've come a long way, baby". I went from reluctant daughter of a pastor to active church member to employed by the church. I actually lead public prayer and tell little mini-sermons to the kids. My daughter's cool with it, but my son's not impressed. Not that he should be impressed, but he's more reluctant than I ever was. I can only hope that he'll settle in to his own groove as he get's older. Really, though, beneath the snark, faith is very important to me, and as I've gotten older, the faith community is just as important. We're not on this journey alone and I so appreciate the fellowship and prayers of others.
5. Family - of COURSE, I'd list family. As aggravating as they are (and I to them), I wouldn't trade them for the world. That includes my Type-A husband (works hard, plays hard), my darling daughter, and my Number One Son.
6. Football - not one of my favorite things. really, sorry, I don't care all that much.
7. Fight - while fighting is not one of my favorite things, I do appreciate a good debate.
8. Frugal - I'm ridiculously frugal and wasteful at the same time. I love a good garage sale and think if you don't use coupons you're just throwing money away. I used to religiously read the Target Bargains board that used to be on AOL message boards and thought a great day was finding something that was 90% off on the clearance endcaps. Free is even better, but after a brief foray into the FreeCycle community, I decided to do without. I don't have time for half that crap now, but I do still love a good bargain.
9. Fickle - I'm notoriously fickle. That's my prerogative. And your's too.
10. Fergie, Peter Frampton, Arthur Fiedler, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Faith Hill - I like music - lots of different styles. But unless I'm at a concert or outdoor venue, I don't like loud music.

So, if you haven't already played - with Lorrie, or ETW, or some other blog, let me know and I'll give you a letter.

I have a dilemma

I have waaayy too many blogs in my blog reader. I really don't have a close connection to them all and don't even comment on them all. There are even more bookmarked, but not subscribed to.

I could spends days, no weeks, absorbed in reading and peeking in to other people's lives.

Instead of living my own.

I think I need to declutter.

Pare down.

Clean out.

Sounds like a New Year's Resolution.

This could be tough.

Not to worry, some of you are stuck with me, no matter how you might wish otherwise. You who make me laugh. Or think. Or make me feel like we could be friends and/or bar buddies in real life.

I hope you know who you are. The others will never miss me.

Despite any evidence to the contrary

I'm really an easy-going, forgiving person. Not much bothers me, except well, my own children's annoying behaviors.

But that's because they do it on purpose.

You know they do.

But really, OPK (Other People's Kids)? They don't bother me.

I know babies will coo, or get cranky; and toddlers are needy and don't have refined manners. They're just doing what they're programmed to do. I understand that.

And I'm VERY sympathetic towards harried mothers who might be at their wit's end.

But what DOES annoy me is people who bring children to places and events where it is not appropriate - either due to the time of day, or the content, or the atmosphere.

You know what I mean. The people who affect the mood of your romantic dinner when you are at a fancy restaurant late in the evening. The couple who insist on bringing their kids when you invite them over, even though you've suggested that they get a babysitter so you can enjoy adult conversation.

And the group behind me at Bride Wars yesterday who had not one, but two alternately crying and cooing babies. And a passel of children of other assorted young ages. Clearly not a group of children who had any remote understanding of the situations and comedy of the movie.

I'm not annoyed at the kids. In fact their behaviors wouldn't have attracted any attention at say, Bolt, or Wall-E. But Bride Wars? It was very annoying. And the stoopid twit mothers just kept bouncing their little bundles of joy despite the fact that their sounds were annoying to others.

And to top it all off? I swear one of the babies needed a diaper change. Pee-uuuu.

I was on a roll yesterday, because DD and I went to out to eat last night since the guys were in NYC licking their wounds in the long car ride home from Giants Stadium.

The downstairs was fairly empty and yet they sat an extended family 7 next to us. In a corner. A crowded corner.

The elderly parents had smelly unwashed hair and the woman had more facial hair than her husband. They had a weird unwashed, old person/homeless aroma about them. The rest of the family (adult siblings and their families) were oblivious and in fact, didn't really talk much to the elderly grandparents at all. I think the elderly mother spoke 2 words the entire time. I'm not even sure she ordered her own food. But the teen boy knocked over his water glass and ice cubes not once, but about 3 times and then started drumming a beat on the table and then proceeded to cluck his tongue.

Argggghhhh. I can get that crap from my own Rude Teenage Son. I don't need it from someone else's.

I'm sorry. Some of that was mean -spirited. Truth be told, had it not been for the Teen-age son, I wouldn't have noticed the rest.

I know, I sound like a curmudgeon.

Sorry. Rant over.

The question of the hat

I think I just need some cool shades.


That's all, right?


Right?!


;-)

My daughter is a great Spitter

The card game, that is.
She got me up at 6 AM to play before school. She started out playing 2 handed yesterday, but she's gotten so good that I made her switch to one-handed.

I won. :-)

The rest of my post got eaten by blogger and I'm too lazy to re-type it all.

Enjoy the day!

Random thoughts on cats. and dogs, too.

First of all, even though I'm familiar with the book, Marley and Me, I was totally blindsided by the movie.

First of all, every single preview makes you think it's just a funny, kinda dumb movie about an adorable, incorrigible dog. Cute. A light fluff holiday movie, right?

Oh, nooooo. All 4 of us were bawling at the end. On our happy-go-lucky vacation. Granted, the title character reminded us (looks wise, anyway) of our lab mix that we put to sleep in October. But really. A little warning next time. Please? At least a reminder about the ending.

Second, I loooove cats for their independence. For their you-can't-make-me-run-to-you aloofness. For their I'm-so-cool I-wouldn't-be-caught-dead-playing-fetch attitude. For their "I-meant-to-do-that coolness.

So, why do I have the goofy cat that is more Marley-like in his antics and total lack of grace? I have the cat who missed me so much while we were gone, that I can't even go to the bathroom alone since I've been home.
(Doesn't he look devious?)

I have the cat who thinks that 4 AM is the purr-fect time to wake me up for a snuggle and some belly-scratching. Can you read the time on the clock? 3:59. That's AM, people!


And when I try to ignore him, he nips me on the cheek. Yes, he BITES me.

:::sigh:::

I do think he's adorable, though.

Ain't love grand?

Key West

So, we take an incredible road trip to Key West and what happens? My camera battery is "exhausted". Boohoo, that's why we took it on vacation. :-)

This is all I got.

Yes, it pains him to be seen with me. :-)

Sorry, just turn your head sideways.

HapPy NeW YeaR!

More Flo-rida

Yup. I know it looks ridiculous.
I bought it to drive my teen-aged son crazy.

Worth every penny.

Why?

Can you see the ruffles? They're an especially nice touch.
I think she's like, 67. You can't see it here, but there's a matching pink hair bow attached to the side.

I'm thinking I obviously don't have enough self-confidence.

I did it

i

I got Twilight from my daughter for Christmas and I just finished it on the beach.


I'm hooked.

And I don't even like vampires or silly teen romance novels.

Aaaahhhhh, Good Morning

We went from this....

To this.....

Oops, I can't always figure out how to rotate these. I mean, I rotate them, then when I cut and paste they're sideways again.

Ack.