Good to know that Larry, Moe and Curly are working at our nuclear facilities. Where's the disk? do you have the disk? do I have the disk? ::insert 3 Stooges sound effects here::
I know of so many people who are obsessed with collecting those stupid state quarters. There are MILLIONS of 'em around! They're not rare! They're not collectors' items. You'll never sell your collection and get rich. They're worth $0.25. and not a nickle (or a quarter) more...
This kid needs a part time job to keep him busy. He obviously has too much free time on his hands...
First we had the Fishing Hat Bandit. Now we have the SpongeBob Bandit. That name has a better ring to it.
And there you have it! Behave yourselves, now, and have a good day. Ciao.
1/28/05 5:47 AM
Maybe I'm feeling especially un-witty this morning. I've got nothin' to say about the news. I figured out my taxes yesterday. The good thing about not owning a house is that it takes about 30 seconds to figure them out. The bad thing is that I have virtually no deductions, so I end up having to pay in. Well, I guess that's not so bad, either. I've never understood those people that use the government as a big ol' savings account so they get the huge refund at the end of the year. I'm perfectly capable of saving money myself, and I'd rather have my money to spend throughout the year.. so when I need to come up with some at tax time, I can do that.
On the agenda for the weekend: I'm doing volunteer stuff tonight, and some on the side extra cash work tomorrow. Keeping busy AND making money - my dad would love that! And not that I'm counting, but it's just 19 days 'til vacation. AND (how many more sentences can begin with that word?) it's almost monthly music list time. February is top 10 break up songs. That one oughta be easy.
And what's going on in your life? Talk to you later. Ciao.
1/27/05 5:01 AM
Well here we are again. Maddy-cat is pretty ticked off at me this morning. Her latest trick is to sit on the chair next to the computer and wait for me to bring her a little saucer of milk (yeah, we'll get into how spoiled she is next time). I'm out of milk, so I brought her some vanilla creamer. Not the same, I guess. I just got the equivalent of a kitty-glare. Note to self - stop at grocery store on the way home.
And on that happy note, I gotta go to work. Ciao. Have a good day.
1/26/05 4:52 AM
It was a crazy, crazy day at work. At any one point in the day, I was doing 3 or 4 things.. talk about the multi-tasking! Even at lunch - I met a vendor for lunch to sign some paperwork, so I couldn't really be 'off'. I couldn't wait to get home. Had to run one errand on the way, and the cashier was oh-so chatty.. I was giving these short little one-word answers, because it was either that or I was going to cry or rip her head off. By the time I walked in the door here, I was zombie-like. Literally hit the couch and didn't move until 8:00 or so. I fixed a little dinner and crawled into bed. Today has to be better...
The one word solution to this problem: Apple. (yeah, it's like a cult. So what? I don't get viruses!)
It's Girl Scout cookie time. The sign-up sheets started popping up around our office this week. Mmmmm... thin mints.
I'm crabby. I need a vacation. Ciao.
1/25/05 5:11 AM
Good day, and all that.
Oh my gosh. I can be secure in knowing that I'm one of the six. C'MON, people. How can you not know this stuff?? I guess these are the same ones that just download viruses over and over again, too.
Hmmmm... Note to self: next time I go to chinese restaurant, fake a heart attack to get out of paying bill....
Before I turned in last night I made up the coffee and hit the 'delay brew' button. I love that feature.. waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee is the greatest. So I woke up this morning to that freshly brewed coffee. I stumbled out to the kitchen, poured a cup, glanced at the digital clock on the microwave... 1:30 AM. Yep. Forgot to reset the delay brew time after they had all my electricity off to install the new stuff on Friday. I went back to bed and got up just a few minutes ago. Made up some fresh coffee. I'll reset that delay brew time before I go to work...
Of course the hugest news from yesterday was that Johnny Carson died. I knew I was a big kid when mom let me stay up late enough to see his monologue. He was the best - every other talk show host is just a pale imitation.
So it's the Patriots and the Eagles in the Super Bowl. I think I have to cheer for Philly. If they took us out of the playoffs, the least they can do is win it all.
Gotta go. Have an excellent day. Ciao.
1/23/05 8:15 AM
He'doh. My dose is doh plugt uph. I have to go stock up on the economy-size boxes of kleenex. I swear to God, if I get pink-eye again from this, I'll... well... I'll be really mad or something. :-)
Once again, everyone else is getting hit hard with the snow, and we got (barely) anything. I shouldn't jinx us. I'll be bitching about snow in April or something...
I'm sure my invitation to Trump's wedding was just delayed in the mail. How over the top was this event? But mmmm.. wedding cake laced with Grand Marnier... (jotting that down, just in case. What?? It could happen!!)
I have no words. Wait. Yes, I do. This is not the way to be the "cool mom". And you're the MOM, for God's sake. Be a parent, not a friend!
Anyone else see the flaw in this logic? HE'S 84 YEARS OLD and hopelessly out of touch with the real world. Gah. Don't get me started on this. Just - don't.
If I can pull myself together, I may run to the yarn store. I've got a pattern for a shawl I wanna try. I picked up the hoodie sweater again. The back and both sides of the front are done, starting on the sleeve, and I realized I'm not gonna have enough to finish. I can get both sleeves done, but not the hood. I ran to two different Joanne's yesterday.. their yarn sections are COMPLETELY cleaned out. You can tell that knitting is cool again. Used to be I could always walk in and come out with exactly what I needed. Anyway - I ordered the yarn for the hood online (it won't matter as much if it's a different dye-lot if it's just the hood, I figure), but now have to wait for it to get here. In the meantime, I'll start the shawl. One can never have too many projects going at the same time!
Ciao, Bellas. Have a good day.
1/22/05 10:29 PM
Feed a cold? Starve a fever? Is it the other way around? Went out for dinner and games with friends tonight and while I did eat, I couldn't taste anything. I begged off early and just got home.. time to drink more tea and pop a couple more Zicam tablets. Buona Sera.
PS - who's going to California next month? Oh, that's right...ME!
1/21/05 5:07 PM
I have new appliances, new light fixtures and it's the storm of the century out there. I had to walk across the park to the inconvenience-expensive store (where I paid $5 for milk and creamer). There was probably 3" of fluffy snow out there already, and it was so pretty.
(it was REALLY windy... and this was on my camera phone. Not professional, I know. But you get the general idea!)
1/21/05 8:11 AM
Got to have a little sleep-in time today.. ahhh. Issy, unfortunately, did not understand this, or perhaps he didn't get the memo. He was up at 5:30 looking for food. I finally got up and fed him and he just kept buggin' me until I finally got up at 7:00. Now he's all curled up under the blankets sleeping. Excuse me while I go wake him up. Heh.
I'm waiting for "the man" to bring my new appliances. Stove, microwave, dishwasher, fridge. This will be the tough part to give up about apartment living. "The Man" brings all this new stuff (and fixes it) for free! (do you see the flaw in my thinking here?) I'm getting new light fixtures and doorknobs, too. AND they've finished the exercise room downstairs. Now that the place is finally turning into the taj mahal I'll be leaving.. but not for a while, so I'll still get a chance to enjoy it.
We're supposed to get REAL snow today - 4"-"6". I guess we're about due. Long as it isn't a couple feet, so I can still drive around, it's not too bad. It'll only be around for a couple months anyway.
No news yet today, I haven't cruised around to check it out yet. If I find anything noteworthy I'll tell ya about it. Ciao.
How'd you like a job where you could get fired fro makking typpos? I spupsose its jutsified in this intsance...(it's hard to spell that many words incorrectly. try it!)
True confessions time: Oh yeah, I watched American Idol. Even if Dame! won't watch it with me...
Last early day for chele this week.. I get to sleep in a bit tomorrow, whoop! I've gotta go tell Mare that the blog is up now. Have a good day. Ciao, bellas.
1/19/05 5:07 AM
My gosh.. January is disappearing. How did it get past middle of the month already?
Here's my trip through the news:
I'll miss Raymond, but give him credit. End it now, while it's still funny.. and I love the fact that it'll be just a regular half-hour show. And please, no spin-offs.
Holy Crap... it's like a flying building. I still don't understand how they stay in the air. Yeah, yeah, Turk used to try to explain it to me - while we were in mid-flight, mind you, so it used to freak me out. I'd make him so mad.. he'd go through the long, drawn-out explanation, using examples and physics and all that mumbo-jumbo stuff. He'd finish and then I'd look at him and say "So, you're saying it's a miracle, right?" Heh. No wonder he enjoyed working with me so much...
CBS should take this opportunity to makeover the evening news. Katie Couric would make a great anchor.
Get well soon, Ty! He could be Sunday night boyfriend number two, right behind my TRUE boyfriend (say it with me): James Spader.
Hmmm. Did Richard Hatch think that no one from the IRS watched Survivor?
All right.. I'm outta here! Have a good day. Ciao.
1/18/05 5:01 AM
Life is good. Family Guy is back! I have to laugh.. Fox, the network that was so whipped up about Moss' pretend mooning, has now become a moral compass for all of us. No butts allowed.
It's a heat wave! 20 degrees today, but the snow is coming. The colder it got, the less the kitties moved around. Issy refused to get up off the sweater the other morning:
Can't say that I blame him...
Gotta go now. Ciao, Bellas.
1/17/05 5:11 AM
Good morning. We're not even going to discuss the game, except to wonder who thought the double secret fake field goal attempt was a GOOD idea. Oy. They do this to me every year. Maybe I will start watching lacrosse...
Wanna-be space-geek moment of the day. Just... Wow. Pictures from Saturn's moon, Titan.
The weekend ended with a whiz-bang migraine yesterday, so I spent the evening curled up on the couch. I've got one of those headache hangovers this morning (where you know you had the headache, but it's gone - know what I mean?). I'm just gonna move slowly through today. And there ya have it! Have an excellent day. Ciao.
1/15/05 12:24 PM
We finished up just a little after 3:00 AM. All in all, it went well. A few minor glitches - they couldn't open the dock door, which I had zero tolerance for at 12:30 AM when it was about -10 degrees outside. I didn't even have to use too many bad words.. they opened the doors pretty quickly. I think they knew I'd open 'em MYSELF if we'd had to wait around much longer. I slept in until 11:00, and now I'm going to read the news and just sit on my pretty little... well.. I'm just gonna sit for a while. Have a good day! Ciao.
1/14/05 5:27 PM
I'm home between working, erranding and doing the move. It was a day of utter, total chaos, but we're as ready as we'll ever be to do this. I hope. The only thing I won't get to do is take a little nap. I've brewed up a pot of coffee that is so freakin' strong that it's threatening to melt the insides of my favorite insulated mug. With the first sip, my hair stood on end. I'm typing at about 672 wpm. 3 more cups and I'll be ready to go. I won't sleep until April.
Wish me luck!
1/14/05 5:07 AM
You want cold? How's this for cold? -10 degrees, windchill -30. When we're moving people tonight (yes, yet another move project will come to a close), the temp should be around -25. I have a very glamorous job.
I watched Garden State last night. Eventually I do get around to seeing stuff... I told ya so. Very good. One of those movies that kinda haunts your dreams a little bit. I think it would take a couple of viewings to pick up on all the subtleties.
And yes, it's moving project at work tonight. This is a group that works late, so we can't take 'em until after midnight. The plan is to go in for a while today, (noon, which I fear will be closer to 3..), get some errand-stuff done, bring dinner back for the techs, and then get the move on. I hope we'll be done by 3 in the A.M.. Oy.
If you ask me, Sheriff Joe Arpaio likes the pink things a leeeeetle too much.
Sounds like American Idol will have a few twists this year. What's up with the men vs. women thing on all these shows now?
Here goes nothin'! Ciao.
1/13/05 5:02 AM
It's still almost above freezing. But here it comes. That's all they could talk about on the news last night: arctic freeze. We do so love to brag about it.
I know what Homer would say to this: Mmmmmm, bunuelos...
Who IS this woman? Someone needs to clue me in. I've never seen her, or the show she's on, but she sure seems obnoxious.
Bad costume choice, kid. The operative word there, though, is kid. Kids do dumb things. Even kids with famous parents.
I was braggin' back on New Year's Day that at last I've learned the difference between wanting something and NEEDING something. Well, I need an iPod shuffle! Really. I need it. Truly. Or maybe I have to rethink this whole thing again..
I've gotta get myself bundled up for the day. Ciao, Bellas. Have an excellent day.
1/12/05 5:04 AM
The way I generally like to start my days is simple.. feed the kitties, drink my coffee, and then read stories like this one that make my head explode. I can barely get my mind around the vastness of our own solar system.. then I think about the fact that there are other solar systems.. and "Super Earths".. and.. well... then I just have to go have another cup of coffee.
That is all. Except for the fact that my new coffee maker rocks (sorry Megan), and I've gotta go get HKSaturn's oil changed. Mare, wanna come with me? I'll treat you to Arbys.. It's an exciting life I lead.. Ciao, Bellas.
1/11/05 5:07 AM
Hey there... What do you know for sure? I know that it's WAY cold out there right now, and it's only gonna get colder. Remind me again - why do we live here?
Hmmm. CBS probably should have done their homework before running with this story, eh? You can't trust the big, bad media I guess. Which is why, from now on, I'll only be getting my news from America's finest news source.
My TV that I threw out the window the other day? I might have to take it back.
Some of the coolest girls in the world get their knit on at Ninas. And in their honor:
(Yeah, I doctored 'em up a bit, because I am an "artist"... don't you forget it!)
Buona Sera!
1/10/05 5:00 AM
First things first. I was all set to watch our team go up in smoke.. but they could do nothing wrong! Where was this team for the past 8 weeks?! I'm still a little cautious, though. I'm not gonna get my hopes up for the trip to Philly next week.
Sun stone massage? Eh - it's okay. I like regular massages better, I think. The place was great though. Very calm, very relaxing.
There's nutty weather everywhere except right here. But the cold air is coming: 25 below this weekend. Great.
That's it. If this show actually makes it onto the airwaves, I'm throwing my television out the window.
Time to get ready for the week. Talk to youse later - ciao.
1/9/05 7:30 AM
Who is this girl? Why doesn't she sleep late anymore?
Watched two great playoff games last night. St. Louis/Seattle and Jets/San Diego. Man... I thought the Chargers were gonna do it. How bad does their Kicker feel today? (and honestly - I didn't think they let 12 year olds play football.. he's just a KID!). Both of those games were far better than today's Vikings game, I fear. I don't know if I can bring myself to watch it. Oh, I probably will. After all, I'll be all relaxed after my spa-trip.
EEEK! Thank goodness he wasn't hurt. But what I found most amazing about this story? Paul Newman is 79 years old?!?!?!?
No, thanks. I don't want to take a Caribbean Cruise. Those ships are big ol' germ factories.
And if I'm ever sick, don't bring me to this hospital, okay?
That's what I know so far today. Ciao, Bellas. Have a good one.
1/8/05 4:56 AM
Up early, because I have to go volunteer at 6:00 this morning. I think I have my sleep turned around right, though. I was actually awake past 10:30 last night. I've got coffee from my new super-duper deluxe coffee maker, and it's time to start looking at the news:
I think I speak for the entire world when I say Thank you, Fox.
I have no words. Other than I'm very afraid..and a little grossed out.
One more cup...then I'm gonna get going. Have a most excellent day. Ciao!
1/7/05 4:27 AM
This is about as upside down as my sleep schedule has been for a while. I'm going to bed BEFORE 10pm (last night it was 9:30) and I'm waking up between 3-4am. I guess that's what stress will do to ya. It's interesting. I'm seeing times of the day I haven't seen from this perspective before - i.e. being on the AWAKE side of 3am instead of the going to BED side of 3am.
Someone has to help me understand this. She TOLD police that she killed her children to "save them from the devil"..but the verdict was overturned. She's so nutty that she'll never be let out, though, right?
It's looking more and more like there'll be no hockey at all this season. Nope..I'm still not gonna be a lacrosse fan. No way.
Ah, yes.. When Dame! and I go for our Sunday evening dinners, I often have to return to the restaurant to retrieve my firearm, don't I?
Speaking of Dame! - Shout out good luck to you today!
I will now be submitting hand-written lawsuits to ALL TV shows I don't like. Hey-ER! You suck! Gimme $25 million.. Oy.
Good morning. I got nothin' today. It's the mid-winter yucks setting in. I'm gonna schedule a massage. I've been hearing good things about this place.. think I'll give it a try. Sometimes you just need to be good to yourself.
Here are some of the squares I've done for the WarmUpAmerica project.
I'll need to do some major blocking (that means making everything the same size, Mare) on some of those.. but it should make up nicely. Don't ya love the colors?
Gotta go. Ciao, Bellas. Have a good one.
1/5/05 5:01 AM
Buon Giorno. My coffee-maker-fixing skills aren't what I thought they were, so I'll be stopping at Target today. Tonight most definitely has to be all about the laundry. Besides, I'm fairly certain that there'll be new episodes of Lost and West Wing, so it's a good excuse to just stay home and get some stuff done.
Nice. This idiot points a laser at a plane, temporarily blinding the pilot, and then tries to blame his daughter. Lock him up!
Even worse - the kid is SEVEN years old. That's it. Off with his head.
One more reason why I'm done with reality TV - for good. Well... maybe just one more season of Big Brother..
You know how it is when you're NOT expecting something? Have you ever picked up a glass that you thought was gonna be really heavy, only to have it turn out to be plastic so that when you do pick it up you send it sailing across a room? This morning I stumbled into the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee, put my mocha creamer in it, took a sip.... COLD ICE cold. EWWWWWWW! I have to figure out what's wrong with it, being the very mechanical girl that I am.
This is what I found to be noteworthy in the news today...
And a Happy F'ing New Year to you too, Vince!
Dame! keeps telling me I should give "24" a watch. New season starting this week. Keifer Sutherland is my back-up boyfriend, right after James Spader.. (alas, he doesn't know it either).
This man was having a really, really bad day. Take more medication, sir. It'll help.
Gotta love the crock pot.. I made up some chicken and rice last night between 1:00-4:00 AM. I have to go dish some up for lunch and put the rest away. Mare, we'll go invest in one of those for you. And with that, I'm outta here. Ciao, Bellas.
1/3/05 4:58 AM
We went to IKEA yesterday. I had to get some bedside tables, lamps for the tables.. and what do you think of this desk (with a t-leg)? And this armchair? It was a fun, frenzied shopping expedition.
We paid no attention to the game. How is it that they can play so badly and yet still make the playoffs? (because so many other teams play badly as well, I suppose.) They're just putting off the inevitable. Playing Green Bay again at Lambeau Field? Please...
I just found the Movie Mistakes page. I've never been good at spotting them - I don't pay close enough attention, I guess. But even BETTER, I also found the Ruined Endings page! No one will EVER tell me how movies end ("Go see it yourself" doesn't help me.. I just want to know!) Excellent!
It's back to the eyedrops for me - the pink-eye has returned for a repeat performance. Quite lovely, if I do say so myself. Or not-so-much. Off I go! Have a lovely day. Ciao.
1/1/05 5:35 PM
I've seen this meme on a bunch of sites (the latest was Mopsa's). It's a cool way to take stock on the past year, and the year to come. Feel free to share your answers with me..
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Put my financial house in order so that I can buy a REAL house.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Yes. I'll make more for this year - I found out, though, that it's all about making achievable goals!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank God.
5. What countries did you visit?
I stayed right here in the USofA. In fact, I stayed right here in Minnesota. That'll change this year. I'm going to take a REAL vacation.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
For the first time in my life, I can say that I'm not lacking anything. I have everything I need right now.. I'm mostly content.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 26th - the day the Pastor's Wives Club was born was a great day. July 4th - the picnic at the lake, also a great time... times spent with people who are important to me.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running a 67,000 square foot construction project and moving 400 employees was a pretty big deal, I guess.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't believe in failures. I believe in learning opportunities! There were quite a few times when I was less-than-true to myself and my beliefs. I'm changing that in 2005.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Well, besides the strep and mono? :-) During the construction project, I strained my back and lost a fingernail, and the migraines are back. But compared to what I've been through the past 4 years, this one was a cake walk!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iBook.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mare's, Dame's and mine over the past month - for getting through some pretty tough times relatively unscathed...
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those who know me best know the answer to this. 'Nuff said.
14. Where did most of your money go?
iTunes, yarn, dining out.. the fun parts of life.
15. What did you get really, really really excited about?
Getting my laptop and the wireless network set up. I can blog from the balcony now!
16. What song will remind you of 2004?
"Pavement Cracks" by Annie Lennox - I listened to that all summer long.
17 Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder?
a little sadder, but definitely back on the upswing ii. thinner or fatter?
thinner! iii. richer or poorer?
richer! two outta three ain't bad.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Walking at the lake. Hanging out with CuzGirl.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
A little less second guessing, less self-doubting.
20. How will you be spending New Year's
I went out for dinner with new friends last night..had great laughs and great conversation. Today I just hung out at home with the kitties. It's sleeting outside - I'm glad I'm inside.
21. Did you fall in love in 2004?
Nope - I just fell..
22. How many one-night stands?
I'm not that kind of girl!
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
"Hate" is a pretty strong word. But yeah, there's a couple people who've slipped off of chele's top-ten list...
25. What was the best book you read?
"Zen and the Art of Knitting". Mock me if you will... it's a great book! It covers two of my favorite hobbies.
26. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
Joan Baez - Diamonds and Rust.
27. What did you want and get?
The laptop. Peace of mind.
28. What did you want and not get?
Nothing! And I've learned the difference between "want" and "need".
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
You know, I don't think I went to a single movie this year.. I watched "Stargate" on DVD and I thought it was pretty good. "Bruce Almighty" and "Best of Show" made me laugh and laugh..
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Well, I was 29 and some months... (okay - 29 and quite a few months). My birthday celebration lasted almost an entire week, during which I ate at Mai Village, Pazzaluna, Macaroni Grill and Pazzaluna AGAIN. Gotta love that. Amazingly, I do not weigh 300 pounds..
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I wish I would have met up with S-P a little earlier in the year..What a huge difference that would have made.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Oh, for the LOVE of God...! I'm not a fashion-maven. Is it comfortable, and can I wear it out in public and not be mocked? OK. Then I'm good.
33. What kept you sane?
S-P, The Pastors Wives, CuzGirl, and chinese food.
34. What celebrity/public figure do you fancy the most?
James Spader. He's my boyfriend, you know... (he just doesn't know it yet!)
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. Thank God that's over.
36. Who did you miss?
My dad.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Ms. Lee Michaels. S-P. The SnB Girls.
38. What is a valuable life lesson that you learned in 2004?
That I'm stronger than I give myself credit for. That the Vikings choke every-single-year. That there IS something to that whole 'power of positive thinking' thing.
39. What is the phrase the best captures the spirit of 2004?
Praise! (The Pastors Wives know what that means..)
40. Quote a song lyric that best sums up your year.
From my favorite song: "The less I seek my source for some definitive, the closer I am to fine."
