Girlfriends

I got this in an email as a direct response to this:
----------
Girlfriends:

I'm only as strong as the cocktails I drink, the hairspray I use, and the girlfriends I have. Here's to you! Why do we only have parties for each other when one of us gets married, pregnant, has a birthday, or retires? What would most of us do without our sisters, confidants, and shopping, lunching and traveling girlfriends? Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake! Pass this on to your girlfriends! If you get this twice or more, you are lucky to have more than one girlfriend. Be happy!

Someone will always be prettier.
They will always be smarter.
Their house will be bigger.
They will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
And their husband will fix more things around the house.

So let it go, and love your circumstances.

Thank about it:
The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house and the clothes.......might be lonely.

And the word says: "If I have not love, I am nothing". So again, love you. Love who you are. Look in the mirror in the morning, smile and say: I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed. Blessed Be Ladies! Share with all the women you know. Remember: To the world you might just be one person...but to one person you might be the world.
----------
Thanks McP. I needed that.

Awww Crap....

I had mentioned during my anniversary post that we have undergone a few career changes over the course of 11 years. Like everyone, (I imagine) some of those changes were voluntary and some were not.

Today we found out that we will be making yet another involuntary career change. And I have one thing to say about that.

Shit.

We were only 8 months into this gig after 10 years at another company and their decision to let hubby go came out of the blue -- but it wasn't really a surprise, I guess. He had been unhappy for a while. And he had been butting heads with higher ups trying to change the way they operated (change is what they *said* they wanted)! Many of the promises made (that made us think that the change would be a good one) never came to pass. So, I believe that this change was meant to be. (I will admit that I had hoped that things would work out, though...) And it sucks that it happened TODAY.

So anyway, any ideas or opportunities for someone with a B.S. degree (meteorology) with 11+ years of management and sales experience -- let me know. I may lose my homemaker status sooner than I thought too. ;) This sucks -- but you have to have your game face on.

Everything will be okay -- it's just that my happy post about the joys of home-made macaroni and cheese will have to wait. I'm gonna go have a glass of wine now.....

(Oh! And ironically someone emailed me this cartoon today -- appropriate, huh??)

Fall Fall Fall

Fall is definitely in the air this week. 39 degrees as we woke up, with a predicted high of 61. A high of just 65 predicted tomorrow and then the forecast says that it will be in the low to mid 70's and sunny for the rest of the week with lows in the 50's. Perfect. Fall. Weather. My favorite.

We have one tree on the street that has jumped the line and gone ahead and changed into it's fall wardrobe. All of the others are holding out and are still very green -- the time is near though. Very near.

Had a busy, busy day yesterday. Ran errands with Grandma -- Wal-Mart and the grocery store. Then off to get a hair cut for me -- always an adventure, that. One of the curses when you move a lot is having to find all new practitioners from doctors to mechanics to hairdressers. And I have a hard time finding a decent hair stylist-cuttter-person for some reason.

Anyway, I really had to fight the urge to lop off about 10 inches and go with (what would be in my mind) a short sassy do. You know, grown up hair. The stylist talked me out of chopping it all off reminding me that winter is around the corner and I probably wouldn't be very happy having snow down my neck in the not too distant future. True, so true. Unfortunately, now I think I have the same haircut I had in 1989. Damn. I am hoping that it is just my usual post trim feak out stage but I had to fight hard this morning to keep from looking like some mutant cross of Sally Struthers with David Lee Roth. Yikes. Going to have to spin the wheel again and play more hairdresseer roulette.

More errands to run today and we will have the added pleasure of having one of A's soccer team-mates + older brother over after school. That should be fun. Tonight we have both swim lessons and soccer practice and then it's time to prep for the weekend and get ready to take G.G. to the airport for her return trip home on Sunday.

The great thing about that is that I get to make my 2nd trip ever to the IKEA store. Oh. My. Goodness. We stopped there for the first time the day we picked G.G. up just to see what all the fuss was about. It is like inexpensive organizational mecca plus cool dishes and lighting. And art. And furniture. And did I mention organizational products?? It was like visiting my home planet! That first day we only had about 30 minutes to spend, though which was sad. I didn't even have enough time to get to all of the departments. On Sunday I get to go back though! Yay!

So fall is in the air around here for sure. Time for shorter days and pumpkins. Crisp cool air and comfort food. And leaves, lots and lots of leaves because this is way fun...
The girls - fall 2003

More Harry Potter Dorkiness

Oh! Look! A fun new toy!! Do you 'spoze the girls will ever figure out that when I get these cool new Harry Potter things things for them it is really for me? I hope not.

Now what holiday is coming up. Maybe *they* could get it for *me* for my birthday. Hmmmmm?

Busy Busy Busy

Many errands to run today. Much cooking to be done to get us ready for the weekend. Lots and lots to do. Just one of those days that I can only hope that eventually catch up with myself (and I hope a glass of wine is waiting for me at the finish line). Sometimes I wonder how I could ever have time to get a "real" job! Sheesh!

Anyway, some funny filler for today.......

Corporate Lesson:

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day.
A rabbit asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?"
The crow answered: "Sure, why not."

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below thecrow, and rested. A fox jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very high up.

-------------

A deputy police officer responded to a report of a barroom disturbance. The "disturbance" turned out to be well over six feet tall and weighed almost 300 pounds. What's more, he boasted that he could whip the deputy and Muhammad Ali too.

Said the policeman, "I'll bet that you're also an escape artist-probably better than Houdini."

The giant nodded.

"If I had some chains," the deputy continued, "you could show us how strong you really are. But all I've got is a set of handcuffs. Why don't you see just how quickly you can break out of them?"

Once in the cuffs, the man puffed, pulled and jerked for four minutes. "I can't get out of these," the giant growled.

"Are you sure?" the deputy asked. The fellow tried again.

"Nope," he replied. "I can't do it."

"In that case," said the deputy, "you're under arrest."

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

"Moms"; definitions given by elementary school age children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.**
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3.They say she used to be nice.**

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof-ball.**
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work & work at home, & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back.


**These are my favorite answers. :)

Woulda.. Shoulda.. Coulda...

Today on Capitol Hill they have convened a committee to interview the former head of FEMA and begin the dissection of all that was done before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina.

Let me make a prediction. Those leading the "investigation" will decide (over and over again) that the Government and/or individuals supposedly in charge -- WERE TOO SLOW!!!!
Nothing about the response was done fast enough. And most everything was done wrong.

Also today, stories decrying the reckless spending in the wake of the disaster are beginning to surface. The overwhelming opinion seems to be that the Government and/or other individuals in charge -- ARE MOVING TOO FAST!!!! Spending too much too soon and doing most everything wrong. (Shocking analysis, I know.)

Then there are all of the other reports about how we will all be affected economically.

HIGH GAS PRICES!! SOARING COSTS OF CONSUMER GOODS! WE ARE ALL GONNA GO BROKE!!!

Look. We here in the United States have just suffered two consecutive natural disasters of EPIC proportions. Yes, it is going to take time ( years) and money (more than I can wrap my brain around) to rebuild. This will be a colossal task rebuilding homes, infrastructure, economy, and lives. This is a task, however, that we are uniquely suited to do because of the generosity and strength of the American people. This is the stuff that we do best. Everytime.

The key word here, though is rebuild. Notice how I am not talking about a need for endless mental masturbation, discussion and hand wringing over the hows and whys of reconstruction. It simply Must. Be. Done. That's it. Endless examination and discussion does little to help the process along. I do not see General Honore taking meeting after endless meeting *talking* about what might need to be done. His just do it attitude during this firestorm of bureaucratic finger pointing is refreshing to say the least. We need more of his ilk performing and overseeing the reconstruction efforts along the Gulf Coast and less hand wringing and pontificating on Capitol Hill.

Not that I do not think there should be a level of accountability. There should be! (We are talking about people and bureaucacy and the government, for heaven's sake.) But this media fanned pseudo panic over every little (and big) thing is ridiculous! For every cheap political point scored, there are opportunities wasted to really help those who need help. It is silly to think that if there are just enough meetings held and predictions made and a Catastrophe Czar named to head up this new expanse of bureaucracy that there will be no mistakes made. There are going to be screw-ups. We're only human. And it is the govenrment.

And (while I am on my soapbox), would it be too much to ask that those of us relatively unaffected by the destruction just take a minute, calm down and be thankful? Thankful that we have not lost our homes, our lively hood or a loved one. Thankful that while we may take a hit in the wallet, others are having to completely start their lives over again. We are blessed. Let's remember that.

I guess what I am saying is that providing endless examination and criticism is the cheap and easy thing to do. It is time for the hard work of rebuilding to begin. Oh, and before we get too complacent about it all, remember that there remains two more months of Hurricane Season. It's time to cowboy up. We may not be done yet.

Note to the Fox News Correspondents

If you are filming a story about the flooding in New Orleans and you see a dog (or any pet for that matter) struggling to stay above water DO NOT just continue filming and talk about the sorry and sad plight of the dog.

Put down the %*$#ing camera and go try to help save the dog. Stop for a minute watching things happen and help for a change.

That is all.

(Oh, and feel free to share this with your counterparts from other news organizations -- try being the hero for a change. Geraldo doesn't need to be there -- you can do it.)

Questions about Cindy

So the girls asked me 3 questions tonight:

1. Who is Cindy Sheehan?
2. Why was she on the news?
3. And why was she arrested?!

An appropriate response escapes me. (For some unknown reason I just couldn't think of a good way to answer....) Any ideas?

Monday

....oh how I love Monday....

No, really. I do. The girls head off to school and I get to have a moment of quiet. And I get to start putting the house back together after the family's attempt to level the place. (And yes, I know they are not *really* trying to destroy our home -- It just looks like they are.....)

We survived the slumber party fairly intact. Everyone got along, tears were only shed once, and we found the hamster. (By sight and not by smell -- always a good thing).

So today, I am up to my eyeballs once again with household chores. Bleh. I wish there was some sort of points system or prize thingy you could win just by completing all of the stuff that has to get done. Hell, I wish anyone else that lived here gave a crap about doing any of it! But like the old saying goes:

"There's no rest for the wicked and the righteous don't need any...."

I wish I knew which group I was in.... Oh well. Happy Monday anyway.

Fun with quizzes

Your Blog Should Be Yellow

You're a cheerful, upbeat blogger who tends to make everyone laugh. You are a great storyteller, and the first to post the latest funny link. You're also friendly and welcoming to everyone who comments on your blog.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Well, that would be great! Except the color yellow makes me look jaundiced.... Oh well. At least the description is nice! I don't think I will be changing the wall color around here anytime soon though.

h/t LeeAnn

Carnival of the Recipes #58

.....organized using the four elemental states of matter.

Earth, air, fire and water. The deliciousness is everywhere! Triticale has done a great job putting it all together. Go forth and seek new yummy..........

New Happy Birthday Song

...a new verse heard at the slumber party

What's your boyfriend's first name?
What's your boyfriend's first name?

What's your boyfriend's first naaame?
What's your boyfriends first name?

I listened for the responses with interest and heard:

Elvis! SpongeBob! Allen Jackson!

So it appears that we have a little more time before we have to worry about boys that are actually near by.

That's gotta be good news, right? Though SpongeBob perceived as boyfriend material makes me wonder..........

Eleven Years Ago Today....

....I was here.

Enjoying the apex of one of the most thrilling, stressful, gorgeous days of my life.

Today after:
11 Years
2 Kids
2 Dogs
8 States
11 Cities
and
7 Career Changes (3 for me - 4 for him)

I wouldn't change a thing. (Well, maybe a couple of hairstyles -- but nothing major.....)










That day also marks the one and only time I got to be on top of the pyramid!

We had a wonderful party and my groom has yet to ever let me down. Even when my knee is planted firmly in the middle of his back. (See above). Here's to you, Babe. Love ya. Thanks for everything.

Friday

...and I am about to be overrun.

Well 'tis Friday. And all of the peace and quiet is about to be driven from my house. (In a happy way though). Eldest daughter is having her first sleepover ever and I am as prepared as I can be. And I just took some Advil to be ahead of the game. Whoohoo!

Hubby called, and once again Mr. Obvious hit one out of the park:

Him: "Hi! So, so and so wanted to get together tonight and go over some business stuff. I would be pretty late getting home -- did we have anything going on tonight?"

Me (snarkily): "No, nothing. Unless you count the fact that your Grandmother is in town visiting and your daughter is having her first sleepover/birthday party....."

Him: "Oh, you wanted me home for that?"

Me: ***sigh***
------------later----------------

Him: "Honey -- Saturday is our anniversary......"

Me: "Yes."

Him: "Um.... Well, am I supposed to get you anything? You haven't given me any money...."

Me: **sigh**

God knows I love that man........ Now for the record, he took me on a nice vacation last year for our tenth. (The only downside was being in Orlando during Hurricane Jeanne -- seen through the light of this years hurricane woes no big deal). And I told him that he was all good as far as giftage this year was concerned. He cracks me up sometimes, though.

Note to self......

Two of the most frightening words in the english language are: Slumber Party.

Especially when combined with the word: Friday.

.....that is all........

Something I learned this year

I don't like hurricanes. Not one bit.

Stuck on Stupid

All day yesterday we heard about General Honore putting the smackdown on reporters for asking stupid questions.

Male reporter: General, a little bit more about why that's happening this time, though, and did not have that last time...

Honore: You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question. We are going to deal with Rita. This is public information that people are depending on the government to put out. This is the way we've got to do it. So please. I apologize to you, but let's talk about the future. Rita is happening. And right now, we need to get good, clean information out to the people that they can use. And we can have a conversation on the side about the past, in a couple of months.

More wisdom via Maxine.... Somehow I think she and the good General would get along.

Honoring an American Hero

The phrase "better late than never" is certainly appropriate after reading this story.

Meet Mr. Ted Rubin -- soon the be the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor:

When the White House called Corporal Tibor "Ted" Rubin to tell him he was to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor he thought it was one of his friends playing a joke. President Bush has called the 76-year-old Korean War veteran "one of the
greatest Jewish soldiers America has ever known." But Ted is characteristically modest. "I was just a country boy," he told me, "but next week I'll be honored with the country's highest award. This is unbelievable."

The article goes on to describe some of Mr. Rubin's incredible life experiences. Already a holocost survivor, Mr. Rubin emigrated to the United States and joined the Army -- keeping the promise hat he had made to himself when the Mauthausen concentration camp was liberated.

He promised himself that he would show his appreciation to the country that gave him his freedom, and saved his life.

Ted joined the Army in February 1950, and five months later landed in Korea with the 3rd battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, one of the first American units sent to help repel North Korean invasion forces. Ted was soon involved in the fighting withdrawal to the Pusan perimeter. In one engagement near Chirye, Ted's company was redeploying from one hill to another, and he volunteered to stay behind to keep the enemy guessing until the movement was completed. As Corporal Leonard Hamm relates, "the North Koreans, thinking the hill was still occupied by a whole company, made an all out offensive with all their available troops. PFC Tibor Rubin had stocked each foxhole with grenades, and during the attack the following morning made his way running from foxhole to foxhole, lobbing, one after the other, grenades down upon the enemy, he became almost hysterical in his actions but he held the hill."

For this and other actions, Ted's immediate superiors recommended him for the Medal of Honor. However, before the paperwork could be processed these officers were killed, and a sergeant who might have sent the papers up refused to do so because Ted was Jewish. "Not on my watch," he said. After the Inchon invasion, the 8th Cavalry Regiment moved north towards the Chinese border, and was at the forward edge of the U.N. offensive when the Chinese Red Army entered the conflict. Ted's battalion was destroyed at the Battle of Unsan in early November 1950, while fighting a delaying action against Chinese forces swarming south from the Yalu. Hundreds of Americans were captured, among them Ted, who had manned a machine gun to hold off the enemy as the rest of the unit attempted to withdraw.

Ted found himself in the Pukchin POW camp, also known as "Death Valley," and later at Pyoktong, along with hundreds of Americans, Turks, and others. The camps were at first run by the North Koreans, then by the Chinese, whom Ted said treated them slightly better. Nevertheless, life was nightmarish for the prisoners. They were cold and hungry, and disease was rampant. "Healthy men became like babies, helpless," Ted said. "Everything was stink, death, it was terrible, terrible." Thirty to forty a day were dying. "It was hardest on the Americans who were not used to this," Ted said. "But I had a heck of a basic training from the Germans."

It is an amazing story about a true American hero. How incredibly lucky we are to walk amongst men such as these. And on September 23rd he will receive the recognition so very long overdue. Wow, just wow. Thank you, Mr. Tibor. His story is here.

h/t Jason at CounterColumn

Did You Ever??

Have you ever given someone your blessing to pursue something thinking,

"Really, what are the odds anyway? What can it hurt?"

Only later to kinda wish that you hadn't?

And how did it work out? I'm just curious.....

Last Day of Summer

........and it is going to be sunny and 85!

You know, that *never* happens. Summer never makes it all the way to the end only to be instantly replaced by "fall" on the first day of Fall. Never. Happens. But it is happening here, this year. Tomorrow it is supposed to be rainy with a high of 72. Boom. Fall. Just like that.

I like it -- having the seasons just snap into place appeals to my love of planning and lists and schedules. Wouldn't it be neat if this year we could apply the same principles to Winter and Spring? I know that here in WI having a hard date for Winter's end would be most appreciated. For most of us anyway.

Also today, my oldest turns 9. NINE!! Holy crap! She is a full fledged kid now! She announced this morning that she was definitely feeling "much more mature" (her words, btw). Both girls have not just been wanting to cut the apron strings lately -- they have been hacking at them with a machete.

"When can we walk to school by ourselves?" "When can we ride our bikes to Arndt's without you?" "Why can't we just go to the park and meet our friends?"

**Sigh** I am on the cusp of becoming obsolete -- I can feel it! Or at the very least my list of job duties is about to change. (Again.) That's the thing, though -- just when I get really comfortable all of the rules change and I have to learn a new way to play the game. How much leeway do you give and when? How much responsibility? It's a fine line to walk, and it's scary when you think about how they could fall off the line and get hurt.

And I don't know if it just me or if this happens to everyone here but for someone who has never really had to deal with allergies (with the exception of my allergy to Schnapps -- a story for another day) something is polinating or going to seed around here that is kicking my a$$! Seriously! How much Claritin can I take, I wonder.......

Otherwise, we are having a beautiful last day of summer. Hope you are too....

Breakfast G.G. Style

.....the diet can start later....

With Grandma here, one of the first things the girls (and Hubby for that matter) asked for was Wormy Pancakes. You read that right. :) Usually she will just ask you if you want a "Wormy."

The first time my Husband took me to Oklahoma to meet his family I learned several valuable lessons. One being that I was a "Yankee," meaning there were going to be new traditions and words to learn -- some of them at my expense. :) Another was if Grandma wants to fix you something to eat for Heaven's sake let her -- it will be delicious!

That was the lesson I learned that first morning at his grandmother's house (where we were staying). I was informed that she was making one of Hubby's favorite breakfasts -- Wormy Pancakes -- and would I like one?

I politely declined, thinking that the "wormy" part could be literal -- who knew? I had heard about brains and eggs, after all. And I come from a place where Rocky Mountain Oysters are served -- (and no oysters are sacrificed for that recipe). Wormy Pancakes? Well, Hubby wasn't there to ask.... so better to be safe than sorry, right?

The good news is that no worms are a part of the "Wormy Pancake" experience -- that is just the term used by the family to describe one of G.G.'s homemade funnel cakes. And they are delicious! Just for fun, here is the recipe:

Wormy Pancakes
3 C. Flour
3 eggs (lightly beaten)
1 1/2 to 2 cups milk
1 Tbs. Sugar

**In a medium sized skillet heat about 1" to 2" of vegetable oil.
**This will make about 6 plate sized Wormy Pancakes

Beat eggs and mix with 1 1/2 C. of milk. Add to flour and sugar. Add additional milk until the batter is the consistency of cake batter. Once oil is hot, drizzle in batter starting in the middle and adding circle after circle of batter (make sure that they overlap in places) until they your pancake is the desired size. You will need to work fairly quickly.

Once the Wormy Pancake becomes golden on one side, carefully flip the cake in the oil (I use a knife and fork to keep better control) and fry until golden brown. Serve hot with butter and syrup. Or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Hubby likes his with peanut butter and syrup -- to each his own.

So we were all treated to "Wormy's" on Sunday. Breakfast G.G. style indeed.....

How old am I?

....and I always thought I was stuck at 35 (well, at least for the past 15 years...... ) Huh. Well I guess younger is good, right?

According to this poll via Dubious Wonder I am 31!

You Are 31 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

New Harry Potter Trailer

....Yay Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!!

Though I agree with SarahK that the way they portrayed the use of floo powder to talk via fireplaces looks wrong -- lots of other stuff looks really cool. This is gonna be good!

Up to my eyeballs.....

....hopefully things will settle down soon.

In the meantime --- a funny to brighten your day:

Four surgeons are discussing who has the best patients to operate on.

The first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."

"The second responds, "Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is color coded."

The third surgeon says, "No, I really think librarians are the best; everything inside them is in alphabetical order."

But the fourth surgeon shut them all up when he observed: "You're all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There's no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains and no spine, and the head and the ass are interchangeable."

h/t Jaxon :)

I Got Your Okie Right Here!!!

And of course I am referring to Grandma. Not the Sooners. (Holy crappy game, Batman!)

It's gonna be a rough season around here, folks...........

That Pesky Inner Voice

Hey! What are you doing sitting there? You have stuff to do!

Well, I....uh....thought I would take a break and read some blogs..... I have plenty of time, you know.

Time! You don't have any freekin' time! It's almost time to go and get the girls and you have things that you need to get done! Grandma gets here tomorrow, remember?

It will be fine. I can get the rest done tonight!

Oh riiiight. I've heard that before. Who are you trying to kid?

Jeez! Would you get off of my back! I just want to enjoy my last little bit of quiet!

Slacker.

Hey, what did you call me?

You heard me -- Slacker. Slacker. Slacker!!

Shut up! I'm not going to listen to you insult me! ::plugs ears::

Hey Dummy -- I'm in your head, remember? Plugging your ears won't work! Just get to work and I'll shut up!

Fine.
%$&#$&! Conscience. P*sses me off. Hey! Stop pushing already -- I'm going.......... :P

Two points for the conscience -- swish!

Hey, I heard that! %$&#$&! Conscience!

The Carnival of the Recipes #57

Need some yummy new recipes? Jeff at Trub -- The Sediment of Life is hosting the carnival this week. I neglected to get my entry in, but lots of other folks did! Plenty of yummy to be had all within the context of beer. Mmmmmm..... beer.

Friday

It took me a while but I managed to get over yesterday's melancholy start. (Chocolate helps, people. Chocolate helps.)

Today will be spent finishing preparations for Grandma's arrival tomorrow. Hopefully I will have time to get everything I want done, done. But you never know..... and if I don't? Oh well.

So in celebration of Friday (and since I am unable to share the chocolate) here is some sage advice a la Maxine:

Have a nice day!

Brazilian....

Two blondes were reading their daily newspapers and one of them sees a headline that says:

"TWO BRAZILIAN SOLDIERS KILLED"

She thinks for a minute, and then whispers to her friend,"Psssst.....how many is a brazilian?"


**Hey, at least they were reading! :) H/T McP.

Little Blue Flowers

So this morning after dropping off the girls, I stayed in the parking lot for an extra couple of minutes and watched the playground scene come to life. Kids in jackets for the first time this year milling around and playing, reconnecting with friends from yesterday and having a quick run in the newly fallish crisp morning air. A minivan pulled up next to me (complete with the soccerball decal on the rear quarter-panel) and two more kids -- a boy and a girl were dropped off for school.

The girl looked down and spied a lonesome tuft of blue flowers by the curb. She immediately picked one and held it up and out toward her Mom who backed the vehicle away and left without another look.

The boy looked down that the remaining flowers and proceeded to stomp on them before turning and jogging toward the building.

The girl tucked the little flower into her pocket, chased after her brother and they smiled and pushed and teased eachother the until they parted ways and found their friends.

For some reason, it made me sad. Huh.

Corporate Lessons

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

"I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, there he was, proudly perched at the top of the tree.

Soon he was spotted by afarmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Some funny for Wednesday

The Marital Horse Race. Hahahahaha!

Hilarious! But due to some profanity, definitely *not* worksafe. :)

h/t Dave and April

Stupid and Cruel

I'm just saying, anyone who thinks that it is OKAY to make children sleep in CAGES should have to do their time under the same conditions. I can't believe they haven't been brought up on charges yet.

The Gravelles have said a psychiatrist recommended they make the children sleep in the cages, Huron County Prosecutor Russell Leffler (search) told the Norwalk Reflector. The parents also said the children, including some who had mental isorders, needed to be protected from each other, according to court documents.

The Gravelles received a subsidy from the state of at least $500 a month to care for the children.

Ugh. State subsidized child abuse. Lovely.

Company's Coming!

Funny, I just mentioned to Hubby the other day that it was interesting that we hadn't had any company for awhile, for us that's odd.

Note to self -- the universe is listening. Hubby's Grandmother called last night and announced that she was ready for a visit. Could we please find and book her a flight for Saturday.

"This Saturday?" I asked. "That's the one!" Says she.

Ohhhhkaaaay.

So the flight's been booked and I have three days to prepare. She sounds so excited! The girls will be over the moon -- they just love spending time with her and loving her up.

'Course now when they all cuddle up in a chair together you can barely even see the G.G. under all of the little girl parts. See what I mean?

I think we have a picture just like this one taken every time she has come to visit since the girls' were born. You used to see a whole lot more of Grandma when they were little.....

We are definitely in for a good time. :)

Give me a "Life Count," Please

Wise words from Mr. Fulghum :

Though I may live a long, long time I will never ever understand the importance to the media of daily dead body counts. There seems to be a crisis because they cannot yet say exactly how many people died in New Orleans or how that body count compares to the number of deaths in other natural disasters. When we know, will the matter be closed?

How much better I would feel if I knew exactly how many escaped death and injury by an inch or a second and got up and pressed on. That’s what I want to know is possible. Give me a count of those who walked through the fires of hell and lived to tell the tale and looked around for what needed to be done next. And did it.

Count the living, the unbowed, the unbroken, the determined. Give me a life count.

I'd definitely like to see a "life count." But what are the odds that we will? I, for one, will remain optimistic -- there are many stories of heroism and bravery, luck and love, selflessness and kindness, and sheer grit coupled with determination that are sure to come out. Soon, I hope.

The Reason

Dean of Dean's World lays out the Moral Arguments About Iraq. And I agree. Completely.

From my perspective, it is far, far too late to start bringing up questions about funding priorities now, except maybe in the sense of bringing them up if another war is proposed. For this war, the die is cast. Furthermore, there is no denying the truth: if we pull up stakes and abandon those people in Iraq, we will have done something more immoral and more terrible than we ever did by going there in the first place. The power vacuum we would leave behind would result in a crushing blow against human rights. It wouldn't just be a great shame to the United States, it would be a great shame to the entire human race.

Thus those who oppose the continuing effort to democratize and bring human rights to Iraq are going to have to face an unending reality: if they propose abandoning those people, they are going to be hit with moral questions--and angry moral condemnation from those of us who argued from moral grounds all along that this was the right thing to do.

With some moral arguments, there really is no middle ground. I'd like to think there is but there isn't. So my suggestion--as "black and white" as it may sound--is simple: take a stand. Do you want to abandon those people in Iraq or do you not? Do we turn them over to the "freedom fighters" who bomb women and children and mosques and cops and elected politicians as well as our soldiers? Or do we protect the victims of those "freedom fighters," recognizing the "freedom fighters" as vicious fascist thugs and theocratic nutjobs, and try to help the real people, the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people, establish a democratic, human rights respecting, and free nation?

So what do we do?? Read the whole thing . Is there a better solution?

Turning Our Kids into Little Salespeople

.....one fundraiser at a time.

Every year I get more and more frustrated with this stuff. You know the drill, the big envelope or flyer comes home in the backpack -- "Look at all of this super cool stuff, Mom!!" Great. We have another fundraiser on our hands. Oh joy.

There's the Super Overpriced Wrapping Paper Fundraiser "But the wrapping paper is such good quality," they say. Yeah, well, in *my* world gift wrap (even good quality gift wrap) ends up in the trash. Thanks, but no thanks. Then there's the Frozen Cookie Fundraiser, the Magazine Subscription Fundraiser, the Assorted Food Fundraisers (popcorn, chocolate bars, mixed nuts, etc...), the Scented Candle Fundraiser, the Coupon Books - you get the idea. Our school even has a deal where you can buy groceries that get delivered to the school and the school gets a kickback. Amazing! And then there are the fundraisers that make it to your door via the other kids in the neighborhood. Kids whose schools have different fundraisers than yours!
[Well, at least I don't have to worry about the fun stopping as the girls get older. --ed.] Great. Just great.

So the girls bring home not one but two big glossy envelopes on Friday -- the New Fundraiser has hit the school! Two big shiny catalogs filled with "overpriced crap that nobody needs anyway!"

Amaze your friends -- alienate your family! We've got it all right here and the package comes complete with an additional gift of unlimited parental guilt if you choose not to participate because then your child (and rest assured, it will only be *your* child) will not be receiving a PRIZE! And, of course, during the big fundraiser sales pitch -- ahem, I mean "school assembly" -- all of the super, wonderful prizes that could be awarded to your child were described in minute detail. Good luck and happy selling!

Grrrrrrrrr.
Now I realize that fundraisers have been around since God was a boy and many serve their groups well but IMO there is a limit , people! Every year it seems as though the powers that be at our teeny little elementary school decide that more fundraisers are the answer to just about everything! So now I sit here perusing the latest in the fundraiser lineup. The Home Delivery Collection 2005. Big shiny page after page of stuff I don't need and wouldn't want to give away. Triangle shaped pizza plates, and trivets with sheep embossed on them. Stuffed jointed Santas, and Day-Glo colored stationery. The only good news that I can see is that there are whole sections dedicated to mixed nuts, wrapping paper and scented candles. Dare I hope that they are combining some of the other fundraisers into this one?

Look, it's not like I don't do my part, okay? I save the box tops. I take the girls to the damn book fair where they are allowed to pick out 2 books each (this after endless negotiation because there are just as many toys for sale at the book fair as there are books). I volunteer in their classrooms and bring in the occasional snack (not just on birthdays). I always provide something for the "teacher appreciation" breakfast or lunch. I'm there. I get it. I am just NOT going to turn my kids in to mini sales people so that the school can receive .02 percent of the price of some ridiculous candle!

To be honest, I would prefer that they let me be in charge of finding my own "overpriced crap that I don't need." I'm plenty good at it, I promise. And that if they find that they are short of funds for some school function or project they could just send a note home. I would be happy to just cut them the occasional check. I don't need a prize, thanks. Or the crappy fundraiser guilt.

Four Years Later

Today on the 4th anniversary of September 11, 2001 and in the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina I will be remembering the bravery and sacrifices of our first responders.

Thank God for them. Those who run up - while others run down. Those who move toward the devastation - instead of fleeing the destruction. Men like Rick Rescorla, a hero in the truest sense of the word.

And I will pray for our armed forces. That their continued commitment and valor shall continue to keep bright, the light of freedom throughout the world. Amen.

Update: Best 9 - 11 Tribute out there.

Hat tip Mike of Mike's America.

Conflicts

::In best Golf Announcer voice::

Here in Wisconsin the tensions are running high. Today, A. (the youngest) has her first soccer game of the fall season at the exact same time OU plays! Oh, the drama! The conflict! The pull is great -- which love will Hubby choose???

Update: (1:30pm) He chose.... Wisely. Offspring won the toss. (And OU is playing like crap again anyway. *sigh*)

Update #2 (4:30pm) OU won thank God. We can have a little happier week around here....'till next saturday, of course.

Just a thought....

....would it kill the envelope makers of the universe to make the glue on the flap (that you have to lick for heaven's sake) taste like something other than toxic waste? Chocolate? Peppermint? Hell, even bacon flavor would be preferable!

As it is -- Bleh. Paying bills is bad enough! I'm gonna go gargle now.......

Carnival of the Recipes #56

......is up!

Jordana at Curmudgeonry has done a wonderful job putting all of the yummy together. There are several recipes that I plan to try for sure. Go see!

Mommy the Drill Sergeant

It has been difficult this week for the smaller folks in this household to follow directions and I have found myself more often that I care to barking orders over and over and over.

Is it so hard to listen and just put on your shoes.... brush your teeth/hair.... eat.... or what ever?

How about get in the car? Hmmmm?

Me: "Okay ladies it's time to go -- get your backpacks and get in the car...."
Them: ...talking to each other, fiddling with their shoes or hair, playing.....

Me: "Hey Laaaaadies! It's time! Get gathered up and lets get in the car!"
Them: ...talking to each other, fiddling with their shoes or hair, playing.... "Mkay..."

Me: "GIRLS! Lets go! It's time to go!"
Them: ...Still chattering away, fiddling with stuff, playing.....

Me: clapping hands and shouting "IT'S TIME TO GO! LET'S GO GO GO GO GO!!!!!!!!!!!" as I hustle everyone out.

Them: "Jeez, Mom." [as they finally get in the car] "You don't have to shout...........Why didn't you just say it was time to go?"

Me: :^0 What the.....

And people wonder why I enjoy school days.

Funny for Friday

The husband and wife go to a counselor after 15 years of marriage.The counselor asks them what the problem is, and the wife goes into a tirade, listing every problem they have ever had in the 15 years they've been married. She goes on and on and on.

Finally, the counselor gets up, goes around the desk, embraces the woman and kisses her passionately.

The woman shuts up and sits quietly in a daze.

The counselor turns to the husband and says, "That is what your wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do that?"

The husband thinks for a moment and replies, "Well, I can get her here Monday and Wednesday, but Friday I golf."

h/t Dal ;)

I Finally Found it!

In my e-mail today a click through add for Robomaid! Whoohoo! I'm saved! I wonder if I can name him Fernando.........

Happy Birthday Mom!

And as it said on the card I sent:

I'm always using the wisdom and advice you've given me, Mom!

Sometimes I even do it using your voice and mannerisms -- I'm pretty
good!

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots of fun.

I love you, Mom.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

....a little background

Thursday was the day to have lunch at this hotel/restaurant where I worked in Bozeman Montana years ago. That was because it was Chicken Tortilla Soup day and we would have crowds of people for lunch. When asked for the recipe, the Chef would smile slightly and refuse.

It took me a long time but I finally managed to recreate the soup myself at home. And now I know why he would smile..... it is the easiest soup to make *ever* and it all comes out of cans (with the exception of the chicken unless you want to use canned chicken). So here is the recipe:

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

2# Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 large can of chicken broth
2 (14oz) cans of "flavored" diced or crushed tomatoes
1 (19 oz) can of mild enchilada sauce
3 small cans (4 oz) diced green chilies
1 can (11-15 oz) tomato sauce

Cumin, salt and pepper
crushed tortilla chips (this is a great way to use the leftover bits in the bag)
grated cheddar cheese

To prepare: (this recipe fills my crock pot YMMV) Mix chicken broth, enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, and green chilies in a crock pot or largish soup pot. Puree* "flavored" diced or crushed tomatoes (I usually use tomatoes with green pepper and onion) and add to pot. Season chicken** with cumin, salt and pepper cut into bite sized chunks and add. Set crock pot on low and cook 6-8 hours. High 2-3 hours. Stove top bring to boil and simmer 1 hour (or until chicken is done).

To serve: placed crushed tortilla chips in bottom of bowl. Add 1/8 cup grated cheddar cheese ladle in soup and garnish with a pinch of cheese.

*If you like larger chunks of tomato do not puree -- just add.
** For a roasted flavor, season chicken and cook it on the grill before dicing and adding.
***The sky's the limit for additional additions and toppings. Want more heat? And diced jalapenos. Different kinds of cheese (like pepper jack) are yummy. Sour cream on top is good too. Need more veggies? Add rinsed canned black beans or corn. Like I said, you can customize this soup to your own taste really easily. Enjoy!

Filed under "Ugh."

Will Michael Moore turn his cameras on Katrina?

You know, he probably will. What better way to further polarize the nation and make sure that the fires of Bush hatred are stoked.

I wonder, though, if he will include any of the other misjudgements that added to the disaster. Like how the Louisiana state officials denied the Red Cross access to the Superdome with emergency supplies of food and water -- before the floodwaters rose?

From the interview between Hugh Hewitt and Major Garrett:

HH: You just broke a pretty big story. I was watching up on the corner television in my studio, and it's headlined that the Red Cross was blocked from delivering supplies to the Superdome, Major Garrett. Tell us what you found out.

MG: Well, the Red Cross, Hugh, had pre-positioned a literal vanguard of trucks with water, food, blankets and hygiene items. They're not really big into medical response items, but those are the three biggies that we saw people at the New Orleans Superdome, and the convention center, needing most acutely. And all of us in America, I think, reasonably asked ourselves, geez. You know, I watch hurricanes all the time. And I see correspondents standing among rubble and refugees and evacuaees. But I always either see that Red Cross or Salvation Army truck nearby. Why don't I see that?

HH: And the answer is?

MG: The answer is the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security, that is the state agency responsible for that state's homeland security, told the Red Cross explicitly, you cannot come.

Apparently they wanted the people who were trapped there *wanting* to evacuate the city. Well, I think that the State of Louisiana accomplished that crappy goal, don't you? Hmmmm?

So Mikey wants to make another movie -- to speak more (or is it Moore) "truth to power." Think it will be an uplifting story about New Orleans and the Gulf Coast overcoming disaster and rebuilding lives? Or do you 'spoze it will be a convoluted screed about how the greeeeedy and eeeevil Bush administration not only sat back and watched the disaster unfold -- but directly participated in creating Katrina and the aftermath?

Either way, what do you want to bet that he will donate the proceeds of such a movie to Katrina victims? Hmmm?? Fat chance, in my opinion. A very fat chance.

Good News

...finally! We need some today!

An American hostage was rescued in Iraq today by Coalition Forces. He had been held in captivity since Nov. 1, 2004.

The military said Hallums "is in good condition and is receiving medical care." Officials said they also rescued an Iraqi citizen.

Whoohoo! I needed to hear something positive today! Good news. Very good news, indeed.

h/t Donald Sensing

Lots to do...

...and none of it is very fun.

Many in Wisconsin focus on hunting season. For me, the fall brings a completely different sort of season. This is the opening week of "To Do" season.

No excuses -- the kids are in school, the weather is good, no company is on the horizon, the Holidays are months away..... Now is the time to GET STUFF DONE! You know, the extra stuff! The painting. The projects. The organizing. Stuff! Which is not to say that all of your normal "stuff" goes on hiatus. Oh No.

So, in the spirit of "getting stuff done" I started a load of laundry and began compiling my LIST.(A key piece of equipment to get you through "To Do" season). My list looks something like this:


[] Old English Dining Room Furniture
[] Mop and Oil DR floor
[] Groom dogs
[] Steam Clean LR carpet
[] Steam Clean MBR carpet
[] Steam Clean upstairs
[] Prime little bathroom and paint insides of cabinets
[] Prime back hallway
[] Paint little bathroom
[] Paint back hallway
[] Prep little house/craft room for Christmas crafts
[] Re-Organize closet of doom (Doom! I tell you...)
[] Pictures -- organize and label. Put into albums. Fill new collage frames.
(This, BTW, hasn't happened since I was pregnant with A.)
[] Fill in the blank____________. (You know there is more to add....)

Of course the usual stuff needs done too. Today, for example, is ironing day. (Hubby wears a starched white shirt every day for work). Oh joy.

Is is any wonder that I feel more like doing something like this??

And is it just me or does "To Do" season happen to everyone? Hello? ..........Anyone?

**crickets** **crickets** **crickets**

Oh all right -- enough procrastinating. I'm off..........

Signs

....holy moley!

What I saw just now on the way home from the store:

Potatoes
for sale

50# Bag
$7.95

**discount for multiple bags**

What in the world would one do with a 50# bag of potatoes? Unless, of course, you need to feed an army or the football team or something. And multiple bags?? Holy crap Au Gratin!

I guess if I had a still I could make vodka or something..... Mmmmm -- Vodka...... ;)

Damn Yellow Jackets

....it will be nice when we can once again leave the house without being attacked!

I've been stung and K got stung TWICE over the weekend! Sheesh! We have sprayed and set up hornet traps and if that's doing any good I can't tell. They just terrorize us and chase away my hummingbirds! I'm ready for some cooler days and nights -- bring on the fall weather! Down with yellow-jackets! $^&%#^&! things. What good are they anyhow?

I have been waiting....

....and waiting and waiting and waiting.

Bill Whittle is back -- and the essay is Tribes.

(**And yes, Pop, that's the guy who wrote Silent America -- go read.....)

Rough Start

....we took a break from the Katrina coverage yesterday to enjoy the start of College Football.....

We would have probably been better off watching Hurricane destruction. OU lost. Boo. (:-p

Normally, this would have put hubby in a funk for days. This time though, it wasn't so bad! Maybe it was having just witnessed actual tragedy, or maybe he accepted the idea that the team was young and needs more time. I don't know.

What I *do* know is that he took the loss well -- almost in stride! And his chair will live to see another day. He did immediately go and re-play the game on his PS-2. I don't think he would have been able to sleep otherwise.............

(**disclaimer** I'm an Okie by marriage -- so the after effects of an Oklahoma loss are not as pronounced. I do feel bad though! Promise!)

Once Again

Varifrank says it waaaay better than I ever could.

Stop looking for someone to blame and start looking for a way to help, were full up on critics at the moment we could use a few more “backs” in the process of getting these people out.

This is not anyone’s fault; this is simply beyond comprehension. We might have talked about it in academic exercises, but no one in the United States has ever seen anything like this. It doesn’t help anyone get out of there to waste your time on that fruitless exercise of trying to blame anyone for this.

We have no time to waste on such fecklessness. People are dying and more are going to die soon if we don’t get those people out of there quickly.

I have been up to my eyeballs listening to all of the finger pointing and blame going around while there are still people to be rescued and bodies to recover. Our first responsibility, IMO is to get our shit together and get people safe and the situation rectified before we start trying to nit-pick every little detail concerning the process. Frank, like I said, says it way better than me though. And I recommend you read the whole thing.

Some fun for Friday

I got this in an email and it is super cool. I have no idea why it works but it does!

Mind reader . Just click the guy on the lower right as you answer the questions.... Have fun!

One Happy Dog

....has the funny!

Really, go read her post What I want in a Man. Hahahahaha!

Blogging for Katrina Relief

This is just a little Blog so I'll leave the heavy hitting to the experts.

Instapundit has the comprehensive list of charities and links if you just want to see what is available.

And Blackfive has two very worthy charities (IMO) listed:

**Soldiers' Angels Operation Katrina Soldiers Relief Fund -- to provide assistance to those soldiers returning from active duty facing a disaster here at home.

**And Episcopal Relief & Development where you can donate by credit card online or mail a donation to:

Episcopal Relief & Development
c/o U.S. Hurricane Fund
PO Box 12043 Newark, NJ 07101

Shhhhhhh....

You hear that? Me either. It's the first day of school and all is quiet at my house. Finally. Quiet. :)