Interview...

For a job. I have one on Friday.

I have been looking for something part time and flexible that would boost our bottom line, fit in with both the Hubby's and the Girl's schedules, and not make me crazy and/or totally sleep deprived. Oh, and I wanted to find something that makes me feel as though I am making a positive contribution to the community.

Sounds impossible, no?? Yeah - I thought so too. And then I started looking into this. (There was a link - and then I thought better of it. If you want to see, drop me a line...) Basically it's a company that provides caregivers for seniors who are still able to live at home - they just need a bit of assistance.

Hmmmmm... This might just be the fit I am looking for. The interview is scheduled for Friday - and I will be interviewing *them* as much as they are interviewing *me.* This should be interesting...

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

And James Lileks sums up the weather perfectly...

It is cold beyond reason. The widget says ten below (interesting how it’s not what the news says, or the thermometer says, but the widget) but that doesn’t quite seem adequate. More liken 9348534 below, thanks to the wind. It’s not one of those big gusty winds, either; it’s a personal wind, a thing that leaps from around corners and stabs you in the face. It’s a maniac.

No school today. I think we are going to just stay home and maybe bake something... While thinking tropical thoughts. Yeah... that will do it...

Uh oh...

They closed school preemptively today.

Crap.

I mean, I knew a winter storm was coming, and it was going to snow a bunch (again) and get really really cold (again) but dayum...

This doesn't bode very well, does it...

So far just wind and rain and frozen pellet crap but we shall see. I wish it would just be Spring already.

I wasn't tagged - but whatever... 88!!

There's got to be some benefit to being a Bad Example Clan Member, right? So I am stealing Harvey's movie list thingy to see if I have more or less of a "life" than he does...

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

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 movies, you have no life.

Mark the ones you've seen. Copy this list, check the movies you've seen, add them up, and include the number in your post title.
----------------------

(x)Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
( )Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
() Boondock Saints
() Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
() Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
() Meet the Fockers
() Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
() KING KONG
Total so far: 11

() A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
() Halloween
() The Ring
() The Ring 2
() Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 14

(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From Hell
() Hellboy
() Secret Window
() I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 18

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
() Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
() The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 25

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
() Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
() Predator II
() The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 32

(x) Independence Day
() Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
() War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 39

() Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
() Calendar Girls
() Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks!
() Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
() Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
() The Terminator 3
Total so far: 47

(x) X-Men
(x) X2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
(x) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
(x) Shrek 3
Total so far: 61

() Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
() Old School
() The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
(x) Kippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
() The 40-year-old-virgin
Total so far: 66

() Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
() Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
() Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 69

() Baseketball
() Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
() Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 72

() The Jacket
() Kung Fu Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Shaun Of the Dead
() Willard
Total so far: 75

() High Tension
() Club Dread
() Hulk
(x) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
() 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
(x ) Waterworld
Total so far: 79

() Kill Bill vol 1
() Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
() The Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
() Army of Darkness
Total so far: 79

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
() Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
() Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 83

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
(x) Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
() Hannibal

Final total: 88

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

Funny thing - I have a lot of favorite movies that weren't even on the list!! No Harry Potter?? C'mon! Where is Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Armageddon, The Rock, No James Bond??? Fried Green Tomatoes, Dreamgirls, Mystery Alaska, Top Gun, Steel Magnolias, Back to the Future I II III, Fantastic Four, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, A Knight's Tale, Casino Royale?? Not a very comprehensive list, if you ask me. But then really, I have no life and I like movies. So there's that.

Now if you are looking for something to watch, Teresa recently recommended that we watch The Dish. It was freekin' hysterical! And it really brought to life the expectations and feelings from that time in history. A great film, if you have the time.

I am not tagging anyone, but drop me a comment if you'd like to play along. I am hoping I am not alone in my "life"lessness...

Quiet Day

That's it. Really.

Not necessarily a bad thing...

Oh yeah...

I can relate to this on MANY levels. Especially since the heater in my rig went tits up yesterday. Forty minutes of driving when it is -12?? Not fun. Better than walking, but still not fun.

Fortunately, they got my car into the shop this morning and it is under warranty. Warmer is better for sure. And "defrost" is not an optional thing to have in your arsenal when trying to get from point A to point B in this weather. Just sayin'...

Happy Friday, y'all - stay warm!

h/t Loretta & Dal

Nine Below...

Not to be mistaken with Eight Below - a movie that you should never see unless you want to spend a couple of hours crying. Seriously.

But that's where we are. Nine below. Even if you are used to living up here, that's dang cold. Take your breath away cold. Definitely drive the kids to the bus stop cold. And so much for sledding this afternoon cold.

I need more fuzzy socks.

Update 7:15am: Oh NOW I know why it's so cold - Hell must have frozen over. Sporta just came down and announced that it is spirit day at school and she has to wear pink. Sporta is willingly wearing pink to school. Oh yeah - the devil is coooooold today.

Super!

Just because I have *NOTHING* bloggable today. Seriously. It's cold, it's gray, it's snowing and there are socks to match. That's about it.

The TV is all over the death of a young and handsome actor, the blitherings and attacks our *own* political candidates are flinging at each other like so much poo, news of yet another school shooter, and more chicken little "The DOW is falling!! The DOW is falling!! Aiieeeee!!!" economy woes. It's all bad news all the time and I am sick to death of it.

Really.

So in goes a movie and I am going to match socks. There is something comforting in that task though I can't quite figure out what. Anyhoo, on to today's filler content. Because really, wouldn't we all like to be a Super Hero?? I always wanted to be Wonder Woman, personally. But this will do...

Your Superpower Should Be Mind Reading

You are brilliant, insightful, and intuitive. You understand people better than they would like to be understood. Highly sensitive, you are good at putting together seemingly irrelevant details. You figure out what's going on before anyone knows that anything is going on! Why you would be a good superhero: You don't care what people think, and you'd do whatever needed to be done Your biggest problem as a superhero: Feeling even more isolated than you do now

What Should Your Superpower Be?

Pretty cool, I guess. But I still would like to have the bullet proof bracelet skillz and magic lasso - just sayin'...

Happy Chilly Trails...

Heh. Little Miss Molly had to be a path buster this morning - a feat made none to easy given the face that she's.... uh.... a bit vertically challenged.

Fortunately, she had just the spot to pounce afterward and get warm...



Even Taylor, The Grand Dame, got into the act...

What?? Blue Dog Snowy Face iz mah Winter Goddess name... You shouldz try it!

Heh. I don't think so...

Well, that's it then....

It's time for Spring to be here.

The Packers lost their chance to go to the Superbowl yesterday - effectively taking the last bits of Wisconsin winter joy with them. Christmas is long gone, and everybody is sick of the cold.

So naturally today dawned gray, below zero, and with a forecast calling for 6 to 8 inches of snow.

Goody.

I may just go back to bed...

Mmmmmm.... Chocolate!

Via Roses - who I get to have lunch with today. Yay!

You are White Chocolate

You are White Chocolate You are sweet, caring, and truly very innocent. Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not, people like to take care of you. You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated!

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

Maybe we can even save room for a little dessert! Happy Friday, y'all!

Hey! What the heck is that SMELL???

Gah!

Well, around here these days invariably it's emanating from this deceptively sweet looking puppy.


You know, when you adopt dogs from shelters you never really know the entire background of the animal. You can guess at parentage, how big they might get, age, experience, but you never really KNOW. And let's face it - they're not talking... But I feel absolutely confident that Little Miss Molly is a direct descendant of this famous canine...
She farts when she's happy to see you!

She farts when she is relaxed.

She farts when startled.

When feeling playful.

When asleep.

Inside.

Outside.

Upside.

Downside.

And especially while laying at your feet.

Pffeeeewwwww!

Good God almighty - I had no idea such a sweet little doggie mushy mushy boo face could be so full of noxious fumes! Would a cork be a bad idea?

Yeah - I think so too... But don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. More than a few times. In the last hour...

Maybe I should just invest in nose plugs. You think??

Time to go!

Because it's Tuesday, and there is not a *thing* going on around here. So I am going to think about flying away. It does a body good, you know?

Your Travel Profile:

You Are Well Traveled in the Midwestern United States (50%) You Are Well Traveled in the Western United States (47%) You Are Well Traveled in the Southern United States (46%) You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%) You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%) You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%) You Are Untraveled in Canada (0%) You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%) You Are Untraveled in Latin America (0%) You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%) You Are Untraveled in Scandinavia (0%) You Are Untraveled in Southern Europe (0%) You Are Untraveled in Western Europe (0%) You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%) You Are Untraveled in the Northeastern United States (0%) You Are Untraveled in the United Kingdom (0%)

How Well Traveled Are You?

Obviously, I need to get out of the US. Time for a trip I think... Something Tropical...

First concert...

Well, the girls are on cloud nine today. WxMan was happy to indoctrinate them in the ways and means of "The Rock Concert." Me?? I was happy to stay home...

According to Sporta and Computa - Hanna Montana / Miley Cyrus rocks.







And even WxMan who has seen The Who, The Stones, Elton John, Guns and Roses, Motley Crue, Journey, etc... was pretty impressed with the show. And the tickets were free. Doesn't get any better than that.

Oh yes it does! I got a quiet evening to myself... Nice way to start the week, huh?

Another conversation I *never* thought I'd have...

...with my husband. Really. Last week he came home with this announcement:

WxMan: Hey Babe?? I need high heels to wear to work on Saturday. Could you help me out with that?

Me: ... Uh.... Okay. Special occasion?? Or are you just not feeling pretty these days?? Do we need to talk??

WxMan: Oh, C'mon. I just need them for the morning meeting. My people met some goals I had set and this is what they wanted...

Me: Seriously?? Maybe we should work on the choices you give to people. What were you thinking??

WxMan: They came up with this, Babe. Not me. I just agreed to it.

Me: Ah. Well nothing in *my* closet is going to work for you. We can go check Payless later and see what's what. If you go with an open toe though you are going to need to polish those toes...

WxMan: Yeah well, THAT'S not happening.

Me: Uh huh - like I ever thought I'd be taking my husband shopping for heels to wear to work...

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

So there you go - off he went this morning with his three inch patent leather (black) pumps in hand. I cannot wait to hear how this worked out. Having tried them on, he declared

"Hey, these don't feel too bad! This is going to be a breeze!!"

Yeah, we'll see what he says after a couple of hours in them. And I will bet you a dollar that somebody challenges him to a foot race. I just hope I don't have to explain any injuries to an ER doc... Heh.

ROFLMAO

Seriously.

Crystal has tales (tails??) of basset hound love and racing. Go see - you won't regret it. Heheheheheeee!!!

Mmmmmm....

Cheesecake.

You Are a Chocolate Cheesecake

Rich and greedy, you're attracted to the dark side of life. Nothing ever quite satisfies your inner beast. And somehow, people find that sexy.

What Kind of Cheesecake Are You?

Well, my name is "Rich" but I don't think I'm at all greedy. I would sooooo eat that though.

Aw... c'mon. It's Friday. And Cheesecake is nice to think about! Happy Friday!

Puttering...

That's what's on tap for me today.

Now that all of the Christmas is put away, I want to get storage areas organized and FUNCTIONAL. It makes me absolutely batty to not be able to find things immediately upon needing then. Drives.me.bonkers. I have been told that it is something to behold when I am in "the zone" and looking for something important. (Even if it is only important to me.)

So I plan to tackle the "closet of doom" today along with the hall closet (where we actually hang coats). Soon to follow will be:

• The Master Closet - it is in *serious* need of an overhaul
• The guest room closet - where all of the extra office stuff got shoved when we moved
• The kitchen cabinets - I am *still* not happy with placement there
• Every single bookshelf in this house - things just need to be in their proper place
• The storage room in the basement is in pretty good shape - but could still use some work
• The Garage. Holy crap - that's going to be a weekend. But I will wait until it is warm out

Maybe I should take pictures.

Speaking of pictures, I have a few of those I need to find homes for. I managed to get some unframed artwork framed yesterday and I am well pleased with the results. I have the perfect spot for this one...


It's going to hang in the kitchen.

It's this one that I am struggling to find placement for...


It's beautiful and I just love it. I want to ensure that it is placed somewhere where it can be most enjoyed. Hmmm...

I am sure something will come to me. There's got to be a spot...

Anyhoo, I am off. If you don't hear from me in the next day or two please send someone to the closet of doom to pull me out. I am probably wedged between the vacuum and the dog food. Thanks.

Hands and Feet

Palmistry, shmalmistry - this sounds okay...

What Your Hands Say About You

You are logical, analytical, and rational. You have good verbal skills. Idealistic and dreamy, you tend toward the impractical. You have a knack for getting yourself in sticky situations. Consistent and reliable, you like to count on structure and routine in your life. Your emotions tend to be nervous and potent. Your energy - both positive and negative - deeply impacts your life.

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

And the Feet?

via Roses

You are Barefoot!

You're a total free spirit, go with the flow girl You can't be restricted by shoes for very long And unsurprisingly, the same goes for men Your match is out there - and he's as carefree as you are

What Kind Of Women's Shoe Are You?

Either way, I am going to use my hands and feet and keep busy today. AWAY from all of the political posturing. Gah... I am completely SICK of *all* of the presidential candidates and the election is eleven months away!!! This is not a good sign.

Holy crap.

I just flipped off the TV.

::gave it the BIRD::

Okay, so technically I flipped off the person *on* TV. sigh Yeah - *that's* effective.

Not.

Time for bed.

Dreams just need to stay away.... (Unless they involve calypso music and mojitos, of course.)

Shit. Just flipped it off again. Definitely going to bed. Gah...

Yellow light...

Heh. That 1 Guy asked a question last night.

Is anybody else overly anal about their written tests... at the DMV?

To which I answered, "Yeah - and then I remember the Reverend Jim taking *his* test. And I feel better..."

One of the funniest bits EVER!


Good luck at the DMV, T1G!! I am sure you'll be fine!

Rough Night

I dream.

I dream vividly.

And more often than I care to admit - my dreams are nightmares. That's why I never watch horror movies - my subconscious can come up with horrors that would make a Hollywood producer wince. And I don't need to feed my *own* imagination with more frightening imagery. I have plenty apparently...

And last night was a doozy. Very clear, very formulaic, long and awful. I dont' know what precipitated this one, or what was UP with my subconscious but I saw things that no mother should see... Over and over and over again.

I need a good brain cleansing. And a double shot of happiness this morning. Or if nothing else, just need those damn images to go away... I hate it when that happens...

Take down...

Yup - it's time. Christmas decor has been up long enough. And since it is 55 degrees outside it *feels* like the season should be over. So there's that.

I usually dread packing up Christmas. The house just feels kind of sad and empty without the greens and lights - but this year?? I dunno.... I am ready to be done. I am feeling a real need to de-clutter and reorganize.

Is it too early for spring cleaning? We shall see...

Little bites of heaven...

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts


Seriously - they sound kind of weird, but Mom made them often during this last visit and they are a most simple and delicious hors d'oeuvre... Here is the recipe:

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

3 cans whole Water Chestnuts
1 pkg bacon
soy sauce
brown sugar

Drain the water chestnuts and marinate in enough soy sauce to dang near cover them - at least two hours or overnight. Cut the package of bacon into thirds - Each third of a slice will wrap one water chestnut. Roll each water chestnut in brown sugar, wrap with bacon and secure with a tooth pick. Place on a foil lined baking sheet (like a jelly roll pan - you need it to have edges) and bake at 375 for an hour. More if they need a bit of crisping up. Turn them halfway through baking.

The key for success and easy clean up is to triple or even quadruple line your pan with foil. Seriously. Or you will be soaking and scrubbing for a loooooong time.

And if you plan to make them - make sure you have people coming over. They are totally addictive. Fortunately, I had a plan to share...

Yesterday, I was fortunate to be invited by TNT to enjoy a Spa Experience with the illustrious Tammi and delightful Ktreva. As I had never been to any kind of spa - and being almost completely in the dark about what "treatments" are all about I was very pleasantly surprised! And oh do my toes look pretty!

Afterwards, I invited the girls to my place for a little "post spa day" luncheon and I served them these little guys (other stuff too - but these were *very* popular). Yummy!

Nothing like some bacon wrapped goodness to complete the pampered experience. Topped off by oodles and scads of champaign and a whole lotta laughter and some viciously competitive Wii play? A more relaxed day I could not imagine.

And everything is better with bacon, right? Oh yeah....

For lack of anything else to blog...

More cute Doggie pictures!

You can almost hear her sigh, can't you??

Jeez Mom - do you HAVE to put stuff on my head??

And little Miss Molly didn't escape the "fun" either. Heh...

I am the cutest EVAH!

And doesn't she look like the Grinch's puppy?? I think so... Both puppies went to the groomer today, so they even smell good! It freaked Ms. Molly out a bit to be put in a crate and left with a stranger so she is sticking to me like glue this afternoon.

But never have I seen a dog so ecstatic to come HOME. I think she gets it now - she's a keeper. (So long as I can occasionally put silly things on her head and take her picture, of course.)

Like I said - not much going on today. And really?? That's okay.

Well, there you have it.

The Holidays are officially over around here.

My folks headed home to Wyoming this morning - hoping they timed their window between winter storms just right. (South Dakota can be a real bear...)

The girls have school today. They weren't overly excited about that - but *I* was. Heh.

WxMan is off to slay a dragon of sorts. Best way to prepare for the Big Game tonight - Go Sooners!

And me?? Well, I don't know what exactly I am going to do today. I am open to suggestions though...

Hmmmm... Wednesday never felt so good!