Harelipfrog

Hello again!

2009-02-08T16:48:00.002-06:00

Another week has passed, and I hope you are all doing well.

I'm managing to keep on top of school and work. I mostly have my face back again (had a bout of Bell's Palsy beginning in December) and I am feeling pretty good.

School is interesting, I have yet to purchase the book for my Music Appreciation class and so far I have an A. I am tempted to see how long I can go without it, but will likely get it picked up this week. I have done quite well in my basic general education classes and would like to keep it that way.

So far this semester:
Music Appreciation: A (waiting on grades for two submitted items)
Visual Basic: A (all submitted items graded)
Web Page Applications: A (waiting on grades for one submitted item)

Woo Hoo!

Bras ... again

2009-02-01T21:57:00.002-06:00

My original post may be referenced HERE.

I have had a number of people drop by my site looking for bra information because of my original post from 2006. Apparently it is still high on the search engine results.

I found out something great for the large, yet not quite ridiculous, ladies out there. If you want to shop off the rack, I know that Lane Bryants Cacique bras have started being availabe in the larger cup sizes (up to an H with some models)in the stores.

Keep in mind that different bras will fit differently (I have had some bras that were supposedly in my size not fit at all).

Good Luck and any bra news is welcome!

We busty chicks gotta stick together.

Yeah Danielle!

2009-02-01T11:13:00.002-06:00

My sister-in-law Danielle found the track I was looking for, By The Waters of Babylon by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrini. It's a good quaility copy.

Apparently I needed to look for it by "Super flumina Babylonis"

Here is the LINK.

Music Appreciation 1030

2009-01-25T18:21:00.002-06:00

Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina

I listened to a piece of music written by this composer entitled "By the Waters of Babylon". It was written after the death of his first wife. It is incredibly beautiful and sorrowful.

Unfortunately I am unable to find a decent recording of it online. What I listened to as part of class was a portion of an NPR recording that had to have been from the late seventies or early eights as the quality was incredibly poor. I will have to find it on CD.

A new semester

2009-01-10T21:07:00.002-06:00

Finished enrollment for this semester, and I am taking ...

Visual Basic programing (again-another casualty of last spring)
Music appreciation (a humanities requirement)
Web Design - this is a more advanced class than my earlier one, I will be learning about Frontpage, Flash, and Fireworks.

It looks like it will be an interesting semester.

Gunner is taking 4 classes this semester

Professional Communications - this is the last upper level English course availabe thru RODP and he needed one more
UNIV - this is a final project for his degree
Foreign Service - a history of the foreign service
I've forgotten the other class (will post it later)

If all goes well, Gunner will graduate in May. He should begin his Masters work this fall. Whee!

By the way, my cold is better, and so is my face. :)

Ugh

2008-12-28T13:08:00.000-06:00

I hab a cold.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-28T00:57:00.002-06:00

I have had a really nice Christmas this year.

I got to see everyone, both of my youngest sisters as well as my brother were able to come home for the holiday. All of the kids are growing so quickly.

It's one in the morning on (now) Sunday, so I will write more later.

It was really nice to see everyone.

Woo Hoo!

2008-12-08T19:34:00.001-06:00

I have a B in my math class! Whee, just got done with my final and figured my score. Definately a B.

I also have a B in my sociology class.

I just have to wait on my Microsoft Office class. I'm probably going to get a C in that class. It just boggles my poor mind. I work with it everyday and that is the best I can pull. It's just silly.

Leaves

2008-11-10T10:25:00.003-06:00

When I walked out of the house this morning, the leaves were falling out of the trees in my front yard. It looked like something out of a screensaver, leaves just drifting out of the trees.

Lovely

Now my gutters are full of leaves. :)

I Voted!

2008-11-04T19:19:00.006-06:00

Did you?

PS.
I removed the map, it was getting kind of screwy.

I'm fine

2008-10-27T22:58:00.002-05:00

It's not a really good picture of me, but one that Gunner took while I was working on my homework.

I promise I have not forgotten you and I have not fallen off the edge of the world or anything like that, just insanely busy.

If it's not one thing, it's something else. However I am doing pretty well. It's the middle of the semester, and so far everything is looking good. I'll be sweating it until the end of the very end though.

Gunner is working furiously on his plans for world domination (ha ha).

Jim is home briefly before reporting to Fort Hood Texas, and the rest of the In-Laws are good.

What is wrong with this picture?

2008-09-24T17:50:00.003-05:00

I am happy, I suppose, that Clay Aiken is comfortable enough with himself to "come out" but I really don't think that it is more important that the current financial situation.

It makes me wonder where people's priorities lie.

Long time, No See

2008-09-14T19:56:00.002-05:00

LIfe is good and busy. I've been doing Ok, plugging away at school and so on.

Gunner is doing well, and with a little bit of luck will graduate with his bachelors degree in May. :)

I'm taking three classes this semester, including Algebra (again). My surgery in February derailed my efforts in that direction and I wound up only passing the one class this spring. I am going to make sure that this is the last semester I have to take this. I hate math.

Aside from the Algebra class, I am taking Sociology and an Office 2007 class.

A Letter

2008-05-27T22:33:00.003-05:00

Jeanne (MIL) got a letter (and a phone call) from Jim (finally). He says he's doing ok, spent the first two days standing in line, and his first real day of bootcamp did more pushups because of someone else than he had done his whole life.

Gunner is planning on sending him a copy of "Skippy's Rules" all 213 of them.

A couple of my personal favorites ...

Not allowed to chew gum at formation, unless I brought enough for everybody.

(Next day) Not allowed to chew gum at formation even if I *did* bring enough for everybody.

Camouflage body paint is not a uniform.

Woad is not camouflage makeup.

May not conduct psychological experiments on my chain of command.

Must not use military vehicles to 'Squish' things.

If the thought of something makes me giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I am to assume that I am not allowed to do it. (This one has become a part of a family gag and now applies to Gunner)

2008-05-12T20:18:00.002-05:00

My brother0in-law belongs to the army now. We dropped him off this afternoon. We'll see him again in 10 weeks.

Mom

2008-05-11T17:02:00.005-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all my moms!

Some of these pictures are kind of old, but only because I did not have something more recent on my computer (sorry).

Something Different

2008-05-08T21:26:00.002-05:00

I like finding out how things work.

The Secret Life of Machines is a defunct show I encountered some time ago on BBC (I think). I recently found a link to a website where all the shows are hosted (some I had never seen).

The Secret Life of Machines

and here is a link to the website of the person who did the shows, Tim Hunkin.

Enjoy!

Today - May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

2008-05-05T21:21:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Adam!
Hugs!

The Top 5 Things I am happy about today ...

1. My family (wherever you happen to be)
2. The semester is over. (cheers!)
3. I actually managed to pass a class. (even if it was only one out of three)
4. My pain is gone, even though I am still stiff, I am a lot better.
5. I am through with Monday for this week. I am also working a short week as I am taking Friday off.

Hugs!

Poetry

2008-05-03T18:46:00.001-05:00

I do have a "thing" for poetry. So it will crop up from time to time.

Herb Garden

2008-05-03T18:23:00.001-05:00

by Timothy Steele

The lizard, an exemplar of the small,
Spreads fine, adhesive digits to perform
Vertical push-ups on a sunny wall;
Bees grapple spikes of lavender, or swarm
The dill’s gold umbels and low clumps of thyme.
Bored with its trellis, a resourceful rose
Has found a nearby cedar tree to climb
And to festoon with floral furbelows.

Though the great, heat-stunned sunflower looks half-dead
The way it, shepherd’s crook-like, hangs its head,
The herbs maintain their modest self-command:
Their fragrances and colors warmly mix
While, quarrying between the pathway’s bricks,
Ants build minute volcanoes out of sand.

"Herb Garden" from Toward the Winter Solstice (Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, 2006, www.ohioswallow.com).

Update - Life

2008-05-03T17:56:00.002-05:00

This has been a difficult semester, with having surgery and all, however I have managed to pass one of my classes. Hurrah! I really hope to never have to go through this again, but barring that, a long long time before I have to consider back surgery again. It was profoundly difficult.

You may remember that my MIL had a hip replacement last summer (she is still recovering) well as a result, she is now three inches taller than she was (it has to do with how compressed the joint was).

Looks like Gunner is going to finish this semester very well, of the three grades he has gotten back so far he two As and one B. He is also back to having knee problems.

My sister's husband's mother passed away a little over two weeks ago.

My BIL Jim has joined the army and will be reporting for basic training on May 13.

My SIL Anne is working as a Med/Surg nurse and loving it. She is also considering going into the military.

And me? Same old stuff, just trying to make it from one day to another. Sometimes it is easier said than done.

Happy Birthday To ME!

2008-04-14T17:39:00.001-05:00

This is really cute

Happy Birthday

2008-03-30T22:47:00.007-05:00

Happy Birthday (March 31) to my favorite little brother!

Respect

2008-03-17T23:34:00.003-05:00

Wow

I can respect this man, and with all the problems the LA police department has had they need more like him.

Unfortunately this video is no longer available. I'll check later to see if I can find another link.

Status

2008-03-16T23:00:00.002-05:00

I was looking over things to see where I was at regarding school work. My VB class I have one piece of homework that will be submitted late and my Web Design class is the same (with one test to make up).

I am so far behind on Algebra I don't know what I am going to do if I can't catch it up this week.

Oh well, life goes on.

Whinning

2008-03-07T19:14:00.002-06:00

Sorry,

I was looking over my last few posts, and I have begun to only post when I have something to complain about.

In reality, things are going quite well. My surgery went very well, and aside from getting the flu while recovering it has been uneventful. My back feels a lot better, and my leg does not hurt at all any more. (Wheee!)

My employer has been profoundly patient, as have been my college instructors.

I'll admit to looking forward to taking the summer off from school, I will be preping for CLEP tests instead, and a little bit of down time. The addition of classes to my schedule has been somewhat stressful. I am planning on CLEPing English, History, Humanities, and perhaps Sociology (29 hours or so of classes).

I also appreciate all of you who drop by and listen to me complain and have been so supportive. I love all of you!

Huggs!

Tears - Lizette Woodworth Reese

2008-03-02T15:06:00.003-06:00

When I consider Life and its few years --
A wisp of fog betwixt us and the sun;
A call to battle, and the battle done
Ere the last echo dies within our ears;
A rose choked in the grass; an hour of fears;
The gusts that past a darkening shore do beat;
The burst of music down an unlistening street, --

I wonder at the idleness of tears.
Ye old, old dead, and ye of yesternight,
Chieftains, and bards, and keepers of the sheep,
By every cup of sorrow that you had,
Loose me from tears, and make me see aright
How each hath back what once he stayed to weep:
Homer his sight, David his little lad!

Da Flu

2008-02-29T18:40:00.002-06:00

I gots da flu

I wanna die ... or at least not have to go back to the bathroom until it has been sterilized by a flame thrower.

Ick!

surgery over

2008-02-08T18:02:00.000-06:00

Elizabeth's surgery is over and all is well. She states that her back hurts from the surgery, but the pain from the nerve and disc is gone.

she will be at her mom's for the next three days as her mom is a nurse and could recognize earlier possible complications much better then I could.

Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone.

Scared

2008-02-07T18:48:00.000-06:00

I typed that one word and about started crying.

I am having surgery in the morning to correct a herniated disk with a segment of material that has broken off and is pressing on the nerves. I have been having pain from this for some time and it has kept me from doing things that I would like to have done. The pain today has been almost unbearable and I tried taking more pills than I should have to try and bring it under control. No dice.

I am lying here on my stomach using Gunner's computer as it is currently about the most comfortable position I can be in right now.

I have done everything I can about this, the doc is first rate, the proposed operation is very conservative, and my family is going to be there for me.

But I have reached the point where the results will not depend on me, but on others and that just scares me to death.

I have 12 hours and 30 minutes before I have to be at the hospital.

Wish Me Luck.

Homage to the Potato Chip and Oreos

2007-12-21T20:46:00.001-06:00

Crispy and Golden
Salty and delicious
Nothing beats a simple plain potato chip for just good fattening salty happiness.

And when combined with Oreo's crispy chocolate cookie and creamy filling, the two of them fit the bill when the desire is for a nice balanced taste sensation.

Which I am enjoying with a DIET DR PEPPER!
Ha ha!

Vacation!

2007-09-25T13:44:00.000-05:00

How much longer?

Dear UPS

2007-09-04T18:22:00.000-05:00

Thank you for taking such good care of the packages in your charge. I realize just how difficult it is to climb the three steps to my porch to tuck my package behind the storm door where it would not be exposed to the weather(like USPS did last week)AND RAIN. I appreciate the care with which you apparently tossed my delivery on the porch and went on your way.

PostSecret

2007-08-12T22:01:00.000-05:00

postsecret.blogspot.com

Nancy - The Mammogram Tech from Hell

2007-08-08T15:03:00.000-05:00

I had my annual mammogram done this morning.

I sent this note to Stonecrest this afternoon.

Womens Imaging - Mammogram - Technician Nancy

I wish to make you aware of my concerns regarding your women's imaging
technician Nancy (she did not give her last name).

Permit me to give you my point of reference:
I had a mammogram last year at your facility with another technician (whose name I did not, unfortunately, get). She was friendly, and made me feel comfortable. She was careful about positioning so that she would get the best view of the breast tissue while not causing me undue pain. Her manner was courteous and respectful of my physical privacy. I have since recommended your facility as an excellent place to get this done at.

That will be changing after today.

A proceedure that should have taken about 30 minutes, took at least an hour. She positioned and poked and squeezed to the point of involuntary exclamations of pain. She drove the corner of the plate into my armpit to the point that my arm went numb several times. She would not allow me to cover the breast that was not being screened.

I don't like my breasts and particularly don't like to leave them hanging out like that. Additionally wrapping the cape around the unscreened breast would have facilitated moving it, instead of having it cling to the plate like it did.

I can only assume that she does not know how a mammogram machine works as she kept muttering about (insert item of anatomy out of the field - chin, arm, cape) showing up on the x-ray.

I have large breasts, and I am a fat woman. But that does not mean you have to make this kind of proceedure so emotionally and physically painful.

I am not writing off the entire imaging staff at Stonecrest, just Nancy. If you get her, be on the safe side, ask for someone else.

Oscar the Cat

2007-07-26T17:03:00.000-05:00

How often am I going to have the opportunity (or rather a reason) to link to the New England Journal of Medicine?

Not very freakin' often.

Go read about Oscar the Cat.

Since he was adopted by staff members as a kitten, Oscar the Cat has had an uncanny ability to predict when residents are about to die. Thus far, he has presided over the deaths of more than 25 residents [my note - over two years] on the third floor of Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. His mere presence at the bedside is viewed by physicians and nursing home staff as an almost absolute indicator of impending death, allowing staff members to adequately notify families. Oscar has also provided companionship to those who would otherwise have died alone. For his work, he is highly regarded by the physicians and staff at Steere House and by the families of the residents whom
he serves.

AAAAAAGH!

2007-06-25T23:42:00.000-05:00

School is ...

So far, looks good (I think). It's been a long week, but I am still managing to stay on top of things. Fortunately I can read at work when things are slow.

Rest assured, this is my last summer semester with a math class. I'm managing to keep up with this class and my computer class, but the compressed math class is killing me. Ugh!

The Crazzzzy Cat Lady

2007-06-23T13:14:00.000-05:00

There are four cats in this picture, can you find them all?

Summer College

2007-06-04T17:57:00.000-05:00

Hi everybody : )

Just an FYI, posting will be even sparser (is that a word?? I suppose so, since I just used it.) as school has just started for the summer. I am taking College Algebra, Developmental Psychology, and Introduction to Microcomputing.

Two serious classes and one fluff.

The introductions for the microcomputing class are already making me cringe, and glad that this is not an actual classroom class. (This is the very basic beginners class for Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access. I am required to take it for my major, and there is no equivalency test, so I am stuck. I have been using Word and Excel for years, and while I have not used PowerPoint in several years I am still quite familiar with it. I am looking forward to the information on Access. ) The class member introductions go something like this "Hi, My name is ...., I am (married, not married, serious relationship, etc.) ... I am just sooooooo excited about learning all this stuff .... blah blah blah.

Now, not to sound mean, but my experience is that people who are soooooo excited about all this stuff spend all their time nit picking irrelevant little details while I am sitting in the back resisting the urge to leap across the aisles and strangle them in frustration.

I know that sounds mean, sorry.

Ah well ...

Update - well, it looks like I am the only non-medical-professional taking my Developmental Psychology class. Everyone is going into Nursing.

The Crazy Cat Lady

2007-05-31T22:35:00.000-05:00

I took a picture of my mother the other night, and as soon as I can get two minutes to rub together I am going to post it.

My oldest sister (had to go back and specify) has been living with mom while she has been building her house. She made a trip to DC over the memorial day weekend and so mom watched her cats for her (all 4 cats) in addition to her own two cats (indoor kitties) as well as a semi-adopted outdoor cat. (Yes, that is a total of 7 cats).

I caught her, and only four of the cats, in a moment of relaxation, one of whom is large enough to occupy an entire chair.

When you use the word only to describe that many cats, there are too many.

Cause you've finally pissed me off

2007-05-25T17:49:00.000-05:00

This is the MySpace page for one of the few people in the world I can say I truely despise.

Why?

Pray, permit me to ennumerate...

1. She is a lying twit ...
2. She tried to hurt my family ...
3. Nah, ... I could go on, but no real point cause everything goes back to those first two items, except that she also endangered Lily.

This is an excerpt from her main page, under Intersts where she talks about her Heroes ...

"he was the one who was there for me when everyone else bailed after I had
Lily."

I do have to agree that your father (that is who she is referencing here) is a remarkable guy. My MIL "who bailed on you" thinks the world of him.

But lets discuss the "bailing" shall we, since that is what has pissed me off...

Do people who have "bailed on you" after the birth of your baby, take you home from the hospital, make sure you have clothes and necessities for your baby, purchase you a carseat, and the other basics you need, provide you with a temporary home, help you care for your baby, and help you to get things arranged after you have your baby.

After you have lied about even knowing you were pregnant.
After you have lied about who the father was (though, lets face it, he would have been a much better father than the sleazebag who got you pregnant).
After you denied (when you were asked, cause you were gaining weight) that you were pregnant.
After you endangered the life of your baby by not getting any prenatal care (though I do have to give you credit for quiting smoking and drinking, though if you were going to try and pretend you did not know, you should not have told anyone [outside the family] about it).

Another quote ...

"I was with this guy for a little over 4 years and the moment I had Lily he
freaked out and bailed on me. How can you do that to someone you love?"

Lets see, first of all you had been in an on again off again relationship, so saying it was 4 years is a bit of a stretch. The most recent length of time for about 7-8 months. Lily was, according to everyone at the hospital, full term. Hmmmmm ... that does not seem to add up.

Of course you kept insisting that she was a month early.

Lily was and is a beautiful baby, she was not early.

Oh, yes, lets not forget the test. You know the one I am talking about ... the one that proved that he was not Lily's father. 0% possibility of any genetic relationship at all.

Under the circumstances, can you really blame him for being angry with you.

So what has me so pissed off? They took you in, brought you home, took care of you and Lily, helped you relocate to Illinois, did the research as to what you would need to do to get assistance when you got there. And you talk about them and him as if they up and left you sitting in the emergency room at the hospital as soon as they found out you were even pregnant.

I could go on, but I am not going to bother. All this really does is let me vent my spleen about everything that happened. Your choice of words could have definately been better.

I sincerely hope that you are getting your life straightened out, that you are a good mom to Lily, and that Jason will be a good Dad. I hope you are happy.

Wheee!

2007-05-05T16:47:00.000-05:00

I have a B in Algebra! Woo Hoo!

I have an A in College 101: Online Orientation (fluff class-at least for me)

HAPPY DANCE! chaachaachaachaa cha cha!

I'm tired ...

2007-05-04T22:55:00.000-05:00

I had not realized just how much of a strain the last month has been until I was sitting down and talking with my MIL tonight. For the last month I have been hemmoraghing money in all directions getting ready for next semster(books and tuition) , car repair, insurance, internet access (new antenna), and a million other little things. At work we have had numerous serious issues (and I can't talk about them as it would be "an official department statement" - argh) to deal with, not to mention that this is a busy time of the year anyway. And I feel like I have been running in every direction all at once.

If only I did not take my responsibilities so seriously. : p

And ... I am still waiting for my grades to be officially posted!

Hellooooooo Everybody!

2007-04-30T20:37:00.000-05:00

I'm back again ... for a month at least. I finished my semster over the weekend and have the month off until the next semester starts. I definately have an A in the one class and I believe a B in my math class, but I am still waiting for the official results on both of them.

One semester out of seven to my Associates degree out of the way.

Next semester is more Math, Basic microcomputing, and Psychology. : p

Sorry

2007-03-22T21:32:00.000-05:00

I realize that this is awful late to be posting this, but Harelipfrog will be on hiatus until the end of the semester (April 30).

A Funny

2007-02-06T08:55:00.000-06:00

A nice, calm and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, right up to the pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "I would like to buy some cyanide."

The pharmacist asked, "Why in the world do you need cyanide?" The lady replied, "I need it to poison my husband." The pharmacists' eyes got big and he exclaimed, "Lord have mercy!
I can't give you cyanide to kill your husband! That's against the law! I'll lose my license! They'll throw both of us in jail! All kinds of bad things will happen. Absolutely not!
You CANNOT have any cyanide!"

The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist's wife. The pharmacist looked at the picture and replied, "Well now. That's different. You didn't tell me you had a prescription."

School

2007-02-01T23:57:00.000-06:00

I hate math.

:p

Printers

2007-01-30T14:11:00.000-06:00

Have you ever watched the movie "Office Space"?

One scene they are beating to pieces the printer that has been the bane of their existence. That is what I feel like doing today.

We got brand new multi-function copier/printer/scanner machines yesterday. And gues what ...

I can't print.

It worked fine yesterday when the techs were here installing the things, but now ... nothing.

Argh!

Laughing Song - William Blake

2007-01-29T20:30:00.000-06:00

When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,
And the dimpling stream runs laughing by;
When the air does laugh with our merry wit,
And the green hill laughs with the noise of it;

When the meadows laugh with lively green,
And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene,
When Mary and Susan and Emily
With their sweet round mouths sing
``Ha, Ha, He!''

When the painted birds laugh in the shade,
Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread,
Come live & be merry, and join with me,
To sing the sweet chorus of ``Ha, Ha, He!''

2006 Resolutions Update

2007-01-22T22:26:00.000-06:00

Well ... I'm mortified.

I decided I was going to do an update on last year's resolutions ... only they weren't last year's they belonged to 2005. And even if I did just carry them over to 2006, I still did not do very well. I only managed to stick to one of them ... sort of anyway.

My resolutions for 2005:

Loose weight - who does not have that one on their list - failed miserably. In fact I have gained 30 pounds or so over the last 6 months. Ugh.

Go back to school - I am enrolled in school and working on an associates degree in computers. I plan to eventually get my bachelors. I could say that I did this at the end of last year, but I did not actually start classes till this January.

As far as being more patient with my family goes, you would have to ask Gunner about that particular resolution. I do try though.

My resolution for 2007 (and yes I have only one)

Be happier with me.

(((HUGS!)))

Cajun Chili

2006-12-19T21:57:00.000-06:00

Gunner has requested that I post the recipe for Cajun Chili. I should point out that this is not my original recipe, but I got it from somewhere else (I just dont remember where). The really odd thing about this is that you blend the beans, so most of your texture is from the meat and tomatoes. I like it spicy.

Gunner loves this ...

Cajun Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 C chopped onions
1 C chopped green pepper
2 cloves of garlic (med) minced or 2 tablespoons of prechopped garlic
15 oz can of pinto beans - undrained
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes - undrained - (I like a spicy tomato)
8oz can of tomato sauce
2 Tblsp chili powder
1 Tblsp honey
1 Tsp parsley flakes
1 Tsp oregano
1 Tsp ground cumin
1 Tsp crushed red pepper (optional - was not included in original recipe)
1 Tblsp cajun seasoning (of your choice - I have encountered several different kinds of "Cajun Seasoning")

In a large pot (I prefer a cast iron dutch oven), brown meat with onion, green pepper, and garlic. Meanwhile, in a blender, process beans with liquid until smooth.
Drain fat from meat; add the beans and remaining ingredients.
Simmer, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes.

Advantages

2006-12-06T11:12:00.000-06:00

Greetings All!

It is your friendly neighborhood not-often-enough blogger here.

There are days I do not like my employer, the days I get my paycheck for one. Then there are situations like the upcoming holidays. He he ...

My previous occupation of customer service representative did not allow for the recognition of the holidays. People wanted to make their phone calls and call and complain about their problems regardless of what day, time, etc it was. I don't know about you, but I would not be opening my bills on Christmas morning. The closest my employers got to recognizing the holidays was a frozen turkey (the first couple of years) pitched out of the back of a truck.

This year the Govenor has decreed that since the holiday falls primarily on the weekend that we will get a couple of extra days off. I will be off December 22 - 26 (Friday through Tuesday).

Woo Hoo!

Argh!

2006-11-18T21:04:00.000-06:00

Sorry Ivy!

I apologize for the actions of my uncouth (is that a word?) husband.

At least you don't have to live with him.

LOL

Life has been crappy

2006-11-18T09:37:00.000-06:00

Life has not been good the last month and a half and I still don't feel good.

I been feeling increasingly crappy since the beginning of October, not sleeping well if at all, and just feeling bad. Until I started running this truly spectacular fever, and hacking my lungs up (or trying to), and the whole cold thing.

So I went and saw the doc and they determined that I had either a raging case of bronchitis or a very early case of pneumonia. They have since decided pneumonia (joy). I am "over" it, but still trying to recover. Yuck!

So it is going to be a while before I am back to my old, highly irregular, posting.

Sorry

Poetry - Daffodils

2006-11-15T13:59:00.000-06:00

I am not a really big fan of poetry, but every not and again you will run across one that captures a moment with such vividness that it touches something inside you.

I can see the daffodils, can you?

William Wordsworth

I WANDERED LONELY AS A CLOUD

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Bunco Queen

2006-09-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

EGO WARNING!!!

He he
I am the Bunco Queen!

Met up last night with the ladies of the local blogging community and played some bunco at everyone's favorite barbque place: Mothership BBQ

I have never played before and had a really good time. I managed to do amazingly well and threw eight buncos during the evening and had the most wins (8 wins and 2 loses).

I even managed to get my MIL to go with me.

We are going to have to do this again!

Books

2006-09-21T20:45:00.000-05:00

Perhaps I should explain my book rating, having mentioned it below.

The worst books are "trash" - not worth reading, if I found a copy of it lying by the side of the road I would recommend dumping it in a recycle bin so something good might come of it - in my opinion pulp romance novels top the list here, but then I have never really been one for those

Next - Total waste of time - There are some books that were so bad, I wish I had the time back I wasted reading them, though I usually wind up not finishing them if they are this bad

Not worth buying to read - library, friends books etc - If you don't have anything else to do and are absolutely desperate for something to occupy your brain

Worth buying to read - Used - wait till you can find it used, decent but not worth paying $20+ to read

Worth buying to read - New - a really good book, or a follow-up to an excellent book (usually something I have been waiting for)

Keepers - Paper Back - worth keeping but just the paperback please

Keepers - Hard Back - OOOOOOOOH GOOD

Can you tell I like my books?
Ha ha

The Camel Club by David Baldacci

2006-09-21T16:52:00.000-05:00

A review ...

Wow ... I Just finished it and the last few chapters just flew by. It definately kept you hanging right up to the end, but then it reads like he got tired of writing and just wrapped it up. The "one-second left" bit has been so over-used I was disappointed when it cropped up.

Its a good book, a bit schtickish, but good storyline and plot devlopment. Good believable (for the most part) characters, and a mostly happy ending; and I am a sucker for a happy ending. A good book for a lover of the suspense/mystery genre with just a little bit of the love interest thrown in for good measure.

I would recommend it as a paperback buy though probably not a long-term keeper.

Enjoy!

Women - the male perspective - 1943

2006-09-05T15:31:00.000-05:00

My MIL sent me the following, and having greatly enjoyed the chuckles thought I should share it with you (instead of clogging everyone's inbox with it).

Enjoy!

The following is an excerpt from the July 1943 issue of Transportation. This was serious and written for male supervisors of women in the work force during World War II-a mere 60 years ago! For those of you with efficiency issues, pay attention to #8.

Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees:

There's no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women available and how to use them to the best advantage. Here are eleven helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:

1.Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they're less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn't be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.

2.When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It's always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

3.General experience indicates that "husky" girls - those who are just a little on the heavy side - are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.

4.Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination - one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

5.Stress at the outset the importance of time - the fact that a minute or two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.

6.Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that they'll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in finding work themselves.

7.Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less nervous and happier with change.

8.Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.

9.Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are often sensitive; they can't shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never ridicule a woman - it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.

10.Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women. Even though a girl's husband or father may swear vociferously, she'll grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.

11.Get enough size variety in operator's uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can't be stressed too much in keeping women happy.

2006-08-21T18:21:00.000-05:00

Another picture

2006-08-21T18:11:00.000-05:00

Do you see the headrest for the driver?

The guy standing next to it is Jimmy's dad. That is about how tall Jimmy is.

Seatbelts

2006-08-20T16:54:00.000-05:00

Salutations

I was expecting to be spending today at my MIL's house. Instead I am babysitting my nephew. His mom is still about halfway home from Ohio and his grandmother is out checking the crash site to make sure nothing was left behind.

And yes, I said crash site.

My nephew was on his way to church and fell asleep at the wheel.

He hit the rumble strip and woke up. He over corrected, over corrected again, and rolled the SUV. Three times.

He was wearing his seatbelt. He has an abrasion on the back of his head, has hand, and a seriously bruised ego.

Had he not been wearing his seatbelt, it was the kind of accident that could have paralized him or killed him.

Wear your seatbelt.

Please.

Quote

2006-08-17T22:09:00.000-05:00

"The nine most frightening words in the english language are ... "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."

Ronald Reagan

Love and Friendship - Emily Bronte'

2006-08-17T21:59:00.000-05:00

Love is like the wild rose-briar
Friendship like the holly tree
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms
but which will bloom most constantly

The wild rose-briar is sweet in the spring
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again
And who will call the wild briar fair?

Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now
And deck thee with the holly's sheen
That when December blights thy brow
He may still leave thy garland green.

Sorry

2006-08-16T22:17:00.000-05:00

Life has gotten away from me again. Instead of leaving you hanging, I figured to let you know up front or at least as quickly as I had the chance to.

I am not going to even try to post anything for a couple of weeks. Probably not till the beginning of September at least.

Hopefully by then some semblence of sanity will have returned to my life. Nothing that being able to clone myself wouldn't fix.

Thanks for hanging in with me!

Fools

2006-07-31T11:48:00.000-05:00

On the right you will see a link to "I work with Fools". No matter how bad your "fool" is, others have worse.

Elizabeth had one so bad that she submitted her story to the site....a long time ago. Well they finally got around to posting it on their site.

Here is a sample of her story.

My boss has spent the last year and a half (I kid you not) trying to fire this waste of oxygen. However since our employer is paranoid about being sued you have to bend over backwards to get rid of someone. Finally after a year a half he finally got her fired. But was she gone yet??? NO, of course not. She has to get a certified letter from the commisioner first advising her that she has been fired. So, on her "last day at work" my supervisor had to call her into his office and explain this to her and that she should still come in the next day

Go and enjoy the fool my wife had to endure.

Changes

2006-07-07T15:37:00.000-05:00

Well ...

I am going to add the harelipfrog in a day or two to the title banner, so watch for that.

I have changed the names of some of my categories. I was inspired by another site I went by (they linked to me!) that listed blogs as "had a beer with" and "would like to have a beer with." I am not done updating this list. I probably have about 10 more blogs to add. I have blogs for bloggers I know and bloggers that have been nutty enough to link to me (I'm honored I really am <>)

I have added a couple more comics, Girl Genius and Evil Inc., both excellently drawn and written. You would think at almost 40 I would be too old for comics, but no ... a good chunk of every morning goes in to reading the updates.

I have added a religion category. I do tend to not bring the subject up as I have friends that do not fit into the mormon viewpoint, but I am mormon and I love my friends as well. I am going to be adding a few things there, we'll see what I wind up putting there.

Aaaand ... Last but not Least, News. I do like to keep up with the news, and these are the sites I go to the most often for my news.

Some changes

2006-07-05T18:10:00.000-05:00

I am going to be changing some stuff and adding/removing some stuff and categories over the next week or so.

: )

GIGO

2006-07-02T15:01:00.000-05:00

I live in Smyrna, and have attended the last two council sessions with my husband Gunner of NoQuarters and thisissmyrnatn (comments on those two meetings may be found here and here).

I found it disturbing that they were discussing things of importance to the town and yet there was no one there to comment (aside from us).

Government needs voluntary input or the only input you will get is the one you are asking for. (No grammer nannies please) GIGO

You can go to the official Smyrna website and download the agenda, it also has a list of future meetings.

This has not been a good week

2006-06-26T19:00:00.000-05:00

Samantha Dawn Cragun

Dominique McPherson

He was only 5 and Samantha was 20. Both were children of friends of mine.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank You

Saturday

2006-06-17T15:26:00.000-05:00

Hi to everyone at Joe's!

Sorry for the hasty exit, but Gunner does have a tendancy to overheat if he is not careful. Got him home and cooled off and he is currently asleep in front of the fan. He does this to me about 2-3 times a year, and I got the grey hairs to prove it.

Sigh ...

BBQ at the Sam Davis Home

2006-06-17T09:06:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody!

For anyone not at Bonneroo.

There is BBQ at the Sam Davis Home in Smyrna this weekend. Saturday is the "Backyard BBQ" competition and Sunday is the Professional category.

I have a friend competing in the backyard category. If you go out this weekend I would recommend going by. It promises to be fun ... and delicious.

Have fun!

Gum

2006-06-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

A couple of posts ago I told about a few things I hate, one of them being gum.

I passionately hate gum.

Ick.

Anyway ... I thought I would share a recent (well, maybe not so recent) gum experience with ya'll and perhaps you can help me with a small problem.

My hubby, sweetie that he is, enters me in contests. He is at home all day and not a whole lot to do and before he started blogging he entered contests a lot. I mean a lot.

It was really fun, every month or two (or couple of weeks) I would get home from work and there would be a box or a letter where we had won some item. I am still using the lipstick, towels, beachbag, and a lot of other stuff that accumulated over that period of time.

One day, while I was at work, a large box arrived at the door. Gunner has never been known to be patient, and opened it. I had won ... drumroll...

A YEARS SUPPLY OF GUM!! TA-DA!

My mother happened to be there for the unveiling and began to laugh. He asked her what was so funny and she reminded him of my aversion to the stuff. He thought this was hillarious.

They carefully sealed the box back up so I could open it when I got home.

You can imagine my glee at the discovery of a new box of who knew what, and then my chagrin at discovering all this gum. Two complete cases of Watermelon and Lemonade Koolers gum. (2 cases, 6 boxes to a case, 15 packs to a box = 180 packs of gum)

It has now been a year and a half and I still have gum left.

So, anyone want some?

Please?

Pretty please?

:)

Mothership BBQ

2006-06-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

Noquarters and I were customer group number six to visit Mothership BBQ. The blogging community was out in force to help support new business and a felllow blogger.

The food is excellent! Ya gotta go!

Interesting Weekend

2006-06-11T08:26:00.000-05:00

It has been a good weekend so far ...

The soap opera is over, mama has left to stay with her father in Illinois ...

Had a nice craft night with my MIL

Got the trash hauled off on Saturday, and had lunch at Mothership BBQ (good food!) - and started working on getting the pool open (a bit late this year)

And finally was able to relax and have a bit of peace and quiet for the first time in two weeks.

Follow up

2006-06-06T15:55:00.000-05:00

She is not my neice.

The results are back, and she is not my neice. Apparently the genetic relationship is impossible.

Now, we are working on helping momma get her stuff in order and try to help her get her life straightened out.

It has been a strange, hard week.

I suppose that it is one of the things I love about my ILs. When one of us is threatened the rest rally around. Once the problem is resolved, we all try and work together for as good an outcome as possible ... including for her.

I don't know that many families like that, and I don't think it is something that most people can understand.

I'll miss the peapod (my husbands name for her).

Sorry for the lack of posts

2006-06-03T09:04:00.000-05:00

Life has been quite interesting lately.

Will try and get back in the saddle again shortly.

How? Why?

2006-05-29T22:33:00.000-05:00

I do not understand how or why someone would do something like this ...

My younger brother-in-law's girlfriend had been living with my MIL for the last several months sincer her step-father kicked her out of the house after her mother died.

She has been treated like a member of the family.

We have all done our best to make her feel welcome.

We are not a rich family and did ask her to find a job and help support herself, but never treated her in an unkind manner.

She was pregnant and did not tell anyone. Not until today when she went into labor.

She did not tell anyone she missed her period. She did not see a doctor about any pre-natal care. She never indicated that anything was wrong. She had gained weight, but she had been out of work for several months and had not done much during that period of time, so it was not odd.

She now has a very pissed off family to deal with. Medical bills (and since she did not have any pre-natal care, additional testing, and additional expense), baby stuff and clothing to be purchased, and a car seat to be purchased before Wednesday.

A boyfriend who feels betrayed because she did not tell him.

A family who feel betrayed because she did not tell us.

She has lived with us as a family long enough to know that we would not throw her out because she got pregnant.

I am at my wits end because I can't understand why she did this. Now, as a result of her duplicity, there is a great deal of doubt and mistrust regarding her motives for doing this.

I realize I sound like I am dumping on her, and right now I am. I will probably be more forgiving tomorrow, but tonight I just cant understand how she could do this to us.

Tremors

2006-05-14T09:46:00.000-05:00

Honestly, I dont like to talk about this. In fact I have snapped at my sisters on more than one occasion when they pointed out just how bad I was on any particular day. Sorry.

Anyone who has spent much time with me (particularly in the last couple of years) will probably have observed that my hands will sometimes shake. My oldest sister once observed that she expected me to wear the hot chocolate I was trying to drink because my hands were shaking so bad. I have started taking steps to minimize the appearance of my shakes, I drink with a straw or will hold the rim of a cup in my teeth while drinking to minimize their appearance (they are currently most apparent when I am drinking out of a glass).

It's embarrassing. It also gets worse when I get upset, which results in vicious cycle.

I start to shake - I get upset about it - I shake more

My doctor finally referred me to a neurologist for a definitive diagnosis. Good News - I do not have Parkinsons - Bad News - I do have what is called an "Essential Tremor".

We are now pursuing treatment options. But it's something I will have deal with for the rest of my life.

Sorry, feeling sorry for myself.

Things I Like:/Things I don't like

2006-05-13T23:45:00.000-05:00

THINGS I LIKE

Flavors - I love good food
Books - The last time I moved I had over thirty boxes of books
Textures - One of the things I like about crochet is selecting the yarn
Music - I like all types of music
Color - pure clear tones
Quiet Time - everyone needs some time to contemplate where they are and where they are going - or just some time to set the day aside

THINGS I DISLIKE

Chewing Gum - After 15 years on the phones as a customer service rep, and listenng to the mastication of various foods, I can safely say that nothing sounds as bad as chewing gum
Bad Customer Service - I have no patience for poor service - If you are having a problem, that is one thing; but treat me like I have a brain and the good sense to use it and not like some drooling idiot who couldn't find his own tush with both hands and a street map
People who yell all the time - you know who I am talking about, they have no volume control
People who feel they must be part of my conversation - Did I ask you about it

I know I sound bitchy - sorry

Apartment

2006-05-01T12:57:00.000-05:00

Well ... it looks like our current rentor will not be moving out after all.

Sorry

2006-04-27T20:36:00.000-05:00

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds,--and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless falls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor eer eagle flew--
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

by John Gillespie Magee

Bras

2006-03-22T14:26:00.000-06:00

This is not something I have talked about very much, but I have a hard time finding bras that fit. You know the old joke, when they were handing out "insert item here" you must have gone through the line twice.? Well, I must have gone through the boob line a couple of times. I have not actually had a properly fitting bra since I was 18 (at least).

Well, I was flipping around on Ebay a couple of weeks ago and saw a bra advertised as a "40JJ". My thought at the time was "might as well give it a try, if that wont fit me nothing will". I got the bra and lo and behold it FITS. What kind of freaking bra size is JJ (for those of you who think bras dont go past D or DD, a JJ is the equivalent of 11 Ds or DDDDDDDDDDD) Argh!

Actually it is just a shade big in the straps and cups, so I ordered a 38JJ. Fits like a peach, though I could maybe use one cup size bigger. The straps are even comfy.

Anyway, for those ladies out there who fall into the catagory of mamoth, the bra is made by "Simply Me Intimates" and the style is "Bliss". You can order them from a company name (appropriately enough) Ample Bosom.

Anyway - I hope the information is of help for those who need it.

No - I am not posting a picture of my boobs for those pervs drawn here by googling boobs.

Apartment for Rent

2006-03-16T11:31:00.000-06:00

Anyone know somebody in the Smyrna/LaVergne Tennessee area looking for an apartment?

I have a nice one bedroom apartment in my home that I will need to rent as of the end of this month (March).

It has hardwood and carpet floors, kitchenette, spacious floorplan, paid utilities(except phone), FREE WIRELESS HIGHSPEED INTERNET ACCESS, private patio and entrance, covered off street parking, fenced yard (shared) and pool (shared) and trash service.

I am still trying to determine what rent to charge and what to do about deposits.

Any suggestions or takers?

A Johari Window

2006-03-07T22:37:00.000-06:00

A Johari Window is a metaphorical tool intended to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships. It compares how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you.

Anyway, please feel free to contribute to my Johari Window .

Thanks

My Blanket

2006-03-07T22:31:00.000-06:00

I FINISHED MY BLANKET!!
WOO HOO!

I just have to take care of all the strings and I will post a picture for you!

Whee!

My Bored Sister

2006-02-28T18:30:00.000-06:00

My sister called me Monday. She was at Cracker Barrel and waiting on her food and was bored. Very bored. Apparently very very bored.

In her boredom she was playing the game they have at every table at Cracker Barrel. She has long since figured out how to leave only one tee, and decided to figure out what was the most she could leave.

Six.

According to Kath the most number of tees you can leave (immovable tees) is six. One in each corner and three trapped across the middle.

Hope you have enjoyed today's trivia!

My Posts

2006-02-23T11:21:00.000-06:00

I have been posting a lot of poetry lately. And I will admit I have been hitting the classics/old favorites a lot. They have been reflective of my frame of mind and what I have been wanting to say when I have not had the right words myself.

For Ivy

2006-02-23T11:12:00.000-06:00

This one is for you Ivy and the first thing I thought of when I read your post.

First some history:

written May 1951.
published in 'In Country Sleep', 1952.

"Addressed to the poet's father as he approached blindness and death. The relevant aspect of the relationship was Thomas's profound respect for his father's uncompromising independence of mind, now tamed by illness. In the face of strong emotion, the poet sets himself the task of mastering it in the difficult form of the villanelle."

from Dylan Thomas: Selected Poems
edited by Walford
Davies,
JM Dent & Sons Ltd, London, 1974
pp 131-32

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though Wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not so gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

Happy Birthday!

2006-02-19T21:35:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to Gunner at No Quarters! A long time ago and you were already playing with guns!

Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T12:02:00.000-06:00

It's a classic, but nobody really knows more than the first line.

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Blogger meetup - February

2006-02-12T19:07:00.000-06:00

Had a great time at the blogger meetup on Saturday. I sincerely hope that I have not passed my cold on to anyone. There is a podcast that you can listen to here.

The next one is in March. See This is Smyrna for details.

The Galloping Crud

2006-02-10T23:18:00.000-06:00

I have, as it is commonly referred to in my family, the Galloping Crud.

I am sure that this sounds fascinating and I am sure you want to hear all about it (Not!). But here you are, reading the words I tossed out into the ether.

The Galloping Crud, for the unenlightened, is the common cold or flu or whatever undiagnosed ailment you happen to have. It comes galloping in to make you feel cruddy.

I started off just feeling sort of yucky, then yuckier. Wednesday night I started running a fever (100.0) and a cough. I stayed home from work on Thursday as I figured a day of rest and I would probably be feeling well enough to go back to work. Wrong! Thursday afternoon I was feeling OK but really tired and took a nap. When I woke up I felt crappy and checked my temp 102.8. This is not good. I took two tylenol. An hour later my fever had not come down and I was having a hard time breathing.

I went to the emergency room.

I got a diagnosis of sinusitis, a prescription for antibiotics, a steroid shot to help me breath better, and another day off from work.

I am finally starting to feel better. I am definitely breathing better (always a plus). And will likely be back to work on Monday.

I just cringe at the thought of what will be waiting for me at work.

Stopping by woods on a snowy evening - by Robert Frost

2006-02-06T15:09:00.000-06:00

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

A Moment of Silence for The Maestro

2006-02-04T22:57:00.000-06:00

Who has not enjoyed an evening barbecuing burgers, wrestling with the charcoal, and spending quality time with friends and family.

I was pondering on this the other evening and remembered something my husband had shown me several years ago. I had to spend quite some time running down the article, but finally located it here. There are several articles on the page and they are all worth taking a minute to chuckle over. He links to pictures of it, but that page has since been dropped. You can find the details here.

Unfortunately the local fire department did not appreciate the scientific applications of his lighting method, and so he is no longer lighting charcoal.

What a shame.

Wow

2006-02-04T20:56:00.000-06:00

Wow

What is it?

A man-hole.

Apparently in Japan they have taken the man-hole cover from utilitarian to (in some cases) works of art. You have got to take a look at these.

The Flip Side

2006-02-03T09:36:00.000-06:00

I suppose I should also share the things I don't like about my job.

The nasally female who spends all day humming. Ick. I'm sorry, I realize it is a small thing, but it just crawls all over my last nerve.

Its either hot or cold in here - almost never something I would call comfortable or anyone else would since everyone complains about it

Training - I spent 7.5 hours in training yesterday that would have taken about 30-45 minutes had it been just me

I can't take a day out of the office, since if I do all hell breaks loose. (Heaven help them if I take a vacation next year!)

I LOVE MY JOB!

2006-02-01T14:14:00.000-06:00

Lets see ...
Why do I LOOOOOOOVE my job?

Money - I am making (gross) about 4 thousand more a year than I was as a clerk.
Time - I have an whole hour back to spend on myself that is no longer being wasted on travel time.
Co-Workers - I have only one seriously anoying co-worker and she at least does work (unlike when I worked as a clerk)
My responsibilities - I like what I am doing - documents and organizing and ordering and time sheets.

Love it
Love it
Love it

Oh, and did I mention that the only person who's work I can get chewed out about, is my own?
Woo Hoo!

Come one - Come all

2006-02-01T14:13:00.000-06:00

This month's blogger get-together is swiftly coming up!

Avatar

2006-01-22T18:40:00.000-06:00

I have finally settled on an avatar for myself.

I realize that it might seem unfriendly to some. Sorry, but I like it.

It is actually a merging of two images from one of my favorite online comics, "Wapsi Square" the particular strip can be seen here.

I hope you like it.

Night!