Or what DH found amusing throughout the speech. (Note, no time stamps because DH was replaying stuff multiple times.)
During the President's entrance there was a gentleman behind him that looked like he was in pain... DH felt he was holding in gas.
Madame speaker was apparently doing some mouth exercises during her close up after she sat down behind the President... hopefully her mouth doesn't freeze that way.
Gee, Bush was way to happy when he presented a tired idea and finally got a full standing ovation.
Representative Flake?... Good thing he isn't in a snow state.
Oh gee... another full standing ovation. Who is in the front row egging him on to smirk?
It took me 25 minutes to figure out that Dick Cheney was sitting behind the President.
Whoops... the camera man nodded off...
More mouth exercises for Madame Speaker. She must really be falling asleep.
Ted Kennedy was reading a book. (O... I guess it is the speech, he's forgiven)
Dude, fix the public schools before you give away money for "poor" kids to go to private schools. But wait, you think your "No Child Left Behind" law is working... that's the problem.
Man... the camera man is still falling asleep and we can't change channel because DH had to see the silly stuff more than once and replay what he talked through for me.
Clean air for India and China went over like a lead balloon.
Does anyone else think that the blue tie foretells that the next President with be a democrat?
Poor military man who was holding in a belch when the camera was on him...hopefully it wasn't indigestion. The second time the camera was on him you could tell he was not feeling well... wonder if his collar is too tight. Yep, he is definitely not well... looks like he just puked in his mouth a bit.
There she goes again... burning those calories by exercising her mouth... the fish face is particularly flattering. :)
Is anyone counting the applause or the "terror" references?
Well... he is repeating himself, time for it to be over.
Alright, scare tactics are annoying Hilary, either that or she is annoyed that John McCain didn't show. Another thought... she is really ticked off at the Kennedys.
Whoops... Laura Bush was making faces during her close up! Kinda looked like the little plant from "Little Shop of Horrors"
Hey, There are autograph hounds at the State of the Union too!
I better get back to work!
Monday, January 28, 2008
BBBT-Jane Austen Book Club
Whoops... I forgot to post this!
The latest book for the BBBT was Jane Austen Book Club. While this was a good read, for me it didn't live up to the hype. Maybe because I haven't read much Austen? Anyhow... on to the questions.
Did you find the allusions to the various Austin books distracting or helpful in understanding the characters in the book? Were there enough similarities to Austin's characters for you to distinguish who was who (i.e. Jocelyn = Emma)?
I found the references helpful since I haven't actually read much of Austen's works. I know the basic plots of the major works. I think there were enough for some characters but not enough for others... such as Grigg for me.
On page 5 of my edition, at the end of the Prologue, the narrator says: "The six of us -- Jocelyn, Bernadette, Sylvia, Allegra, Prudie, and Grigg -- made up the full roster of the Central Valley/River City all-Jane-Austen-all-the-time book club." Each of the six is featured in the book, and voices intimate thoughts & memories, yet throughout, the narrator maintains the voice of "we." Which of the characters is the narrator telling the story/writing the book? And if you don't know or have an opinion, which character would be the most likely narrator & why?
Honestly... I thought that the narrator voice was Jocelyn. She seemed the strongest voice throughout the novel.
Happiness seemed to be a reoccurring topic throughout the book. Sylvia and Bernadette seemed to be polar opposites in how they reacted to things in life and how they viewed happiness. Do you identify with one of these ladies over the other? Explain. Did another character speak to you instead? Who and why?
My outlook on life seems more aligned with Sylvia. I tend to be the one that holds things back. It is very obvious when I am happy because most of the rest of the time I tend to be more stoic in my emotions to people that are not in my "inner" circle per say.
Allegra is described as "liking being an aunt. That it offered all the kid time she needed. Probably. All she wanted mostly." If you don't have your own children, but are an aunt how important is that role to you and, what special rewards does it offer?
It depends on which kids! To some of my nieces and nephews, I get to be the one that they can pal around with and joke with differently then with mom and dad. To others, I am just someone who buys them gifts. I like being an aunt but still think that being a mom is a better role. Special rewards? Well, it is always nice when they run up and hug ya out of a group!
When Corinne stole Allegra's stories, she both lied by omission as well as stole pieces of Allegra. Do you believe Allegra was more upset about the lie or the fact that someone stole her stories?
I personally thought that she was more upset about the fact that Corinne hid the fact that she was using Allegra's stories to try and earn money. I think maybe if she would have informed her, she probably would have been okay with it since she loves her but the fact that it was all done behind her back was the issue.
Hop along to another stop on this blog tour by visiting the main list at http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/. You can also sign up for the next book on this online book club: Embryo Culture by Beth Kohl (with author participation!)
The latest book for the BBBT was Jane Austen Book Club. While this was a good read, for me it didn't live up to the hype. Maybe because I haven't read much Austen? Anyhow... on to the questions.
Did you find the allusions to the various Austin books distracting or helpful in understanding the characters in the book? Were there enough similarities to Austin's characters for you to distinguish who was who (i.e. Jocelyn = Emma)?
I found the references helpful since I haven't actually read much of Austen's works. I know the basic plots of the major works. I think there were enough for some characters but not enough for others... such as Grigg for me.
On page 5 of my edition, at the end of the Prologue, the narrator says: "The six of us -- Jocelyn, Bernadette, Sylvia, Allegra, Prudie, and Grigg -- made up the full roster of the Central Valley/River City all-Jane-Austen-all-the-time book club." Each of the six is featured in the book, and voices intimate thoughts & memories, yet throughout, the narrator maintains the voice of "we." Which of the characters is the narrator telling the story/writing the book? And if you don't know or have an opinion, which character would be the most likely narrator & why?
Honestly... I thought that the narrator voice was Jocelyn. She seemed the strongest voice throughout the novel.
Happiness seemed to be a reoccurring topic throughout the book. Sylvia and Bernadette seemed to be polar opposites in how they reacted to things in life and how they viewed happiness. Do you identify with one of these ladies over the other? Explain. Did another character speak to you instead? Who and why?
My outlook on life seems more aligned with Sylvia. I tend to be the one that holds things back. It is very obvious when I am happy because most of the rest of the time I tend to be more stoic in my emotions to people that are not in my "inner" circle per say.
Allegra is described as "liking being an aunt. That it offered all the kid time she needed. Probably. All she wanted mostly." If you don't have your own children, but are an aunt how important is that role to you and, what special rewards does it offer?
It depends on which kids! To some of my nieces and nephews, I get to be the one that they can pal around with and joke with differently then with mom and dad. To others, I am just someone who buys them gifts. I like being an aunt but still think that being a mom is a better role. Special rewards? Well, it is always nice when they run up and hug ya out of a group!
When Corinne stole Allegra's stories, she both lied by omission as well as stole pieces of Allegra. Do you believe Allegra was more upset about the lie or the fact that someone stole her stories?
I personally thought that she was more upset about the fact that Corinne hid the fact that she was using Allegra's stories to try and earn money. I think maybe if she would have informed her, she probably would have been okay with it since she loves her but the fact that it was all done behind her back was the issue.
Hop along to another stop on this blog tour by visiting the main list at http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/. You can also sign up for the next book on this online book club: Embryo Culture by Beth Kohl (with author participation!)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
BP Update
So... I saw the dr on Monday and unfortunately due to the readings that I am getting at home and the readings in his office, he started me on a med. Not the kind that I was expecting either so I need to do some research to figure out what these ACE inhibitors are exactly. Hopefully it will workout like he thinks and it is just taking some time for the BCP to get out of my system. With my weight gain, it could be adding to it and if the weight comes off again I probably won't need it. Hopefully that is the case.
Off to go get some more work done. Need to stay on top of things when we are this busy but I am not complaining.
Off to go get some more work done. Need to stay on top of things when we are this busy but I am not complaining.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Whirlwind
Oh my word.... the past few weeks have been really busy with work. I spent most of last Monday catching up on work from the week before. This past week was crazy and this weekend was noteworthy!
For once... I just said "screw it" and dropped everything when DH basically had Cubs convention tickets fall into his lap at less than face value! We tried to pay face value for this tickets but he wouldn't let us! We both had been shopping around but paying double face value wasn't something that we were willing to do as it just perpetuates the problem of over priced tickets to all kinds of events. Anyhow...
So Friday, I was going to finish up a report I was working on and then head downtown a bit after DH but before BINGO! Instead I ending up racing out of the house because he called to tell me that he didn't have his ATM card and wasn't sure he would be able to withdraw money at the bank. Luckily our bank still works like a bank and lets you withdraw with ID, unlike one of our old ones. Yes, I know it is wierd not to know that after 5+ years but we usually use the teller for deposits and the atm for withdrawals. By the time that he called to say that he was fine with cash I was 2 min from the train station and the train was less than 10 min away. Going back home wasn't a great option because I would be home for less than 30 minutes before I had to leave to get the next train so I just took the earlier one. It worked out well. We missed the opening ceremonies and didn't particpate in the Autograph hunt but we checked out BINGO but couldn't get a card. We ended up walking around some of the display booths and eating a decent dinner at the hotel restuarant. I think we did something else on Friday but I don't remember what it was :)
Saturday we had to catch the first train into the city to make it to the panel that DH wanted to see. We ate a light breakfast at the train station since we had time when we got there and then headed off. It was crowded as expected and I am always surprised at the number of small infants at events like this. I know things happen at the last minute but it seems crazy to take a 3 month old to an event with thousands of people and where there are panels that the audience should be quiet during. I say should because I was annoyed with the number of cell phones going off and people just talking on them right in their seats while the players were talking!
Anyhow.. it was a really long day and it was bone chilling cold out. It took about 20 min to warm the car up when we got back to the station and there was ice on the inside. Of course, DH decided that the car just had to be run longer so we ended not getting home for 2 hours after the train came in.
Sunday morning it was tough to get up. DH kept saying if you want to work we can stay home but I told him that the last thing I needed was him telling people that "I didn't get to go to Sunday session because Deb had to work" so we got up and went. We drove in and I screwed up the time that his panel was so we were there early. We took advantage of that time to get our 1 autograph of the convention. Last year we only got one also because we didn't want to wait in the REALLY long lines to get autographs. This line was shorter and it moved fast. Of course, DH thinks that this player will be moving on before the season starts but eh, who cares... he played during the most recent pennant season. I was really glad that I sat in on the roundtable discussion of the Hall of Famer's... well 3 of them anyhow, because the display that went with it was not worth the drive and the parking.
After the discussion was over we headed out to a northern suburb to meet up with a friend that I have been chatting with forever it seems. We have never met in person but it was a good time and we hope to get down to her area to visit soon. We headed out to a local mall and had lunch at an interesting restuarant. The food was decent and the company good so that makes it better. Then I finally found a coat that has long enough arms for me. It is a women's style too which is as awesome as the clearance price! It will work well once the weather warms up a bit. We also made a trip to Trader Joe's and I picked up more than I should have but it is all good. We never went grocery shopping this weekend so if I can ever get to the store to pick up some roast beef and bread we will be all set for the week. I was disappointed though because they didn't have the asian mixed veggies that we like and they also didn't have shelled edamame. They still had the same ones in the pods but I don't want to have to take them out of the pods when I cook :)
Anyhow... there is lots more but I have rambled enough. I need to go make some tea and figure out how to warm up my toes... they have been freezing since I got home.
For once... I just said "screw it" and dropped everything when DH basically had Cubs convention tickets fall into his lap at less than face value! We tried to pay face value for this tickets but he wouldn't let us! We both had been shopping around but paying double face value wasn't something that we were willing to do as it just perpetuates the problem of over priced tickets to all kinds of events. Anyhow...
So Friday, I was going to finish up a report I was working on and then head downtown a bit after DH but before BINGO! Instead I ending up racing out of the house because he called to tell me that he didn't have his ATM card and wasn't sure he would be able to withdraw money at the bank. Luckily our bank still works like a bank and lets you withdraw with ID, unlike one of our old ones. Yes, I know it is wierd not to know that after 5+ years but we usually use the teller for deposits and the atm for withdrawals. By the time that he called to say that he was fine with cash I was 2 min from the train station and the train was less than 10 min away. Going back home wasn't a great option because I would be home for less than 30 minutes before I had to leave to get the next train so I just took the earlier one. It worked out well. We missed the opening ceremonies and didn't particpate in the Autograph hunt but we checked out BINGO but couldn't get a card. We ended up walking around some of the display booths and eating a decent dinner at the hotel restuarant. I think we did something else on Friday but I don't remember what it was :)
Saturday we had to catch the first train into the city to make it to the panel that DH wanted to see. We ate a light breakfast at the train station since we had time when we got there and then headed off. It was crowded as expected and I am always surprised at the number of small infants at events like this. I know things happen at the last minute but it seems crazy to take a 3 month old to an event with thousands of people and where there are panels that the audience should be quiet during. I say should because I was annoyed with the number of cell phones going off and people just talking on them right in their seats while the players were talking!
Anyhow.. it was a really long day and it was bone chilling cold out. It took about 20 min to warm the car up when we got back to the station and there was ice on the inside. Of course, DH decided that the car just had to be run longer so we ended not getting home for 2 hours after the train came in.
Sunday morning it was tough to get up. DH kept saying if you want to work we can stay home but I told him that the last thing I needed was him telling people that "I didn't get to go to Sunday session because Deb had to work" so we got up and went. We drove in and I screwed up the time that his panel was so we were there early. We took advantage of that time to get our 1 autograph of the convention. Last year we only got one also because we didn't want to wait in the REALLY long lines to get autographs. This line was shorter and it moved fast. Of course, DH thinks that this player will be moving on before the season starts but eh, who cares... he played during the most recent pennant season. I was really glad that I sat in on the roundtable discussion of the Hall of Famer's... well 3 of them anyhow, because the display that went with it was not worth the drive and the parking.
After the discussion was over we headed out to a northern suburb to meet up with a friend that I have been chatting with forever it seems. We have never met in person but it was a good time and we hope to get down to her area to visit soon. We headed out to a local mall and had lunch at an interesting restuarant. The food was decent and the company good so that makes it better. Then I finally found a coat that has long enough arms for me. It is a women's style too which is as awesome as the clearance price! It will work well once the weather warms up a bit. We also made a trip to Trader Joe's and I picked up more than I should have but it is all good. We never went grocery shopping this weekend so if I can ever get to the store to pick up some roast beef and bread we will be all set for the week. I was disappointed though because they didn't have the asian mixed veggies that we like and they also didn't have shelled edamame. They still had the same ones in the pods but I don't want to have to take them out of the pods when I cook :)
Anyhow... there is lots more but I have rambled enough. I need to go make some tea and figure out how to warm up my toes... they have been freezing since I got home.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
1987
That is the year I belong in:
But umm... no thanks! I won't go back to that year if someone paid me a trillion dollars. I was 13 and in 7th grade then 8th grade. Nope, no thanks. Oh yea... and my father remarried that year to an OCD woman with MS who didn't like me much. So much was the uh... dislike that in fact that I didn't see my father for three years after that. Yep, it was great.
| You Belong in 1987 |
 Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day. |
But umm... no thanks! I won't go back to that year if someone paid me a trillion dollars. I was 13 and in 7th grade then 8th grade. Nope, no thanks. Oh yea... and my father remarried that year to an OCD woman with MS who didn't like me much. So much was the uh... dislike that in fact that I didn't see my father for three years after that. Yep, it was great.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Oh No!!!
Not Kevin! http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway//index.php
Blah... Christian's dress was awful.........
Blah... Christian's dress was awful.........
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Not so...
Com.casti.c today. I am so aggraveted. They were supposed to come out to fix a problem today-3 of our HD channels aren't coming in. Two of them were coming in last month but now they aren't and the other one never came in from the start. They decided that this must be related to a local outage and cancelled our appointment automatically without notifying us. What I am guessing happened is that their automated service called and when it got an answering machine it cancelled the appointment. Isn't that great? What was worse was that the customer service rep couldn't explain what happened or why they thought it was an outage. However, per the customer service rep a local outage is usually cleared within 1-2 days... I placed the service call on the 30th and had issues getting an appointment. They seem to be having a lot of service calls right now and appointments are not readily available.
I don't understand why they can't fix this remotely. Seems so silly just to lose 3 channels out of way too many.
I don't understand why they can't fix this remotely. Seems so silly just to lose 3 channels out of way too many.
Monday, January 07, 2008
No more BCP
The nurses freaked out a bit today and I had to stick around to see an internist before I could leave the clinic today. Oh well, now I am seeing a new doctor, sort of, and will move my med records over to the clinic like DH wanted me too.
However, he didn't want to put me on pills today. I have to monitor at home, 2x per day for the next two weeks. yay. I go back in 2 weeks for a follow up.
My bottom number went up 40 points and the top number went up 25 points since the end of the first pack of BCP. I was supposed to start the fourth pack yesterday but was pretty sure there was an issue.
So now what?
I don't get to have normal hormones ever?
However, he didn't want to put me on pills today. I have to monitor at home, 2x per day for the next two weeks. yay. I go back in 2 weeks for a follow up.
My bottom number went up 40 points and the top number went up 25 points since the end of the first pack of BCP. I was supposed to start the fourth pack yesterday but was pretty sure there was an issue.
So now what?
I don't get to have normal hormones ever?
Sunday, January 06, 2008
The Thaw...
Well... this spring like weather helped a bit. I didn't go out in it but the "wet dog" smell permeated the garage and other areas of the home when the door was open. I may not have gone out but I did get some "spring like cleaning" done today. Since it has warmed up it seemed a good time to wash all the house blankets and other items used to keep warm around here. I still have one more load to throw in but I am sure that it will get done tonight. I should wash the bed blanket too but I can't wash the comforter in my washer so I will just take them together to the laundrymat at some point--- either before it gets cold again or in the real spring.
I should have spent some time working this afternoon instead of doing things like reorganizing the linen closet and making banana spice bread/mini muffins. DH has been preoccupied with his new monitor that he bought yesterday. It is a bit smaller than he wanted originally but in the end we saved $70.00 over what he was originally looking at so as long as he is happy, I am happy. Plus that means he has an extra $70.00 to build into his new computer budget.
Tomorrow I have two doctors appointments and need to figure out how to fit in an inspection. None of the people I called for appointments on Friday called me back so it works out well since I have a ton of work to do and I have to run to both of those dr's appts. I am going to the OB/GYN to have the nurse check my BP. I am pretty sure it is running high but the only way to know is to have her check. I am supposed to start a new pack of BCP today but decided that I would just wait until tomorrow to fill it. One day really isn't going to screw my cycle up more than it has been anyhow. I will just take both pills tomorrow if I am allowed to stay on it. The other appt is a followup with the derm dr but I also have a strange rash on my neck which may or may not be related to the med that I have been using for awhile now to eliminate breakouts. Thanks to my PCOS, I still have the skin of a teenager and not the young looking kind. Hopefully it won't be anything major.
Anyhow... I am off to check the banana bread in the oven and get the dinner plates ready. I made beef stew in my new crockpot. It has been an adventure (this one runs way warmer than my old one) and this is the first time in over a year that I was able to make beef stew due to DH's stomach issues. He has been doing pretty well and has been able to reintroduce several foods without problems! Yay!
I should have spent some time working this afternoon instead of doing things like reorganizing the linen closet and making banana spice bread/mini muffins. DH has been preoccupied with his new monitor that he bought yesterday. It is a bit smaller than he wanted originally but in the end we saved $70.00 over what he was originally looking at so as long as he is happy, I am happy. Plus that means he has an extra $70.00 to build into his new computer budget.
Tomorrow I have two doctors appointments and need to figure out how to fit in an inspection. None of the people I called for appointments on Friday called me back so it works out well since I have a ton of work to do and I have to run to both of those dr's appts. I am going to the OB/GYN to have the nurse check my BP. I am pretty sure it is running high but the only way to know is to have her check. I am supposed to start a new pack of BCP today but decided that I would just wait until tomorrow to fill it. One day really isn't going to screw my cycle up more than it has been anyhow. I will just take both pills tomorrow if I am allowed to stay on it. The other appt is a followup with the derm dr but I also have a strange rash on my neck which may or may not be related to the med that I have been using for awhile now to eliminate breakouts. Thanks to my PCOS, I still have the skin of a teenager and not the young looking kind. Hopefully it won't be anything major.
Anyhow... I am off to check the banana bread in the oven and get the dinner plates ready. I made beef stew in my new crockpot. It has been an adventure (this one runs way warmer than my old one) and this is the first time in over a year that I was able to make beef stew due to DH's stomach issues. He has been doing pretty well and has been able to reintroduce several foods without problems! Yay!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Taking Bets....
We are due for some really wonky weather and I am taking bets that it won't happen. They keep saying that even though yesterday it was so cold that our furnace ran almost constantly to get the house up to 66 degrees that on Sunday it will be 50 degrees outside. Even today it is seriously cold out but at least the furnace isn't constantly running... of course, I turned it down to 64 only to be told that we had to compromise at 65 because 64 was just way to cold. Um... 1 degree? Not that much of a difference these days.
I am betting and hoping at the same time that the 50 degree weather doesn't come. Why you say? Oh because that dramatic of a change causes way to many people to be sick and since I feel like I have been fighting a cold, when not all out really sick, since Thanksgiving... I don't need to be going to every appointment to meet a sick person. Besides... the snow that is still white is pretty :)
Above freezing... no windchill... these I would love but springlike temps as a tease are not welcome here! :)
I am betting and hoping at the same time that the 50 degree weather doesn't come. Why you say? Oh because that dramatic of a change causes way to many people to be sick and since I feel like I have been fighting a cold, when not all out really sick, since Thanksgiving... I don't need to be going to every appointment to meet a sick person. Besides... the snow that is still white is pretty :)
Above freezing... no windchill... these I would love but springlike temps as a tease are not welcome here! :)
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Meatball Veggie Soup
This one started as an idea and turned out well.
1 can low sodium beef broth
1 envelope onion/mushroom soup mix
2 soup cans of water
1 small onion chopped
1 cup corn
3/4 cup frozen collard greens (estimate as it was the end of the bag)
1.5 cups frozen broccoli (again, estimate as it was the end of a huge bag)
1 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped carrots
3 tbls fresh parsley
3 shakes of the black pepper
3 shakes of the worcheshire sauce
2 small handfuls noninstant rice (estimate about 2/3 of cup)
2-3 servings of frozen turkey meatballs (mine were 6 per serving and I put 15 in the soup pot. These were the fit and active Aldi turkey meatballs so they have a bit of a smokey flavor)
additional chopped parsley
grated/shredded parma cheese (to your taste)
Place the soup mix, broth, water, veggies, and rice in the soup pot. Start the heat and heat to boiling. Add pepper, parsley, and worcheshire sauce. Simmer until the meat balls are heated through and the rice is tender. Stir in additional parsley. Serve and top bowls with cheese if desired.
This was a nice meal for such a bitter cold day. I can't believe that they are calling for a 50 degree high on Sunday when today it was below zero.
1 can low sodium beef broth
1 envelope onion/mushroom soup mix
2 soup cans of water
1 small onion chopped
1 cup corn
3/4 cup frozen collard greens (estimate as it was the end of the bag)
1.5 cups frozen broccoli (again, estimate as it was the end of a huge bag)
1 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped carrots
3 tbls fresh parsley
3 shakes of the black pepper
3 shakes of the worcheshire sauce
2 small handfuls noninstant rice (estimate about 2/3 of cup)
2-3 servings of frozen turkey meatballs (mine were 6 per serving and I put 15 in the soup pot. These were the fit and active Aldi turkey meatballs so they have a bit of a smokey flavor)
additional chopped parsley
grated/shredded parma cheese (to your taste)
Place the soup mix, broth, water, veggies, and rice in the soup pot. Start the heat and heat to boiling. Add pepper, parsley, and worcheshire sauce. Simmer until the meat balls are heated through and the rice is tender. Stir in additional parsley. Serve and top bowls with cheese if desired.
This was a nice meal for such a bitter cold day. I can't believe that they are calling for a 50 degree high on Sunday when today it was below zero.
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