The Dramedy of Life

It's Official! I've Moved!

2006-07-16T23:53:00.000-04:00

I have given up crappy Blogger to go to my own place with Wordpress! You'll automatically be redirected in 10 seconds to my new URL which is www.thedramedyoflife.com.

Please update your bookmarks or blogrolls if I'm lucky enough to still be in them! :o) So head on over and tell me what you think!

Applesauce Mmmmmm

2006-07-09T20:49:00.000-04:00

I have been lucky enough to learn to make homemade applesauce and this year I was lucky enough to help not one person but two, put their stores up for the winter. And I'm not being sarcastic for once. I mean it. It was fun and so easy that everyone ought to stop buying that horrible stuff from the store.

My Mom and my Grandma have been making applesauce for as long as I can remember. I don't think there was ever store bought applesauce in our house ever. My Dad used to (and occasionally still does) tell us stories about what sometimes gets into those huge commercial vats of applesauce. We had a plant in our town. I won't spoil your enjoyment of store bought applesauce with the disgusting tales that have me going pale when people put it on their table.

My Mom makes her thick and a little coarse. Grams makes hers thinner and sweeter. Anyway you spoon it up, it's all good. We use Transparent Apples for our recipe. They are verrrry tart if you try to eat them. We core and quarter them then put them into a big stock pot with several cups of water (depending on the size of the batch and what constancy you like your applesauce) and let them come to a boil. After they have essentially become mush, you put them through a Foley Food Mill which separates the pulp from the peel. You add sugar to taste and then package it up. It freezes well if you let it cool before storing it.

We were scammed one year and instead of getting transparent apples, we were sold lode-eye apples which look essentially the same. They are freakin' disgusting. They leave an after-taste that will have you swearing off of any applesauce for a while. I'm sort of interested in trying to make applesauce from Golden Delicious or Granny Smith. Maybe I'll try a small batch on my own. I don't usually get into the canning and preparing of bulk foods like this, but applesauce is fun and it's probably something that I will hand down to my friends' kids since I'm not planning on having them myself.

I did 2 bushels of apples total and I'm looking forward to eating my share this winter! Do you guys have any family traditions with food that you hand down through the generations? We have a few, but this one is the most time intensive one.

MIA, a Birthday & News

2006-07-05T00:29:00.000-04:00

I'm still around! I've actually been working on some stuff and just haven't had a chance to post in a while and well hell, I'll just be honest -- a part of me has been feeling realllly lazy lately.

Yesterday, while everyone was celebrating the birth of our nation, I was celebrating my Gram's 84th birthday. I want to be just like her when I grow up! If you met her you would never, ever guess her age. She's active and her mind is very agile -- sometimes too agile! -- it's hard to get things past her. She fantastic! So Happy Birthday again, Grams! Dinner was lovely and it inspired me to buy my own lamb chops today.

My news: I have a new computer that doesn't have jack on it yet. None of my personal pics, none of my personal files, etc, etc and it's driving me batty. I can't find the CD for my printer, so to add to insult and injury, I can't print a single darn thing.

On to happier news...It's official! I am moving this puppy to it's own domain, probably within the next week. The wonderful Lysie is designing my new home and I can't wait! So stay tuned for the move! I have new things in store for the blog and I'll actually *gasp* update it regularly!!!

My Manners Suck

2006-07-01T14:50:00.000-04:00

I completely forgot to welcome Chatty to the Dramedy this week! She's another favorite that I have been too lazy to take off my bookmarks and actually put her in my blogroll. She talks about anything and everything over at her blog Whatchu Tawkin Bout. So please, be a good Dramedy reader and give her a try.

I'll have more posts coming soon, I swear! I know of at least three I have waiting in the wings. Happy 4th everyone!

The Happy Couple

2006-06-26T17:44:00.000-04:00

The wedding was sooooo much fun! Everything went relatively smoothly and there are a couple parts I'll go into greater detail about later this week, but all in all, it was a blast. The rain held off just long enough for the ceremony to finish and to get outside shots and then the storm let 'er rip! Rain is good luck at a wedding right?

D & Cam wrote their own vows which were so pretty that it made me tear up. Of course it made Cam cry -- even though she promised she wouldn't unless her mom started first, but we all know about those kind of promises! The temperature was a thousand times better than what we experienced for the rehearsal. The rehearsal was like being roasted on an open spit. It was 90+ degrees and the sun was beating down on us, but the wedding cooled off considerably and it was great. I got to meet some of Cam and D's family and friends. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I'm posting a few of my favorite pics this week.

The happy couple should now be sunning themselves in the Dominican Republic and I hope they are not fretting over their basement -- which flooded last night because of all the storms we've been having. Bettina and I are keeping an eye out on the house this week and it looks pretty good so far. Well that's my weekend in a nutshell. Gotta run.

50 Things

2006-06-25T19:12:00.000-04:00

Some Girl tagged me and I thought, "Why not?"

1. What curse word do you use the most? Probably the F-bomb
2. Do you own an iPod? Nope
3. Who on your MySpace “Top 8” do you talk to the most? I only have a My Space account so I can comment on one friend’s blog.
4. What time is your alarm clock set for? 7:00
5. What color is your room? Purple
6. Flip flops or sneakers? Flip flops in the summer, sneakers in the winter
7. Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture? Take them
8. What was the last movie you watched? X-Men III
9. Do any of your friends have children? Yes
10. Has anyone ever called you lazy? Sure
11. Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster? Yes
12. What CD is currently in your CD player? Last of the Mohicans
13. Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk? Chocolate
14. Has anyone told you a secret this week? Yup
15. Have you ever given someone a hickey? Yes
16. Who was the last person to call you? Teresa
17. Do you think people talk about you behind your back? Probably
18. Did you watch cartoons as a child? Yes. I loved She-Ra and Voltron
19. How many siblings do you have? 1
20. Are you shy around the opposite sex? Sometimes
21. What movie do you know every line to? Clueless
22. Do you own any band t-shirts? I might have an old NKOTB shirt somewhere
23. What is your favorite salad dressing? Red French
24. Do you read for fun? Yes
25. Do you cry a lot? I sure do!
26. Who was the last person to text message you? Verizon with a 411 #
27. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop? Both
28. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoo? Piercings – hell no, a tat – I’d love one but can’t think of what I would want to permanently put on my body. Oh and there is the PAIN factor that keeps me from seriously thinking about it.
29. What is the weather like? Raining
30. Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos? Not someone like the Illustrated Man, but a few would be okay.
31. Is sex before marriage wrong? Nope
32. When was the last time you slept on the floor? Cam’s Bachelorette Party
33. How many hours of sleep do you need to function? 6
34. Are you in love or lust? Nope
35. Are your days full and fast-paced? Hmmm, sometimes
36. Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages? I read them but will still eat it.
37. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 32
38. Are you picky about spelling and grammar? Yes, Yes, Yes!
39. Have you ever been to Six Flags? Nope
40. Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex? Probably opposite, but I have some GREAT girl-friends!
41. Do you like cottage cheese? Mmmm, with pineapple absolutely
42. Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back? Side
43. Have you ever bid for something on eBay? Is the Pope Catholic?
44. Do you enjoy giving hugs? Yes
45. What song did you last sing out loud? Celebration
46. What is your favorite TV show? Veronica Mars
47. Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with? Jensen Ackles
48. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach? Last night before Cam’s wedding ceremony.
49. What one thing do you wish you had? A Size 12 or better body
50. Favorite lyrics? Suspicious Minds - Elvis

I'm tagging: Crystal, Jane, & Erin. No pressure though.

Mystic Tan and Wedding Bells

2006-06-23T00:36:00.000-04:00

It's almost time for Cam and Daron to tie the knot! Just a couple of days left. Since the big day was coming fast, I thought I would try out Mystic Tan because the dresses are strapless and I was white as a sheet. I went for my first visit last week and boy was that fun. The video was super boring but I was the guinea pig first because Cam had an appointment later that night. So I wanted to relay any important info.

I put the stupid booties on -- big mistake, they left a mark! 14 seconds seemed like a year and I started gulping air like a fish out of water. I just want to say that Mystic Tan tastes bad -- very, very bad. Once the initial spray stopped I turned around so afraid I wouldn't be ready for the machine to do my back. So very afraid that I opened my eyes to get my balance (yeah I know that makes a lot of sense) and then forgot to close them. All I could think of was that my thighs were touching and there was going to be a white spot because of it. Then all I could think about was that my eyes were going to be a mess from keeping them open. I shut them about 3 seconds before the spray stopped. Smart me keeps them closed and I tried frantically to get out of the friggin'' booth. I couldn't remember if the door swung out or in. It was the first time I actually felt a little claustrophobic. I've decided that I don't like feeling trapped -- at all.

I was slightly orangish brown until I took a shower later that night and the next day I was pretty pleased with the result. It only lasted about 4 days and then it faded completely. I went back tonight and didn't wear booties, kept my eyes shut the entire time and only gulped air a few times. All in all it was a successful venture. I'll probably go back and do that right before the cruise next year. It's not something I'll indulge in beyond that. I like being tan, but I like being outside better. Plus the sun is free, Mystic Tan sure ain't. If you've been thinking of trying it, I say go for it! My place had a deal: Buy a session for $25 and get the second free. It was pretty good.

Well, I'll be MIA until Sunday. Go visit Laci, my renter, she'll keep you company!

Some Days I Just Want to Rip My Arms Off and Beat Myself With Them

2006-06-20T22:37:00.000-04:00

You ever have those days when you think you're speaking plain and articulate English, but that it must be coming out in some language you picked up when you were abducted by aliens and taken to their home galaxy, because the person you are speaking to just isn't effin' getting it? Well, I had one of those days.

I have an employee. We'll call her Pain In the Ass (PIA for short) who I speak to all the time about showing up to her job when I schedule her, not when she feels like strolling in. I have this talk with her at least once a week. I know, I know, you're thinking, "Why the hell do you keep her?" I ask myself that very question every effin' day. Might be because I have no one to replace her with and unfortunately, while she's a huge pain in MY ass, a lot of her clients thinks PIA walks on water. So, for their sakes, I have been holding on (somewhat) to my temper, but I am just about done.

Her native language is Spanish. Pia's been here over 25 freakin' years, but she still has a hard time grasping the language, especially over the phone. Not to say that she doesn't know what's going on. Ohhhhh no. She just uses her lack of "proper" English to pretend she doesn't understand exactly what I'm trying to say. I have seriously thought about getting my spiel translated, just so I can yell at her in a different language, because my native tongue ain't working. I'm sure it's very difficult to understand the concept, "If you are going to be late or not show up to work you must call me immediately." Yeah, it's really an existential thought that requires much deliberating.

So, here it is in Spanish. I have a rudimentary knowledge from High School and College days. I can understand it better than I can speak it, but I think I can stumble admirably through, "Si usted va a ser tarde o no demostracion hasta trabajo usted debe llamarme inmediatamente." That's pretty wordy and if I remembered my lessons better I could shorten that considerably, but it'll do the job.

Please feel free to share your own PIA story. I know I'm not the only one, eh?

Click & Comment Monday and Laci

2006-06-19T09:45:00.000-04:00

Today looks like it's going to be a gorgeous day! It's gonna be hot, but I guess I'm ready for these sweltering summer days. Today is Click & Comment Monday and I chose a new renter just in time to participate! I know you've seen her in the blogworld and I know you want to go say hello! Please welcome Laci from Long, Slow, Beautiful Dance. She's enthralled with the SIMS and she's contemplating the 24 hour blogathon that's looming on the horizon. She'll need a lot of support, so go over and check her out!

I watched a movie that I didn't have very high hopes for this weekend and was actually entertained. Cry Wolf is a thriller that came out last summer and usually, I'm hesitant to watch modern day thrillers because it's always just about the guts and gore and not about scaring my mind. The first 15 minutes were a bit rough and I thought "Uh-oh!" but then the movie sucked me in and I completely didn't see the ending coming. I might even try to catch a repeat tonight to see what I may have missed while being totally engrossed. So, if you are looking for a movie that has a twist, catch this one on rental.

And now on to Click & Comment Monday!

On Mondays, Cat has Click & Comment Day. She posted this to remind you how important it is to comment on other blogs. It truly DOES increase your readership and you most often gain regulars that will visit your blog day after day.

What I encourage is for you to click my renter. Then, you comment on the blog and click their renter or someone on their blogroll. Then you comment on that blog and click their renter or someone on their blogroll. Do this for as many blogs as you can. Sometimes they go full circle, and you end up at the originating blog, then just look up a blog in the blogroll and start the cycle again.

So, let’s get started! Comment here and I’ll either add your name and link to my post or use an auto-link program and let you add your own.

I really encourage you to do this at least to 5 comments if you have ANY time at all. It will give you the joy of sharing a few of your opinions on posts and bring you future readers.

Thanks and enjoy Click & Comment Day!

Enjoy! I’m going to try to do this each Monday. Why not start your week off right?

5 Things - Thanks to Gidget!

2006-06-17T19:00:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged, which is okay this time, Miss Gidge, because I haven't had much to say.

5 Things in My Refrigerator:

Water
Strawberries
Eggs
Honey Nut Cream Cheese
Limes

5 Things in My Closet:

Hmmmm, I have three closets...

Bookcase w/books in my bedroom
Clothes
Shoes (in the spare)
Craft Supplies
Christmas Decorations (in my office closet)

5 Things in My Purse:

Cell Phone
Checkbook
Lipstick
My "other" Keyring
Tube of Stephanie's Lip Balm

5 Things in My Car:

Windshield Shade
Crate for Notebooks
Gloves for the Aides
CDs
Air Freshner

5 People That Get Tagged:

I'm not going to tag a full five. Anyone needing something to blog about can use this and say I tagged you!

Devilish Girl

Soda

Weight Loss Wednesday 6/14/06

2006-06-14T20:57:00.000-04:00

So, I'm back for another installment and this week I'm in a holding pattern. I didn't gain and I didn't lose and that suits me just fine. I thought I had lost 3 lbs, but my scales said differently when I did the official weigh-in this morning.

I was fitted for a bridesmaid's dress and the seamstress told me not to gain or lose an ounce. After the wedding on the 24th, I'll be trying the South Beach diet in earnest. I started it once before and it made me feel great as I eat waaaaay to many carbs and sugars.

I've taken some of your guys' advice and I keep bottles of water in the fridge at all times so I can grab and go. The Brita doesn't really work for me because I still think my water tastes nasty even after it's filtered. I actually miss working out on the elliptical machine. I think I'll do 15 minutes a day just to keep in the habit and that's not enough exercise to lose with.

I have found heaven in the Lean Cuisine Spaghetti with Meat sauce entre. Very delicious and low cal, but there's those carbs again!

I tried MysticTan and I'll share the experience when Blogger gets their crap together because I can't take anymore posting like this until they are done.

I'll Be Back Tomorrow

2006-06-13T21:02:00.000-04:00

I'm working on some stuff and will be back tomorrow, but in the meantime go give some love to Chelle, my renter. She was one of the first landlords to ever give me a home and now that she's back on the blogging circuit after having TWINS, I thought I'd give her a home. She's not your typical Mommy-blogger, so banish that thought from your head! She's great. Go say hello right now and I'll see you guys tomorrow!

Where the Heck is the Bill Fairy When You Need Her?

2006-06-09T17:08:00.000-04:00

If you leave bills stacked up on the coffee table, at what point do they magically get paid by the Bill Fairy? Cuz, she's a little behind in visiting my house and that's not good. Not good at all.

If she doesn't visit my house by tomorrow morning that means I have to sit down and actually balance the checkbook and write out all the stuff. Okay, not alllll the stuff, because I am one that uses billpay, but there will be some writing and mailing happening.

If you see the Bill Fairy, tell that lazy git that I'm waiting and if she comes tonight there's some Cherry Garcia in it for her.

It's FOAD Thursday!

2006-06-08T22:28:00.000-04:00

This FOAD was a no brainer. Blogger and all its geniuses get the award. Of course this may end up being posted late because it’s been down almost all day today!!!! This is what happens with FREE, I guess.

I'd like to recognize the J. Peterman look-alike with a Maryland license plate, beginning with GNS that almost sideswiped me on the toll road today also gets the prestigious FOAD award. Your shiny black and very sleek Mercedes convertible was gorgeous, until you decided to try and swap a little paint with me. Next time attempt to drive and check your blind spot, instead of talking on your cell phone and just merging as you please into my lane. Asswipe.

Weight Loss Wednesday 6/7/06

2006-06-07T10:19:00.000-04:00

I've only lost one pound this week, but I'll take it! I'm tackling two very big changes right now. Exercising one to two times per day on my elliptical machine and also portion control. Honestly, it's the portion control that's getting me down. A couple of months ago I had pretty much trained myself with Lean Cuisine meals and lost quite a bit of weight, but then I slowly started making my own stuff and started over eating again. Not to mention that I also have been doing some emotional eating of ice-cream.

Water intake is another thing that I need to tackle. I really need to make sure I'm getting enough water each day. I like water very cold. And I am extremely picky about water coming out of the tap. Mostly it's just blech. This week, I'm concentrating doubly hard on water and portions. I'm doing the elliptical machine and I like it. Probably after this week, I'll introduce a Denise Austin workout to keep me from getting bored.

So how is everyone else doing with their weightloss strategies?

Click & Comment Monday with a Cat Dilemma

2006-06-05T10:38:00.000-04:00

Hey there! Hope everyone had a spectacular weekend! If you're here because of click and comment Monday, welcome and here's my suggestion for the next click. If you could stick around long enough to add your 2 cents about the cat problem, I'd appreciate it!

All my regular readers know that I am a 100% dog fan. Maybe it's because I am 100% allergic to cats that keep me from being overly fond of the crafty felines. I range from two reactions to cats, depending on each one individually. I either only have sneezing fits, watery-itchy eyes and feel the need to scratch my skin or I break out all over with hives. It just depends.

Well, there is this cutie in the neighborhood that I have had adopt me (sorta) at least when it suits her. I have named her Isis and I'm 99% sure she's a "she." Isis isn't really afraid of people -- she's a little skittish -- but will come up and just love on you. She seems fairly healthy (I think she may be a tad skinny, but I think she's young so that might account for her overall smallness.) and the first time I tried to feed her she got very offended with the offering. But now, she happily eats what I provide. I'm pretty sure she is totally an outdoor cat. She doesn't have a collar I see her late at night (around midnight) and then in the mornings I will see her in the tall grass in the common areas.

Here's my question. I would take her in a heartbeat, but I just can't with my allergies. I'm worried that she's not being responsibly taken care of by whomever made her an outdoor cat. I don't know if she has been spayed because I can't pick her up and cradle her to see. I'm doubting that she has had her shots. I think she would make some wonderful cat person a great cat, but I'm going to feel a bit guilty if Isis is the cat of one of the people around here that just happen to suck as pet owners. What would you do? Take her to a shelter (I would probably take her to the one my sister works at so I could still keep tabs on her)? Leave her be and continue feeding her? I don't agree with people being able to have outside cats. 1) I can't just let my dog outside all day to do whatever she wants and 2) There are so many things that can happen to the cat and you not know about it. It would be one thing if we all lived in the country and had a barn they could hang out at, but it's a community that has several cats hanging around, moving vehicles etc, etc. Maybe one of you readers would like her? If you live close to Martinsburg, WV or to Reston, Tysons Corner or McLean, then let me know. I could suffer long enough to bring her to someone.

I just don't know what to do. But you know what they say, "If you aren't part of the solution, you're just part of the problem" and I would love to find this cat a home where she would be loved.

34 Bidders and the Winner Is.....

2006-06-03T13:09:00.000-04:00

The Write Jerry! I had so many bidders that I couldn't list them all. I hate having to choose from all the bidders. I feel it's mean when you have to deny the other people. There were so many that I liked! So if you bid, don't take it personally and bid again next time. Eventually, I will get everyone a spot.

Anyway, back to Jerry. I love the way he writes. It's smart and entertaining. His blog is always changing in content. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious. Right now he's talking about his ending love affair with comics and with being used and abused. A great read! So go there, right now, and tell him hello!

Weight Loss Wednesday 5/31/06

2006-05-31T21:14:00.000-04:00

I'm just going to put it out there. Now I have to be accountable. I want to lose a total of 87 lbs. I've been really slack on the exercising lately and I have my beautiful new dust catcher that has seen all of two weeks worth of labor. Since the summer is notorious about putting on repeats and I've pretty much seen everything worth seeing during the regular season, it's time to exercise to my Buffy dvds.

I just got my pictures back from my cousin's wedding and I hate, hate, hate that I'm so big in them. It's time to invest in a full length mirror. In my minds eye, I'm still the girl who won the 100m High Hurdles for the District Championship my junior year. Not the sloth I have become. Plus, I have the cruise to get ready for. I do not want to be in the Caribbean all embarrassed to be seen in a bathing suit. It's probably too late not to be fat for Cam's wedding, but I can say that losing 19lbs has felt good. I just wish it would melt off! :o)

I'm not one of those that thinks she's going to get back to her high school weight. I also know that it didn't take me a month to put the weight on so it's going to take months to get off -- at least the healthy way. I need to go back to eating nothing but Lean Cuisines and grilled veggies. Discipline is not a strong suit of mine, so it's time I worked hard on that. So, you guys are going to be burdened with my accountability every Wednesday. And hopefully, I'll do better with this than I did Melissa's Flubber Buddy Tuesday!

Please, feel free to share your own weight loss stories, tips and such! I'd be glad to support anyone else in their weight loss efforts!

Why Can't We Be Like The Jetsons?

2006-05-31T16:26:00.000-04:00

I'm a lazy person at heart. Why can't my kitchen be like the Jetson's? I have some wonderful gadgets and I want to be able to push a few buttons and it goes to my fridge, gets out the necessary stuff and whips my favorite foods up for me in minutes.

Why haven't we gotten there yet? We can put men and women on the moon. We can get up close and personal pictures of other planets and their moons. We have the technology to make the bloomin' onion perfect every time! Why isn't there a Jetson's kitchen???

Of course I guess the next best thing to a Jetson's kitchen is a housekeeper. Well, I moved out of my sister's place because I wanted my own space, so a live in housekeeper is not an option. But if I could buy a Rosie that would solve everything! Again. The Jetson's had it made.

I'm not looking forward to the day we all fly our own little hover crafts to work, cuz damn, there are too many drivers that haven't managed to figure out how to drive on solid pavement yet. But the rest of it? Yeah, I'm ready for the future to be NOW!

Please Give Some Love to Noi!

2006-05-28T22:38:00.000-04:00

This week's new renter is Noi from Voicing My Thoughts. Noi has a wonderful new blog started on Blogger and she's still in the tweaking stages so go bye and let her know what you think of her new home! I enjoy reading Noi's posts as she is extremely thoughtful and intelligent. I think once you read her, you'll be putting her on your must read blogging list. Or maybe you'll be lazy like me and put her under your favorites because you only update your blogroll once in a blue moon. Either way, you'll want to read more of her!

Life's Simple Pleasures

2006-05-26T22:36:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Gidget, I have been tagged to list some of my favorite simple pleasures. Which I told her would be a challenge with my poor attitude lately. But, maybe this will actually do some good. I'm supposed to tag people to do this, but instead I invite you to list one or more of the simple things in life that give you pleasure.

Real Quick: Please go visit my renter Noi. I'm getting together her welcome post but wanted to pimp for her on this post.

These are in no particular order:

1) Lying in bed and during those last drowsy moments before sleep, hearing the crickets and frogs sing a lullaby.

2) Being able to hug and kiss my family freely and letting them know that I love them very much.

3) Having someone brush my hair after a stressful day.

4) Watching Savannah sleep.

5) Waking up to Savannah kisses.

6) Cooking and having the dish come out just right.

7) Being able to communicate with all my blogging buddies.

8) Owning my own home.

9) Watching baby animals.

10) Having fresh flowers in my home.

So that's all I can think of right now. Now it's your turn!!

Posting Blues

2006-05-24T22:58:00.000-04:00

Lately, I just haven't had much to post about. I'm a pretty private person, really, and while I've been going through some things -- emotionally speaking -- I haven't felt comfortable sharing them. Hence, me not posting for quite a while. Or at least not really posting much if substance.

I feel like I'm stuck. I'm not unhappy, but I'm not happy either. I haven't been sleeping well. Work has been meh. Some good days and then some like today. Which sucked terribly. There are days when I have very mean thoughts for some of my elderly clients. That may get me a seat on the bus to hell, but right now, I just don't care.

I know that if I want things to happen I gotta get out there and make them happen. I guess that scares me a bit. I'm not scared of change. Change is good and it keeps a little spice in life, I can roll with the flow pretty well -- as long as I don't have to initiate that flow.

Maybe it's just Spring Madness. That awful cabin fever type itch deep down inside. I just don't know. I'm going to be making some lists. Try to figure out what is bugging me. What I need to do to be happier. What is actually really making me unhappy. I need to find the root cause and I don't like deep introspection cuz I'm never happy with what I find.

It may mean taking a hiatus from the blog. It may end up that I actually start posting deep stuff that nobody really wants to read anyway. I just don't know. But thanks to all my ~~five~~ diehard friends that have stuck with this blog through the awful dreck of the past few weeks! **Kisses!!!**

Yeah, I Got Your Soul Patrol Right Here

2006-05-24T00:41:00.000-04:00

My next to last American Idol recap is up at Fluff. If you're a Taylor fan you're probably not going to like what I had to say...

Did I Say That?

2006-05-22T18:54:00.000-04:00

T from The T Stop has started a forum for fun and friendly people. There's a little bit of everything going on there -- recipes, blogging topics, bitching & moaning, etc, etc. It's a fun place and ALLLLL the cool kids are doing it. You don't have to have a blog to join, like I said it's for fun. So head on over to Did I Say That? and register yourself TODAY! We'd love to hit the 50 members mark by midnight tonight!

Click & Comment Monday

2006-05-22T11:06:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! Today would be a great day to participate in C&C Monday! Erin over at Pupsickle is feeling a little lonely and would love a comment or two!

FOX Announces Its Fall Schedule

2006-05-22T03:43:00.000-04:00

Staying:
Again too many shows to list -- cuz I'm lazy like that!

Going:
Arrested Development, Killer Instinct, Kitchen Confidential, Malcolm in the Middle and That 70's Show

Joining the Party:
Duets (Simon Cowell anyone?), Happy Hour, Justice (Kerr Smith and Spy Daddy! I might have to watch this one...), On the Lot, Standoff, Til Death, Vanished, The Wedding Album and The Winner.

Fox of course can't give us just a regular schedule. Oh no, they always have to be difficult. This schedule is good through January. I'm not posting January through May because we all know how those ~~pricks~~ executives like to cancel shows at the drop of a hat or change things around and I'm not going to waste my typing fingers.

MONDAY:
8-9 Prison Break
9-10 Vanished

TUESDAY:
8-9 Standoff
9-10 House

WEDNESDAY:
8-9 Bones
9-10 Justice

THURSDAY:
8-8:30 'Til Death
8:30-9 Happy Hour
9-10 The O.C.

FRIDAY:
8-9 Nanny 911
9-10 Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy

SATURDAY:
8-8:30 COPS
8:30-9 COPS
9-10 America's Most Wanted: America Strikes Back
11-12 MADtv
12-12:30 Talk Show with Spike Feresten

SUNDAY:
7-7:30 FOOTBALL OVERRUN (COMEDY ENCORES)
7:30-8 FOOTBALL OVERRUN (COMEDY ENCORES)
8-8:30 The Simpsons
8:30-9 American Dad
9-9:30 Family Guy
9:30-10 The War at Home

The Da Vinci Code

2006-05-20T15:34:00.000-04:00

No Spoilers In This Review.

I can now say "Been There, Done That!"

I read the book at least three years ago and was enthralled. I love mysteries that suck you in and then make you part of the hunt. I love it when an author can take basic non-fiction ideas and then run with it and make you believe that it's all true. I'm not approaching this review from a religious viewpoint. All I can say is that it's interesting and there are non-fiction works he pulled his ideas from and some of those are interesting too.

To enjoy this movie, you do not need to have read the book! There are no inside jokes that only the readers will understand or plot points that are glossed over with the expectation that you have read the book.

I maintain that Tom Hanks makes a shitty Robert Langdon, but I knew that as soon as he was announced. That character needs someone a bit younger, a bit more charismatic and a little more wordly and less wholesome. Sorry, Tom, you may pull in the box office numbers, but you just weren't right for this role. Paul Bettany does an excellent job as Silas, an albino monk, and Ian McKellen, while not my personal vision of Lee Teebing, was marvelous.

The movie was well paced and it didn't feel like it was 2 and half hours long. I didn't fidget and even the children in the theater were quiet. I would have liked to have had a little more screen time with the art pieces, but I guess I'll just have to go to the Louvre and see them for myself. It treats the religious viewpoint much more delicately than the book does and it's fiction, people!!! If you want to see a good mystery, this is a good movie!

Of course the movie does stray from the book (what book to movie doesn't) but it's quite enjoyable. I highly recommend seeing the movie then reading the book.

Please Help Me Welcome Erin!

2006-05-20T10:58:00.000-04:00

Erin is my newest renter and she is the owner of Pupsickle. I've had my eye on her blog for a while now and she's a new renter for me. Erin lives in Alaska -- where my father wants to live after retirement. She's a college student working on her thesis and just living a normal life. And I'm ashamed to say that I am a lurker at her site (her current posts are about lurkers specifically in Fairbanks) so go visit and don't be like me...actually leave her a message and welcome her from The Dramedy!!

So I'm a Day Late...

2006-05-19T08:51:00.000-04:00

I know the whole point of F.O.A.D. Thursday is to, well, have it on Thursday, but I was too ~~lazy~~ tired to post it yesterday.

My F.O.A.D. Thursday is dedicated to the man who owns the driving range next to our houses. A golf ball went through the back windshield of a neighbor's car and completely smashed it. If you could see the angle of her townhouse/car to the driving range you would understand that it takes an extremely piss-poor golfer (or just a calculated ass) to achieve that angle. The owner says he's not responsible for things like this. That each golfer is individually responsible. My next door neighbor has seen people turning to angle to HIT the houses (younger dumbasses) and that's where I get pissed. The driving range is open 365, 24/7 and it's unattended. I don't understand why we can't fight the owner to at least have an attendant physically on duty during the hours of operation. Accidents happen by shitty golfers, but you could put an end to the ones betting with their buddies that they can hit "that house" over there.

So Fuck You, Mr. Driving Range owner, for your unattended business and for the letter you sent out last year promising that you were going to raise the net another 20 feet and then not doing it. Just remember what goes around comes around...

CBS Announces Its Fall Schedule

2006-05-17T18:54:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't posted anything meaty on here in a while, but honestly I'm all about the finales and upfronts for the time being. This blog will have lots of media pieces for at least the next week or two.

Today was CBS's day to announce its' fall line-up. Who's staying, who's going and which pilots have been picked up.

Staying:
Way too many freakin' shows to list!!!!!

Going:
Threshold and Yes, Dear

Joining the Party:
The Class, Creature Comforts, Jericho, Rules of Engagement, Shark, Smith and Waterfront.

Here's how the viewing week shapes up.

MONDAY:
8-8:30 How I Met Your Mother
8:30-9 The Class
9-9:30 Tow and a Half Men
9:30-10 The New Adventures of Old Christine
10-11 CSI: Miami

TUESDAY:
8-9 NCIS
9-10 The Unit
10-11 Smith

WEDNESDAY:
8-9 Jericho
9-10 Criminal Minds
10-11 CSI: NY

THURSDAY:
8-9 Survivor
9-10 CSI
10-11 Shark

FRIDAY:
8-9 Ghost Whisperer
9-10 Close to Home
10-11 Numb3rs

SATURDAY:
8-10 Crimetime Saturday
10-11 48 Hours: Mystery

SUNDAY:
7-8 60 Minutes
8-9 The Amazing Race
9-10 Cold Case
10-11 Without a Trace

Help Me Say Goodbye to Dawn

2006-05-17T09:24:00.000-04:00

Dawn will be leaving later today, so go tell her goodbye. She been a good tenant -- quiet as a mouse -- so I've had no problems with sleep-walking!

ABC Announces Its Fall Schedule

2006-05-16T18:02:00.000-04:00

Today was ABC's day to announce its fall line-up. Who's staying, who's going and which pilots have been picked up.

Staying:
Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Dancing with the Stars, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Boston Legal, The Bachelor, Supernanny, What About Brian, According to Jim, America's Funniest Home Videos, American Inventor, Wife Swap, George Lopez and 20/20.

Going:
Alias, Commander in Chief, The Evidence, Freddie, Hope & Faith, In Justice, Invasion, Less Than Perfect, Rodney and Sons & Daughters

Joining the Party:
Brothers & Sisters, Day Break, The Nine, Six Degrees, Traveler, Betty the Ugly, Big Day, Help Me Help You, In Case of Emergency, Let's Rob..., Notes From the Underbelly, Greg Behrendt's Wake-Up Call, Just for Laughs, Set for the Rest of Your Life and Men in Trees.

Here's the breakdown of the viewing week.

Monday:
8-9 Wife Swap
9-10 The Bachelor/Supernanny
10-11 What ABout Brian

Tuesday:
8-9 Dancing with the Stars/Set for the Rest of Your Life
9-9:30 Let's Rob...
9:30-10 Help Me Help You
10-11 Boston Legal

Wednesday:
8-9 Dancing with the Stars/George Lopez/According to Jim
9-10 Lost
10-11 The Nine

Thursday:
8-8:30 Big Day
8:30-9 Notes From the Underbelly
9-10 Grey's Anatomy
10-11 Six Degrees

Friday:
8-9 Betty the Ugly
9-10 Men in Trees
10-11 20/20

Saturday:
8-11 ABC Saturday Night College Football

Sunday:
7-8 America's Funniest Home Videos
8-9 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9-10 Desperate Housewives
10-11 Brothers & Sisters

I think it sucks that In Justice was cancelled. I really enjoyed that on Friday nights! I'm not surprised to see The Evidence bite it or Freddie for that matter.

NBC Announces Its Fall Schedule

2006-05-15T23:26:00.000-04:00

Today was NBC's day to announce it's fall line-up. Who's staying, who's going and who's coming on board.

Staying:
Deal or No Deal, Medium, Law & Order: SVU, The Biggest Loser, Law & Order, My Name is Earl, The Office, Las Vegas, Law & Order: CI, Dateline, Scrubs, ER, Crossing Jordan and The Apprentice

Going:
Surface, E-Ring, West Wing, Will & Grace, Four Kings, Teachers, Heist, Celebrity Cooking Showdown

Joining the Party:
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Kidnapped, 20 Good Years, 30 Rock, The Black Donnellys, Football Night in America, Sunday Night Football, America's Got Talent, Raines, The Singles Table and Andy Barker, PI.

So here is what your NBC schedule will look like:

Monday:
8-9 Deal or No Deal
9-10 Heroes
10-11 Medium

Tuesday:
8-9 Friday Night Lights
9-10 Kidnapped
10-11 Law & Order: SVU

Wednesday:
8-9 The Biggest Loser
9-9:30 20 Good Years
9:30-10 30 Rock
10-11 Law & Order

Thursday:
8-8:30 My Name is Earl
8:30-9 The Office
9-10 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
10-11 ER/The Black Donnellys (in Jan 2007)

Friday:
8-9 Deal or No Deal
9-10 Las Vegas
10-11 Law & Order: CI

Saturday:
8-9 Dateline Saturday
9-11 Drama Series Encores

Sunday:
7-8 Football Night in America
8-11 Sunday Night Football

More on the Panda Saga

2006-05-15T15:33:00.000-04:00

Today, while I was out walking Savannah, I met Mrs. C and Beanie, her Bichon Frise. After a few minutes of pleasantries, Mrs. C started talking about how Beanie had been attacked by Panda last September and almost didn't make it. I had known that there had been an attack prior to ours (thanks to my neighbor across the street) but I didn't know exactly who it was. Well, now I do and poor Beanie has places where hair will never grow again.

Mrs. C told me all about the attack. She too had been walking past their house when the dog ran out of their yard and attacked Beanie. After a few weeks of staying at the vet's, having shunts placed all over her body and also living through her stomach wound being re-opened to make sure it was draining properly, Beanie came home. This happened before Panda's mom had moved into the house. Back then it was just Panda's Dad and his brother.

Those sleazoids actually tried to say that Mrs. C had been walking Beanie in their yard and Panda was just protecting the yard. Actually she was in the road on the opposite side of the house. Thankfully she had witnesses. To make a long story short, she had to take them to court for the vet bills and court fees. In court, Mrs. C tried to point out that Panda was a danger to the neighborhood because guess what?!?!?! Panda had attacked yet another dog in Mrs. C's street! So Beanie, Savannah and this other dog make three since last September!! Panda's Dad obviously is an idiot for not keeping the dog on a leash or on a lead while at the house. In court he and his brother actually tried to say that they don't understand why people out here expect them to have the dog on a leash. BECAUSE IT'S THE LAW MORONS!!!!!!!!

She told me she wished that she had known about our attack because they had tried to say nothing like this has ever happened before with Panda. I gave her my street address and told her to contact me if she ended up back in court for an appeal -- if she needed someone else to come forward as a witness to more Panda antics. So no more Mrs. Nice Guy. I told her my plans for calling Animal Control whenever I see any dog in the neighborhood off leash and especially Panda. She agreed and she said she wished she had known about the almost attack last weekend. She thought she heard something, but she thought it was the heathen children across her street just yelling and making noise. Nope, that was me.

The magistrate told her that in order for the dog to be deemed dangerous, it would have to attack a human. That's just not right that a child or adult has to suffer before action can be taken against Panda.

If you're interested in the whole story, here's the links to the rest of it...
Panda 1
Panda 2
Panda 3

Click & Comment Monday and Free Stuff

2006-05-15T11:01:00.000-04:00

Just a short post to remind everyone that it's Click & Comment Monday where you click on a renter's box, read a couple entries and comment, or if you get stuck, pick a blog from their blogroll.

Here's two FREE contests and such that I have seen/know about in the blogosphere. Go enter. It's Free!

1) Fluff is running a contest for 50 Blog Explosion Credits. All you have to do is go here and post who you think will be the next American Idol.

2) Consult a Goddess is running a contest for a free Blogger or BlogCharm template. Go tell them why you think you should win and why you haven't purchased one for yourself.

Security Issues

2006-05-12T22:53:00.000-04:00

Heh, I bet you guys thought I was going to get all political and talk about our government compiling a call log, but nope, I'm talking about something a little more closer to home...little things that made/make us feel secure.

For example, I grew up with "my pillow" and I sucked my fingers. I still have what little remains of the pillow and every once in a while I pull it out and fondly stroke its tattered remains (I stopped sucking my fingers loooooong ago -- way before I actually got rid of the pillow!). I loved how every time we recovered the pillow, the cases inside would shred more and become knotted so it had all these little things to worry at. Sometimes, I catch myself fingering the knots in a scrunchie the way I used to my pillow. I had to have that thing every night for bed and it made me feel safe and secure.

Do you guys have anything like that now or when you were growing up? If so, fess it up here. It's good for the soul!

Have a great weekend!

Daughtry Offered Fuel Lead Singer Position

2006-05-11T20:22:00.000-04:00

T over at Fluff pointed me in this direction. Had I only seen it earlier, I would have been able to tune in! According to this broadcast -- part of Ryan Seacrest's KIIS radio show -- Chris was to be offered the lead position with Fuel on Extra tonight. Bass player, Jeff Abercrombie and songwriter/guitarist, Carl Bell went to Extra and asked them to make it public. "Chris, if you are watching, we've talked about this before, and if you want to entertain it again, we'll take it and go," Abercrombie offered.

Click on the Extra link above and watch the video of the offer. Simon also says that now it's anyone's race to be the next American Idol.

Stupid Voting System!

2006-05-10T23:49:00.000-04:00

I thought Chris was going to go allll the way. Damn the call in votes! Damn all you Taylor and Kat fans! Notice I'm not condemning Elliott fans, because I voted for him as well. I really wanted to see Elliott and Chris be the last two standing.

I know intellectually that this is probably a better thing for him. Now he can go be in a band and not under the AI thumb, but dammit, I looked forward to hearing him every week!! I recapped the show over at Fluff, so go and comment away. I guess I have to drag out my mourning clothes...

Please Welcome Dawn!

2006-05-10T23:23:00.000-04:00

I have decided to utilize Rent-a-Blog's "take the first bidder" option and even though it didn't quite work (maybe there was a technical glitch...) Tiny Voices in My Head was the first bidder. I have seen Dawn (aka Webmiztris) leaving comments all over the blogosphere and I never clicked on her to see what she was all about. And this is why taking the first bidder is interesting...I've been missing out on her great blog!

She has this great commercial of Dave Chapelle trying out O'Dweeds and it's hilarious. She goes on to talk about her trip to Niagra Falls and has some excellent pictures -- I love the wax hand sculpture you and your husband had done! -- and another post I really enjoyed was about her cat, who just loves to be walked on a leash.

So, go give some love to Dawn and tell her you came from here. It will make her day!

Calling All You Teachers!

2006-05-09T22:30:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling like I'm stuck in a rut lately. I mean, what's the fun in life if you aren't constantly tinkering with what's already good? I wish I could prescribe with the whole, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" cliche, but of course I can't.

For several years now, I have toyed with going to get my teacher's certificate. When I originally went to college I was going with the mindset that I was going to teach high school English. Then I started thinking more and more about it and opted to just study English instead.

When I returned from my three hellish years in NoVA, I even went and spoke with my old English teachers -- the ones that really inspired me to teach in the beginning -- Mrs. Leahy and Mrs. Watts and they were both helpful in answering my questions and even offered to let me sit in on a few classes if I so chose. But I didn't.

Now, I'm back to thinking about teaching again. This is where you all come in. What do you think about teaching? If you are a teacher/were a teacher what were the highlights? What sucked? Is the art of teaching really dead? Is it way too much like babysitting? A part of me wants to inspire young adults to enjoy literature (well, really just reading in general) or maybe even become a Mrs. Watts or Mrs. Leahy to a young man or woman. I just don't know. I think I'm still searching for the job I want to do forever -- or maybe just a big portion of forever. (Don't worry, B.D., I'm not abandoning ship!!!!!)

Anyway, anyone who feels like it should throw in their 2 cents worth, or more! And when you're finished dispensing advice, go read my AI recap of Elvis Week on Fluff. Also, you may want to click on my renter, Watchdog, and wish him well as he's coming up on the end of his stay here at Casa de Dramedy. Plus, he's got a great expose on "Rent A Blog!"

Ooogle Workout Monday

2006-05-08T13:13:00.000-04:00

Go check out just what Watchdog has us ooogling. I promise no one should be left unsatisfied. Plus, check out just how eeeeevil he really is!

What a Way to Start Saturday Morning!

2006-05-06T10:55:00.000-04:00

I honestly don't know what to do anymore. I tried to take Savannah out for a walk this morning and the first thing I see is the driving range owner's old golden retriever running around loose, so I wait a bit to take her out.

Then, when I think the coast is clear, I take her out to the end of our road and Panda, the Akita that attacked Savannah in January, is outside OFF her lead again. She takes one look at us and I guess thinks mmmm, breakfast and runs right for us. Her mother yells, "Get your dog, she's loose!" I had time to take a few steps in the opposite direction, Savannah is trying to get the hell out of there and I stop because I don't want to run and encourage her prey instinct. Plus, I want to see this dog face to face if I have to beat the shit out of it. ***Here's my disclaimer: I love dogs and I know intellectually that Panda's owners are at fault, but I am NOT going to let that dog attack us again without a fight -- from me.***

She comes running right for us and the entire time I'm yelling "NO." I know the neighbors are thinking, "What the hell?" And I'm trying to make myself as big as possible in front of Savannah. At the last second, Panda veers away from us and I smack her rump with the leash and yell, "Go home!" I guess she hears her parents yelling for her and she lopes back toward them. Savannah is shaking, I'm shaking and pissed that this could have happened -- AGAIN!

"C" comes down and apologizes and tries to tell me it was an accident -- that Panda came running out the front door (why was it open?) and then took off after us. The front door, btw, is on, well, the front of the house. Well, I know that's not what happened because the dog was already in the side yard when we came to the end of the road. If it hadn't been me, it would have been yet ANOTHER dog, because right after this happened a girl came around the corner with her Rottie on a leash, so Panda would have hauled ass to attack them.

I just don't know what to do anymore. Everyone around here seems to let their dogs run wherever they please, and while they don't seem aggressive like Panda, it's a problem for the rest of us. I called Animal Control and left an anonymous message about the "almost attack" and that this would have been the third attack by this same dog. I don't know if our Animal Control will actually do anything about an anonymous tip or not. But I really think Panda's parents need a come to Jesus talk. There was a 5 year old boy riding his trike. What would have happened if Panda would have turned her aggression towards him? They have no business with that dog. They have not had it obedience trained and the dog has no way to get good, solid exercise. It's a recipe for disaster. I can say this, if that dog attacks us ever again, I will sue their asses and demand the dog be put down.

Meanwhile, Savannah still needs a good walk for exercise and she's too afraid to go outside. Anyone have any ideas???

Grrrrr. I HATE STUPID PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

Spa Night Review

2006-05-05T23:32:00.000-04:00

Since I never thought this week would ever actually end, I decided to give myself a "spa night" and since some of you may be looking for great products to have your very own spa night, I'm going to share what I used and what I thought of it.

Most of the products I've been using lately are either all natural or mostly so. Some of them have been great and some of them just ho-hum. Feel free to comment about your favorite products and how you like to pamper yourself. I'm always up for new ideas!

First off, let me say that this was a head to toe type pampering, so there are a lot of products. First, I melted on of my Mystickal Incense and More soy hyacinth tarts to make the bathroom all smelly and believe me, it's a heavenly scent. I started the shower with Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment and and while that was setting, I scrubbed all over with their Peppermint Shower Soap (which smelled great) and washed my face with their Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. The cleanser sort of made my skin feel oily right after it was washed off, but it didn't feel oily when I applied the Garden Tomato Toner. The toner smelled like I was applying pure alcohol and I probably won't use it again.

After washing my hair out I ran a warm bath and added a lavender fizzy ball from Mystickal Incense and I just love those things. Honestly, whomever said "Simple pleasures, for simple people" captured me and the fizzy balls perfectly. After a loooong soak, I got out and applied Burt's Bees Milk & Honey body lotion and for my face I used Eminence's Naseberry Treatment Cream. I love this stuff! You can put it on and it plumps up your skin so that fine wrinkles don't show and best of all, the Eminence products are 100% natural (and it smells great). On my feet I applied Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme (which you put on then wear socks all night). I am fully pampered head to toe.

My hair is soft and it was easy to untangle. I finished up with Stephanie's Peachy Keen Lip Balm (which I love!) and am now getting ready for bed. So really the only products I didn't care for were the toner and the Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme. Most of the time a product has me at the smell and this stuff smells wonderful, but after putting it on, my hands are just a greasy mess. I could see myself putting this on with some cotton gloves and going to bed so it can work it's magic. But as a practical, everyday, hand creme? No way! I'm still on the fence about the orange cleanser and will probably try it a couple more times to see if I like it.

I need to plan to pamper myself at least twice a month. I'd love to do it once a week, but sometimes it's hard to get all this time to be able to do it. Plus it takes patience to apply all this stuff. Everyone should take the time to pamper themselves. I think it's time to get out the ol' foot spa!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!

Honesty: A Male Perspective

2006-05-04T22:44:00.000-04:00

Walter Kirn from GQ had this to say about men, women and their policy on honesty. This is so true!

"Women bend the truth, too, of course, but not like we do. We break truth in half, then into quarters, and then feed it through a wood chipper to prevent the DA from gathering evidence for the trial that always seems to come. Women fudge, but men construct whole chocolate factories. When a wife tells her husband that a new sweater cost around $200, it probably means that the garment cost $299, excluding sales tax. When a husband tells his wife that a new sweater cost $200, it means that the sweater cost exactly that, but he leaves out the fact the his girlfriend in Sacramento bought it for him as a birthday present in gratitude for the new Saab he bought her."

Welcome, Watchdog!

2006-05-03T14:28:00.000-04:00

Please go and say hello to my new renter NYC Watchdog. If you aren't familiar with him you definitely want to check out his writing. Whatever the topic, Watchdog expresses himself eloquently. Today he talks about the drama between Matt and IT2M. It's a good read and of course it's DRAMA!

Watchdog, I'm having BBQ chicken tonight and I'm sharing with you, but please note my plumbing is sensitive and we can't have a re-occurrence of the toilet issues like at your place. ;o) Make yourself comfy. I'll be watching some TV tonight, so bring some lounging PJs and some brownie mix, we're going to have an old-fashioned slumber party!

And I meant to add my other bidders! Sorry I couldn't take you all!

Stumbling Through Life With Grace

Peety Passion

The Vegan Diet

Pictures from My World

Useless Advice from Useless Men

I Want A Little Sugar in My Bowl

Live Your Dog’s Life

"Stupid" Gene Part Deux

2006-05-03T00:09:00.000-04:00

My Mom informed my Dad that if he lied about his health anymore the doctors were going to have to do surgery to remove a foot -- hers -- from his ass. I told her it would be two feet because her's may be bigger than mine, but I can kick higher.

I left you guys with the tidbit that a nurse where my Dad works told him he had the old time flu and to eat light and get plenty of fluids. What he failed to mention is that she told him to get himself to urgent care ASAP. The eye pain and equilibrium problems are not symptoms of the flu. Wanna know how my Mom found out? The nurse called her this morning to see how Dad was and Mom informed her that he had gone to work for some meeting he just couldn't miss (as a side note, those of you that know Dad know that he has this mental countdown clock in his brain and he can practically tell you down to the second how much longer he has to work for the federal government, so his "not able to miss a meeting" is pretty laughable because he already has short-timers and hardly works) well, my Mom called him and told him that he had to go get his blood pressure checked by the nurse immediately and then he was to come straight home -- screw the meeting. BTW, my mother curses only about 3 times a year. Today she filled her quota for the next 10...

She takes him to the doctor and the immediately take 5 vials of blood so they can run every test known to man and he's sent for a CAT scan. The scan came back normal. They don't know what the deal is right now. He's got severely low blood pressure which is causing the dizziness. He's 70 over something and he's usually 120/80. The doctor is afraid that he may have a condition that causes him to have low blood-pressure and he may have to take medication for it for the rest of his life. Who knows why it started all of the sudden, but that's what they came up with. They'll know more on Thursday when all the blood tests come back.

Dad is pretty bummed. He's not allowed to do much of anything -- not even walking -- because his BP could drop and he could fall. He can't drive (I know, I know, all you Virginia drivers are somewhat safe for at least the rest of this week!) and he especially can't go to work. Guess he'll have to use sick leave for actually being sick!

Mom's pretty pissed that he lied. I'm pretty pissed too. Now it's just a waiting game to see what is wrong. Hopefully, it will be easily taken care of. We're all a little worried. And you want to know what? The stubborn jerk won't let me mow their lawn. I was certainly good enough to do it for 15 years or so, but not now. He's made a request that if he has to be stuck at home, he wants to be allowed to mow. Men. Stupid and Stubborn!!!!

Life Stepped In

2006-05-01T19:23:00.000-04:00

As you may have noticed -- or not -- I've been away for a while. This weekend was not kind to my loved ones. My Dad has that awful "old time flu" that has had him sick for four solid days. Then my dog gets diarrhea. It's been quite the time. My mother is about ready to kick my father's rear-end because the dumb man cannot even stand without getting dizzy, but he drives himself to the mountain cabin. Thank God I didn't inherit the "stupid gene!"

My hot neighbor did the first neighborly thing (out of allllll the neighbors) today. He mowed my grass, then swept of all of the sidewalk. I was floored and don't think I didn't drool a little bit as he worked all hot and sweaty in the yard.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was fun and relaxing (well except for the flu and diarrhea parts) and now it's back to the grind stone. Anyone do anything fun this weekend?

I'm in L-O-V-E

2006-04-26T18:54:00.000-04:00

I've had comments and e-mails asking me whether I like my elliptical trainer, where I got it, etc and so this post is to answer those questions and for me to wax poetic about my love.

My new love is the New Balance 5.5 Elliptical Trainer and it can be found at this site. What I love about it:

1) ~~He never cheats~~ I mean, it was extremely easy to put together -- like 45 minutes, by myself, easy. You use the allen wrench and the other little tool they send with the kit and a phillips screwdriver.

2) It takes up 3 1/2 feet of floor space and it has wheels on the front to move it out of the way.

3) It's very quiet. I don't have to turn my TV way up to work out and watch whatever I want.

4) Most importantly to me, it's very easy on my joints. I can't walk very long on a treadmill before I lose circulation in my feet and my knees begin to hurt. This thing makes me sweat and I feel great after using it (tired, but great).

5) It is battery operated, but it also has the plug to go into an outlet to save on batteries. It has lots of different programs, has the pulse monitor, calorie counter, counts miles, ~~does the dishes,~~ and has a timer. Oh and I must add that it comes with a bookstand that works perfectly to hold the TV remote!

Honestly, this is the best thing I have ever invested in. I'm actually looking forward to working out and while I know that I have worked out, I'm not so sore the next day that I wish I hadn't bought the contraption. So, if you are thinking about getting one, take a look at the link. There are some models above this one and below, but I liked this best because of it's small size and quietness.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement! We'll see in a month just how much this thing has helped!

Wednesday Update

2006-04-26T00:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone for their encouragement in the post below! I did 20 minutes tonight! WooHoo! I watched TV while I did it and while the time didn't go by any faster, at least it was more pleasant.

I have a busy day ahead of me so do me a favor and check this stuff out:

First, there's a new site out there that looks like it could be fun. It's called Consult a Goddess. They are giving away a new blog template as part of their launch.

Second, my review of AI is over at Fluff. You know the drill, click and comment over there!

Third, my renter, Matt is pretty lonely on the sidebar. Go give him some love for me.

Flubber Buddies Tuesday v2

2006-04-24T23:03:00.000-04:00

I admit it. I've been totally slack in posting my Flubber Buddies Tuesday posts. And worse yet, I haven't been supporting my other FBs either. But I have been trying to get back on the horse from my vacation. I'm back to pre-vacation weight and I've been grilling my own food with lots of veggies. Now I need to conquer my water intake. Which is only about 3 glasses a day. I like water, I just don't want to drink it. It has to be cold for me to drink water and when it's warm out, you know how fast water goes room temperature.

But on a better note, I got my elliptical machine today. I did 15 minutes on it tonight. And while some of you may be thinking, " 15 minutes? That's nothin'!" Oh, but let me tell you it is! My thighs and calves are burning and I'll bet I'm pleasantly sore tomorrow. But if I could lose another 20 lbs before the middle of June I would be on cloud nine. We'll see. I have to drink the water!!

Lip Balm Woes

2006-04-22T21:02:00.000-04:00

I would love to kick my own ass right about now. Really.

I have allergies to everything on this damn planet -- or so it seems -- and I have to be very careful about the stuff that surrounds me and especially what I put on my body. My lips are no exception. A few years ago, Chapstick (the actual brand) started leaving blisters on my lips. No, not those kind of blisters. The "looks like a burn" kind of blisters, you know, the ones that friggin' hurt. And I had to stop wearing it. So I tried all kinds of brands -- Carmex, Blistex, etc. Some were too thick, others tasted bad and still others smelled bad. I was at a loss. Then I came across two products. The first being Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. It smells heavenly (minty) and it's not too thick and it makes my lips all tingly (like it's actually doing something. Moisturizing maybe?) And I fell in love. I have a tube with me at all times and it was all I ever used until I came across the second product. Stephanie's Lip Balm at Mystickal Incense. I bought the honey and mega melon. So now I had two products. One I left laying around the house, the other I carried in my purse. It was idyllic and I couldn't have been happier.

Then today happened. For about a week, I haven't been able to find the Burt's Bees tube. I looked high and low, but wasn't really sweating it because I had Mega Melon waiting in the wings. So, if you read my last post I talked about wanting some sushi. I hopped into my little gas guzzler to head over to Asian Gardens. About half way there, I noticed I didn't have my purse (I wanted the Mega Melon), so I turn around and be-bop on home. Get the purse and head out again. On the way there, I decide my lips need a little lovin' and I fumble in the side pocket for it. I go to put it on and there isn't any sticking up from the tube, so I place both wrists on the top of the steering wheel -- one hand to roll the balm up the other to hold the tube -- and that's when it happened... The friggin' tube fell out of my hand, rolled to the back of the steering column and fell through a small (just effin' big enough for the tube) hole. Of course I'm anxious, but I'm on an interstate and really don't want to wreck because of a tube of lip balm. As soon as I pull into the parking lot, I search frantically for it. It's gone. Stuck somewhere in the nether regions of my vehicle. I bet I'll be smelling Mega Melon for months. But I tried not to lose my temper, because I just won a fun internet game put on by Matt and the prize included a gift certificate to Stephanie's store, so I'll just order another one.

So, I eat, read a bit and come home, on a mission now to find the Burt's Bees. While searching, I decide that maybe I should do some laundry. Yeah, you know where this is going. Since I'm so lazy, there's already dry, clean clothes in the dryer. So I take them out and the Burt's Bees tube falls to the floor. Empty. I melted the damn stuff in the dryer. So now all I have is the Honey Lip Balm, which makes me eat at my lips because it tastes so good. And I'm pissed that somehow in the space of o-n-e day I managed to lose/destroy not one, but two tubes of lip balm.

So now, I'm going to go watch some chick flick and eat Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice-cream right out of the container and I'm going to pout with my soon-to-be chapped lips.

Feeling Blah

2006-04-22T13:27:00.000-04:00

It's a rainy, overcast Saturday here in WV and while I'm not complaining about the rain, because we desperately need it, it's just not helping my blah mood. I slept until almost 11 today. I NEVER do that. But I guess my body needed the sleep because I didn't wake up even once during the night/morning and Savannah didn't want to get out of bed either.

I need to clean and get things in order. I have this terrible habit of just transferring crap from one room to another. I need to either use it or toss it. I'm just lazy I guess. I have a ton of laundry to do and I'm hungry. I think I'll make a trip for some sushi and hot tea. I have a couple of movies I can pop into the player and I know there's lots I could do on the internet. But I have that restless feeling deep down. That itchy, must do something, feeling that just won't leave me be. There are some friends I could call and catch-up with, but I'm not looking forward to being on the phone. Ugh. It's just one of those days. Hope everyone else is having a good time this weekend!

Welcome Matt!

2006-04-21T22:53:00.000-04:00

So this week's renter is my buddy Matt from Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta. He's the mastermind of the Blog Quest game that I participated in a couple of weeks ago and now he's doing something brand new. "Where's Matt?" It promises to be fun and I'll be visiting a few more sites that I haven't tried before -- which is why I really like these games (like my blogroll needs to be any longer...)

So go visit him and say hello. He's on vacation this weekend so go wish him some fun and sun!

My New Addiction

2006-04-21T11:04:00.000-04:00

Lately I just haven't been able to eat enough Unagi! I'm very picky about the sushi I will eat, but I could eat this stuff every day. The lightly seared eel has an excellent flavor. I recently converted my sister and now my parents think both of us are a lost cause.

The second thing that I am never without in my house is Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. I started with the regular stuff, but that was a tad too sweet, so I tried the diet with serious trepidation and ended up loving it! So that's it. I'm a sushi eating, diet black cherry vanilla Coke drinking fanatic! Whew, now I feel better. I guess they're right. Confession is good for the soul.

I Got Nothin' Thursday

2006-04-20T12:08:00.000-04:00

Maybe I'll have something to say this evening. I'm still trying to figure out the Alias episodes from last night!

Your Hillbilly Name Is...

Tammy Lee Tractor

Hillbilly Name Generator

Open Marriages: Keeping the Home Fires Lit or The Kiss of Death?

2006-04-18T22:06:00.000-04:00

So I watched the first two episodes of What About Brian (Mondays 10 pm EST on ABC) and one of the themes made the little wheels in my head turn and I thought I would post this question to you guys -- How do you feel about open marriages?

An "Open Marriage" is (according to dictionary.com) A marriage in which the partners agree that each is free to engage in extramarital relationships. Now I'm not married and don't have a significant other right now, but I think I can say with confidence that I personally couldn't have an open marriage. Call me old fashioned (because I am!) but to me marriage is about committing yourself to another human being (in any capacity straight/gay makes no difference to me). It's about being honest and above all, monogamous. If I wanted to check out other pastures, I'd just date. But that's me. And I won't even begin a small rant on the personal safety issues of having multiple partners and the risk you could be putting your loved one in.

There are many that would say that an open marriage is what keeps the love burning bright for their spouse. That open communication about the other relationships keeps them above board. It's not a hidden thing. They are both participating and it actually helps with their own sex lives.

So maybe it's just personal insecurities that would keep me from participating in that type of relationship, because honestly, all I would worry about is "does he think she does ____ better than me, which will make him want me less?"

But I'm curious. Is there anyone out there currently participating in an open marriage that would be willing to comment (you can always be anon) and tell me how you feel about your arrangement? What works and what doesn't with this arrangement? Are there others of you that feel the way I do, that an open marriage wouldn't work for you? What would, or does, keep you from trying it out?

AI and Fluff

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

Today is my renter's last day with me and just as a coincidence, my review of American Idol is over there as well. Click click!

Spreading My Knowledge

2006-04-17T15:26:00.000-04:00

Well, since I have been checking blog creators for the past several months or so, I thought I would post the sites that I found for anyone looking for someone to create a blog for them.

And please know, that I can't say whether these sites create quality work, you'd have to go visit and be the judge, but it took me a while to actually find these places and that's what I'm trying to share.

Baby Jane Blogs

Blogger Templates by Caz

Blogs Gone Wild

Blog-Togs

Darkest Faerie Design

eStudio - Just did Gidget's new place!

E.Webscapes - They were in my top three, but are booked until JULY! :o)

GemmaK Designs - This one I can say does wonderful work!!!!! She created this blogger design and she's GREAT to work with!

Lilac Pixels

LunaStone

MDesigns

Moxie Designs

Stephanie Davies - Stephanie from Mystickal Incense does blog and web designs too!

Swank Web Style

Troll Baby

Weblog Design Studios

So there you have all my hard work from the past several months! There are a lot more out there, I'm sure, that I just didn't stumble across, but this will give you a great place to start!

And a "Late Entry" from Rebecca. Thanks! I'm happy to add anyone who would like to be!

Girlie Bits

Upsy Daisy Productions was also recommended by Joelle. Thanks for the nudge!

6 Weird Things

2006-04-16T11:18:00.000-04:00

All righty, folks, I have been tagged by the lovely Tricia over at Tricia's Musings feel free to go visit her and ~~spam~~ comment on her blog. Her blog is one of my new favorite reads!

I have a feeling people will be disappointed at how unweird I am...

I'm tagging: Some Girl, Gidget Bones, Big Pissy, Matt, Hokie Erin and Lisa!

To the nitty gritty...

The Rules:
1. Go write weird facts/things/etc. about yourself in my comment box and on your site, then tag six more people!

2. Then leave a comment that says ÂYou are taggedÂ in their comments telling them to read your site.

6 Weird Things About Me

1) I once was sick with the flu at around age 5 and that morning I had eaten Strawberry Shortcake cereal and to this day I remember how awful throwing that stuff up was.

2) I had a huge crush on Lance from the cartoon Voltron when I was a kid (the 1984 edition).

3) I am super picky about my books. I read them without leaving a crease and if my books end up with too many creases (lending them out, buying them used, etc) then I will purchase a brand new one.

4) I am a crier. I will cry during commercials with babies in them and I almost always cry during TV shows and movies or while reading. Case in point, I had never seen Dawson's Creek until the day I watched the Series Finale -- and I bawled like a baby.

5) I name everything I own -- characters in stuff I write, stuffed animals, plants and favorite gadget's (like my grill!). I own three baby name books because I'm obsessed with names, but when I brought Savannah home with me I had no clue what to call her, so Jean-Pierre, my boyfriend at the time, gave her a name.

6) I have a huge phobia of snakes and water that I can't see the bottom of.

Easter - Then and Now

2006-04-14T15:07:00.000-04:00

I grew up in a home where my father never really talked about religion and my Mom only broached it in small subtle ways – don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, my copy of the illustrated bible, the occasional trips to the Baptist Church in town -- but nothing strict or constant at all. In fact I know that both my parents wanted Jen and me to choose our own path. Which has sort of led to no organized path, which I’m sure my mother regrets at times.

My mother was brought up Seventh Day Adventist and in my opinion, from I have learned about that particular group, they’re a little off their rockers…but each their own, I suppose. My father was brought up Catholic. That makes me smile when I think of that, because my father certainly could never have been the alter boy!!!!!

When we were younger, Jen and I had the frilly Easter dresses with the white patent leather shoes and sometimes even the hat to match the dress! I remember the Easter baskets with goodies in them, the small gifts like coloring books and stuffed animals – and of course the best part – coloring the eggs!! I also remember the Sunday it rained and we hid the (real) eggs in the house for the hunt. And you parents out there know what I’m where I’m going with this…the eggs that are never found. This is okay when you do it outside, Mother Nature takes care of the lost ones. It’s not okay when they are behind the couch. From that Easter on, a list was kept of where all the eggs were if he had to have the hunt inside.

I honestly can’t remember if we attended church Easter Sunday. I remember visiting both sets of Grandparents, but not a sermon on Jesus. Then when I was about 12 or 13, my Grams took me to Palm Sunday services at the local monastery. I loved it everything about it. Well, except that it was mostly in Latin, but I loved the ceremony of it, the solemness, the rising and kneeling. It was great! I actually looked forward to that a couple of years running. But somewhere along the line we stopped going and I stopped asking to go.

Now, Easter is a time for the family to get together. We have a lot of traditional stuff that happens on my Dad’s side of the family. I don’t know if it’s because Mom’s didn’t really have something in place or if Dad’s side of the family just sorta pushed their traditions out of the picture. Anyway, Easter is dinner at Gram’s with lamb, mint jelly, creamed limas, broiled new potatoes and a scrumptious homemade dessert. This Easter, it’s my Pop-Pop’s birthday, but he seems a little past wanting to celebrate the day, so I’m just going to give him something small during a private moment. But I like that we get together.

Do you have a special Easter tradition? Is it tied up in the religious aspect of the holiday, or more like mine, a time for family to get together? I will say the one thing I miss is coloring the eggs…..

I Now Own A Grill! Wooo Hooo!

2006-04-13T18:47:00.000-04:00

I am the proud owner of a grill! I’ve wanted one since I moved in and I finally broke down to buy one. Now, I just need to get some briquettes to layer in the bottom (because of course I couldn’t remember to get everything I need all at once) and a pan to hold veggies on. If there is one thing I love, it’s veggies on the grill.

Camden and Daron made some great shrimp on skewers that I am dying to try on mine. I might never cook inside again! So does anyone have a recommendation on grill cookbooks or are they “all the same?” Cam, you need to remind me which Bobby Flay you have! Any grill secrets anyone wants to pass along to a novice? I have never used one, because Dad was pretty protective of the grill – in fact I’m not sure if my mother has even been “allowed” to use it! In our house the grill was "Man's Domain!"

The only bad thing is that it takes up a lot of room on my back porch. So this weekend I have to decide if I want to put the grill on the ground (and chain it to my porch, because I don’t trust ANYONE!). I’m going to name my grill too – I name everything, so if you have any suggestions for a name I’m all ears! I'm not naming it George, though!

My New Renter is Fluff!

2006-04-12T16:12:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone that bid, but this week I promised Fluff a spot on the sidebar, so try again next week! As you may or may not know, I contribute some reviews over at Fluff, so I have a vested interest in this site! It has a little bit of everything! For instance right now it has my AI review which you should go an give your 2 cents! It also has recaps/discussions of shows such as Prison Break, Lost, The Amazing Race, albums and celebrity gossip. Right now there is a contest for BE credits on the sidebar and a poll on who you thin will win AI! So go give Fluff a try and if you like what you see, bookmark it and visit often!

The Game is Afoot!

2006-04-12T09:43:00.000-04:00

I got this verrrrry secretive e-mail the other day and I'm intrigued by the quest that is starting today! I know most of the blogs that are participating and I think it will be quite fun! And honestly, watch out other players, I want that gift package from Mystickal Incense!!!!

This is what I received:

Good Day, My Compadres:

I am the Quest Master. I bear ill tidings: the Northern Chalice of Blog Wisdom has been lost. You have been handpicked to join the quest to recover the Northern Chalice.

We will search far and wide. We will leave no corner of the blogosphere unturned. And we will be victorious in our dual quest for blog traffic and the return of the great Northern Chalice.

The names of your Blog Titles have been scrambled into anagrams. Once a day you will receive an email from me, The Quest Master, informing you that a clue, in the form of a letter of the alphabet, has been found.

The clue, in the form of a letter, will be placed in a current day comment in one of your blogs as listed under chosen blogs below. To find the clue, you will need to visit every blog in the list and search the comments for a post from me, The Quest Master. Again, I emphasize, the comment will be placed on the most current post of the blog at the time so there will be no need in searching through dozens of posts and comments. You may however, need to visit every blog on the list if you are unlucky enough to find the clue right away.

Find the clue and record the letter somewhere safe. The Witch of the Lesser Southern Isles will be attempting to steal your clues, so guard them carefully.

You will be notified by email when the next clue has been placed. As soon as possible after this email notification, search for the next clue.

As you collect letters, you will attempt to unscramble them. The letters will ultimately reveal the name of one of the participating blogs below.

Successfully unscramble the name of the blog, and you will recover the Northern Chalice of Blog Wisdom and receive all appropriate honors and riches.

PRIZES

1. the first compadre to successfully unscramble the blog name to find the North Chalice of Wisdom will win 250 Blog Explosion Credits AND A $50 Gift Package from Mystickal Incense and More.

2. Five 2nd Place prizes of 50 Blog Explosion Credits will be randomly awarded to those who participate on a daily basis.

3. Each compadre may only make ONE guess per day.

4. All guesses must be made by email to me, the Quest Master, at be_blogquest@yahoo.com

5. Anyone who can figure out who I, the Quest Master, am will receive an additional prize.

6. The Quest will begin with the revelation of the first clue at 12:00 Noon Eastern Daylight Time, and will end when the first correct guess has been made and submitted to me, the Quest Master.

7. If you wish not to participate, you have until Noon on Wednesday, Eastern Daylight time to request to be removed from this quest.

Sincerely,

The Quest Master

Blog Quest Version 1: The Search for the Northern Chalice of Wisdom

The participating blogs are:

The Cartoonist They Call the Stik

All-NIght.Org

Jaws Was A Lady

Pointless Drivel

Perspectives of a Nomad

Jetting Through Life

Happy Blank Day Blog

This Circus I Call My Life

Jazz Coffee

The Dramedy of Life

Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta.

My Opinion On Sports

Living With Multiple Personalities

The Flip Side

Mystickal Incense and More Blog

Parenting Toys

The Adventures of Miss Lady Ma'am

Flubber Buddies Tuesday!

2006-04-11T09:19:00.000-04:00

So It's Flubber Buddies Tuesday! Jetting Through Life has started a support group of people in cyber world working on losing weight. I've only lost about 2.5 lbs this week because I'm still eating poorly, but I'll take the 2.5 lbs! I was talking with Gidget the other day about how I could never sign up at a gym because I would be lazy and wouldn't go, but that I would probably use a piece of machinery in my own home -- you know in front of the TV watching one of the 5,000 shows I have on my little DVR. The kicker is -- I'm too darn lazy to actually purchase the machine! How terrible is that?

So today, since it is Flubber Buddy Tuesday, I'm coming home from work and ordering the elliptical trainer I've had my eye on!

We are supposed to help post helpful recipes to the other FB people, but honestly, I'm not much of a cook yet with this whole diet thing. Portion control is my big problem, so I have stayed with the pre-packaged meals.

BUT I do have an excellent snack idea for those of us that crave the nectar of the Gods -- CHOCOLATE! Weight Watchers has a Smart Ones Double Fudge Cake (chocolate cake with chocolate syrup drizzled over the top) and it's FANTASTIC! The portion size is just enough to satisfy my need for sweets at night and it only takes 20 seconds in the microwave to warm it up from being in the freezer. I highly recommend this snack!

I'm heading over to JTL and checking out the rest of the FB crew!

Book Review: Deep Breath by Alison Kent

2006-04-10T10:05:00.000-04:00

Have you ever read any of Alison Kent's books before? If you haven't, you really need to pick this one up!

Some of you may know that I'm a sucker for excellent characterization. I will watch crappy TV shows as long as the character development is awesome. So when I read, great characters are a must! Well in this case, the characters are awesome and so is the plot -- thus an excellent read!

One of the best genres out there today is action/romance. I read romances because I enjoy that happily ever after -- or at least the promise that the characters are going to give it a solid try. I devour action stories because I love a good, fast paced, in-your-face plot. I also readily admit that I love reading stories with alpha heroes in them. I want them to be mouth-watering hot and have a bit of a "kick-some-ass" attitude. In Deep Breath, Harry van Zandt is the total package.

Georgia and Harry are after the same dossier, but Georgia has double the reason for wanting to find it -- most immediately, her brother's life depends on it and second, it could shed light on her father's involvement with TotalSky, which sent him to prison. Harry needs it because the intel could be valuable to SG-5's operations. Harry teams up with Georgia to find the information but she has no idea he's undercover for SG-5.

The story just zipped along. I made the mistake of starting it before bed and before I knew it, I had turned the last page and it was 3 am. The dialogue in the story was excellent. Kent really knows how to have believable, zippy conversations that aren't filler. Nothing worse than the characters yapping away just to fill some page space. The chemistry between Harry and Georgia was hot! I really liked the fact that Harry didn't fight the attraction all the way through the book. He recognized it, embraced it and went for it. I really enjoyed the heroine, Georgia McLain because she gave as good as she got and there's nothing worse than the simpering, useless female! Kent also has a way of bringing her secondary characters to life as well (think characterization like Suz Brockmann), so I'm hoping that she'll have a story for Georgia's brother, Finn, at some point because I enjoyed his development throughout the story.

Deep Breath is part of Alison Kent's SG-5 series, but really, you don't have to read them in order, to enjoy them. The series does start with The Bane Affair, if you are anal like me and like to read a series from start to finish.

Here's the back cover blurb:

When a guy stops at a roadside diner, he expects bad chili, not a hostage situation. But that’s where SG-5 operative Harry van Zandt finds himself when an armed cartel blows through the door. They’re not after him but the woman in the next booth, and their message is clear: she’s got seventy-two hours to locate and deliver a valuable historical document or her brother dies. And if Harry wants to live, he’d better go with her.

Harry has his own undercover mission to finish, but with a trigger-happy band on their tails, it’ll have to wait. Not that he minds helping Georgia McLain. The tough treasure hunter is as smart as she is sexy. She’s also desperate. That artifact could finally clear her late father’s name. She needs Harry if she’s going to double-cross these thugs and keep it for herself, and her gratitude is the kind that could turn a guy’s head. Too bad that document is also of vital importance to the Smithson Group, and Harry’s top-secret mission is to get it before it falls into the wrong hands. Now, the beautiful, infuriating woman he’s starting to fall for could lead him right to what he needs—and what she so desperately wants.

Out on the open road with a price on their heads, two unlikely lovers are caught in a game of secrets, lies, betrayals, and desire, where trust is risky and love is no time to catch your breath…

So, if you are looking for an excellent read, go over to the sidebar and click on the link that will take you to Amazon. I think once you read one, you'll want to read them all! Plus, she has an excellent website and blog, so at least go check that out!

This definitely ranks 5/5 Hearts!

Oh My Gosh - I Won an Award!

2006-04-09T22:51:00.000-04:00

I got the best e-mail this weekend from Matthew over at Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta!

This is part of what I read:

I want to congratulate you. I have just named your blog an MTMD Blog Award of Excellence Winner!

I started this award to recognize blogs that meet all of the following criteria:

1. An irrepressible and adventurous spirit.
2. Strong writing and variety of content.
3. Interesting, Functional, or Beautiful Web Design.
4. Clarity and Ease of Navigation.
5. A Focused Point of View.

How cool is that??? I'm keeping the button toward the top of my sidebar because I am just tickled pink (or should I say purple?) at this award! It's the first one my blog has ever received and I'm honored. Thanks, Matthew!

Calling All Gardeners!

2006-04-09T12:54:00.000-04:00

I need some help from all you green thumb people. I need some bushes for the front of my townhome. Right now the builders have these incredibly ugly sticker bushes. Seriously. Sticker bushes? Who the hell wants those in front of their house? Anyway, they are coming out of the ground and will be replaced with three others. My house faces Northwest and gets the full brunt of the afternoon sun. I want bushes that are pretty when in bloom and also pretty just with the leaves. They have to be pretty low maintenance -- I don't mind trimming a couple of times a year and giving them plant food occasionally, but I don't want it to be an every weekend job. My Dad is rooting for me to put in some azalea bushes, but I want to have some options. I looked up my "zone" according to the plant/bulb catalogs and I am right on the edge of Zone 6 & 7 (at the border where the Northern most tip of Virginia meets with West Virginia). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Life is Good

2006-04-08T21:53:00.000-04:00

You Are 24% Abnormal

You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.

You are at medium risk for having a borderline personality. It is somewhat likely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

How Abnormal Are You?

Not much to say tonight. The bridal shower for Cam was today and I think it went well. Everyone seemed to have a good time and it was great to meet her stepmother L and her soon-2-b inlaws.

Now it's time for me to kick back and relax. Ma Baker gave me a fizzy bath thing and I'm going to try it out while lighting one of Steph's Basil Sage Mint candles and reading my latest book. Beside me will be my Coke with a generous dollop of Vanilla Vodka and my faithful dog will be warming my side of the bed. Life is great!

Anyone have any big plans for the weekend??

Meet My Renter

2006-04-07T16:55:00.000-04:00

I have been terribly slack about introducing my new renter Philip Del Ricci over at Through a Dark Glass - Musings on the Catholic Church from an Outsider on the Inside. PDR, as I affectionately call him, was one of my first blogging buddies ever! So, we've been together for over a year! That's the longest relationship with a male I've had in -- oh, I digress. Anyway, PDR always has thought provoking posts up. He also shares some of the publications out there through Liquori Publications. But don't get this blog wrong -- it's not a "religious" blog per se. PDR talks about family, friends and his beautiful new home, which he is renovating as I write. So, please go give him some love!

AI Recap - Mandisa Leaves Us

2006-04-06T00:58:00.000-04:00

I have this over at Fluff, but some of my comrades (B.D.!) are too lazy to click on the link for Fluff so I promised to post here as well. Fluff is a great site, so go visit and bookmark it!

I'm so disgusted with AI this week! First it's "Country Week" and that makes me cringe. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy some country music, but I knew it was going to be painful to listen to some of the contestants.

Of course they got one of the King's of Country, Kenny Rogers, to help the top 9. It just so happens that he has a new album to pimp. The only way it could have been better was if they had brought Hank Williams Jr. on to give guidance, but I guess drinkin' and cuttin' up aren't exactly what they want the finalists to learn. Anyway, Kenny sings I Can't Unlove You and I enjoy it and make a mental note to check-out the rest of the album...

I tried to mentally pick the bottom three from Tuesday's performances and I really thought we would see Taylor, Bucky and Ace waiting for Ryan's last word -- with Bucky getting the boot -- but instead, America put Mandisa, Elliott and Paris on the short end. I. Am. Shocked. Bucky did a crappy job and Taylor sang like an automaton. All three of these have better voices than Ace and Bucky. It's just disgraceful.

Camden reminded me that Mandisa will probably still get a contract from someone because she's just awesome, but I'm feeling selfish, because I like to watch her every week. And now, I'm doubly pissed because next week is "Queen" week and Bucky is going to torture me with some terrible effed up Queen song.

So here was this weeks breakdown: Agree, disagree? Put it in the comments!

Tuesday night started off with a few great zingers between Ryan and Simon. I love it that Simon busted on Ryan's new scruffy look (which doesn't really work for him), telling him that he was failing at looking like a guy from Desperate Housewives (and for all you in the dark, Ryan "I'm not Gay!" Seacrest is dating Teri Hatcher!).

Taylor: He picked Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver and sang it so flatly and so horribly that I was tempted to fast forward through the performance. He could have done better and the judges agreed. C-

Mandisa: She was brave and tried Shania Twain's Any Man of Mine. It was just too hard of a song. She could have picked much, much better. But as usual she was fun and seemed to have a good time performing! C

Elliott: I was worried when I realized he was going to do Garth Brooks. And doubly worried when I heard it was If Tomorrow Never Comes -- one of my favorite GB songs, but I really enjoyed his performance. He was believable and it was a nice change of pace from Mandisa's frenetic song. B

Paris: She chose a song sang by Trisha Yearwood or LeAnn Rimes, depending on your favorite, and I thought she did a great performance of How Do I Live. She was dressed appropriately and I loved her hair this week! B+

Ace: Stop tucking your shirt in all retarded every single week. It's annoying -- kinda like your falsetto. You may be pretty, but I'm ready to see your farewell video any time now. Oh, and Keith Urban called to ask you politely not to sing anymore of his songs with that high, sissy voice, okay? Singing: B The Shirt: F

Kellie: I know that I'm wishy-washy about her. I really do like her voice, I just can't stand that she's an idiot. But she's an idiot who's trying to redeem herself. She actually spoke coherently after her performance and the only stupid thing I heard was the apology to Simon because he didn't like the song. I love Reba McEntire and Fancy is one of my faves by her. Kellie did her proud and even though I didn't like how they chopped the song all up, I'm giving her an A.

Chris: I don't know what he sang but it was great and Simon....Suck a big one, buddy! He sang a different song and still did an awesome job!!! A

Katharine: Girl's got balls, I'll give her that. She actually just went right out and told Simon he might as well admit that he doesn't like country music. She sang a Faith Hill song: Bringing Out the Elvis in Me and I liked her voice, just wasn't crazy about the song choice. B

Bucky: He closed the show and it was hard to hear him and I don't know if it was because he just doesn't seem to enunciate or if the band was just a little too loud and overpowering his voice. Either way, I didn't know the song and wasn't impressed. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good. And I like Bucky as a person, but I just don't think he has what it takes to go all the way and I think it will be painfully evident next week with his Queen song -- whatever it might be... C

We'll meet back here next week and I'll be ready with a bottle of Jose and earplugs!

Grey's Anatomy: The Name of the Game

2006-04-04T18:43:00.000-04:00

Here's the weekly re-cap of Grey's Anatomy that I have over at Fluff! Fluff has quite a few shows that are discussed so check it out!

I HEART GEORGE -- Again! I thought it was going to be a while before I could say those words. George's whining was really getting to me. Last night's episode, The Name of the Game was an excellent example of why I love this show. I had started to get a little nervous because I had thought the last two episodes were just ho-hum, but my faith was restored as throughout the show, I both laughed and cried. I'm a baby, I admit it, but Grey's always has those few tear-jerker moments that I just love to pieces!

Okay, let's get into it. You gotta love the fact that giving up men = taking up knitting. I guess keeping your hands busy with yarn keeps them from being busy on someone's body. How cute was it that Izzie wants Meredith to get back on track so badly that she's knitting pieces to swap with Meredith's awful attempts? I thought this showed a little more depth for Izzie. It's a small thing, sure, but as much as she's pissed at Mer for the whole George problem, she's also trying to support her. Also, I had to laugh at Izzie hopeful expression that George was not interested in Callie. Poor Izzie, she just wants things to go back to normal.

Alex sticks up for himself and I'm glad of it. Because he's right. He tells patients the truth and quite frankly I would rather have him give it to me straight than have Burke pander to me. But here's a little advice, Alex. The truth is fine but you don't have to be so damn rude about it!

I want me a "Denny" and I think I'm ready to go out trolling the local hospitals to find one. I just want to hug him and squeeze him and call him mine! If he dies before Izzie and him get together I am going to be so pissed. But knowing those GA writers, they'll just love breaking our hearts that way. How many of you think Denny will make it into season 3?

Cristina thinks she can beat the Chief and he flattens her in the last "competition." How funny was it when James Picken's booms out, "That's why they call me, Dr. Webber!" He was great in that scene with the singing and the swagger.

George stumbles upon the fact that Meredith has a sister being treated by Addison and while he doesn't want the responsibility of that knowledge, he also knows that Meredith needs to know she has a sibling and that her father is there at the hospital. Leave it to Cristina to just go ahead and rip the bandage off with her delivery of the news. Meredith meets Molly, only to learn that she has another sister named Lexi, who's in Harvard's medical school. Hmmmm, I smell foreshadowing... George intercepts Thatcher as Meredith ducks into a room to avoid him and Thatcher explains that he doesn't know how to know Meredith that her mother didn't allow him and George takes a healing step by admitting that Meredith may be selfish, but she has a good heart and that he can see Thatcher in her. Best of all, Thatcher tells George that Meredith had come to see him a couple of weeks ago and I think it clicked, just a bit, as to why everything happened that fateful night.

And for the ending we get Finn Dandridge, hotty vet, aka Chris O'Donnell (Robin!). He has a little scruffy thing going on and he looks okay....but it's going to be a tough sell for me. And I love that after meeting him, Meredith just looks down and furiously knits.

So, all you GA Geeks, are you excited about Finn Dandridge? Or are you like me, so invested in the Mer/McDreamy saga that you just don't want to open your heart to Finn? Also, I'm really excited that they mentioned a sister in med school. Now that will be a great arc if they bring Lexi on the scene. That would be a writer's dream to write for that storyline. And somehow, I think Alex is going to blow a gasket soon and I think the fallout will be unexpected. What it would be like to spend a day in the mind of Shonda Rhimes....

My Summer Vacation

2006-04-03T19:54:00.000-04:00

Okay, so it's not summer yet, but hey, I'm feeling nostalgic for those old essays you had to write in high school!

As many of you know, I went down to Myrtle Beach and had a grand time. I didn't do anything really exciting, because I'm really not an exciting person, but the first 3 days I spent hanging out with my grandparents. Grams and I went to find art for the condo and we picked out some beautiful prints. One was an egret and the other a blue heron. She's having them framed and when she goes down for a meeting in the fall, she'll pick them up from the framing guy and have them hung in the condo. We had a great time looking at all the pieces. I fell in love with an abstract that was multiple shades of purple, but they wanted $300 for it and I just couldn't shell out that kind of dough.

We went to dinner a couple of times and one night Pop-Pop had some sort of weird "spell," but he seemed okay the next day. I really think he should tell his doctor about the episode, but he's stubborn -- like everyone in our family -- and probably won't mention it. Grams says he's old enough to decide what he wants to do.

They left early Monday morning and that's when I really went in to super lazy mode. I read some wonderful books (which I will probably review and stick on here as needed) and I'm in the process of reading Matt's book Siren's Call, but it's on my laptop and so I can only get a few screens read at a time because the laptop does not go well in the tub or down on the beach. And when I read at home, I mostly read in the tub. So Matt, I'm enjoying it, it's just taking me a while to be able to read it all.

I also got my hair cut. I'm one of those that gets it trimmed like 2-3 times per year. It usually happens when I'm out shopping and I feel like popping into a Regis or Bubbles. This time I picked Regis and got a cut from Amanda. Amanda was very sweet and while we chatted, I came to find out that she grew up in Harper's Ferry (30 minutes from my hometown) and that's she's thinking of moving back. So we chatted about house costs and rentals and costs of living. Unfortunately, I felt like I was the bearer of bad news because it's expensive to live up here because we're part of the DC metro area, but people don't get paid enough to have it equal the cost of living. I wish I could have just traded houses with her!

I went to a great restaurant with an excellent buffet (I always hit it at least once when I'm down there because of the Alaskan crab legs) and did some people watching. Do you ever just go somewhere and watch the people? It can be fascinating. The couple nearest to me was old school. The man stayed seated the entire time and the wife fetched stuff for him. And before you start the "what ifs" I watched him leave and he wasn't disabled... He'd give her this big ol' list of things to get on his plate and she dutifully did it.

My favorite table of the night was the Greek table. Nah, not like people from Greece, but you know, the Tri Sig kind and Delta something or other kind. There were 4 girls and 2 guys. The guys ate like people usually do at a $20 seafood buffet. The girls, on the other hand, completely cracked me up. One little petite blonde came back with a salad plate heaped with -- Come on! Take a guess! -- Coleslaw. Really. A HEAPING plate of coleslaw. Another one, a brunette came back with jello. I couldn't poke any fun at the last 2 because they had crab legs, but the others? Who the hell pays $20 for coleslaw and jello?

And to round out my fabulously jammed, pack full of keyraziness, vacation was a trip to Barnes & Noble, because seriously, the 25 books I brought with me just weren't enough and I felt the need to purchase others and lug them home with me. It's a sickness, a legitimate sickness and maybe one day I'll join Bookaholics Anon.

So, if you are ever looking for a great place to stay in South Myrtle you should check out Regency Towers and if you can behave and not have a sex orgy on the blue recliner in the master bedroom, rent out unit 1001. My grandparents have made the place homey and it's beachfront. We'll leave the light on for ya!

My Beach Soap Box

2006-04-02T00:02:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm back, well rested and ready to talk about my vacation. I thought I would start off with a little bit of a rant, because it's a subject that really means a lot to me and since the beach season is going to soon be in full swing soon, it'll be like a public service announcement.

There is nothing and I mean nothing in this world that pisses me off more than people leaving their trash behind. I have this motto. If you can freakin' bring it with you, you can freakin' carry it back. Don't leave your plates from lunch, your empty beer bottles or soda cans down on the beach for people like me to clean up after you. I know you might think that when the tide rolls in and magically makes your shit disappear that it's a good thing -- and easy too! -- but it's litter and there are like a thousand effin' trash cans all along the beach. You can't even go back to your hotel or your car without passing at least 2 cans along the way. Throw your shit away!!!!!

And another thing. I know that all that sand looks like it should be your personal ashtray because hey, that bucket you use on the back porch is full of sand, so this is just like a bigger bucket for you to stamp out your cancer sticks. Ummm, no. Again -- gather them up and throw them away!

What the hell is wrong with people? Nobody seems to respect Mother Earth at all. They don't respect their fellow beach patrons either. And honestly, this doesn't just apply to beach goers. This is for all you people that leave trash behind -- whether it's at a park, a shopping mall, a parking lot, whatever -- it's your responsibility to make sure your trash gets thrown away properly. Not anyone else's.

Here's a free tip: Take one of those thousand freakin' plastic grocery bags with you and put your damn trash in it and then when you're all done with your outing, drop the bag in a trash can. Hard? Not really. Will it take a little extra effort -- marginally. Just start thinking about someone other than yourselves for a change. Okay?

And the Winners Are...

2006-03-31T19:46:00.000-04:00

Since I had such a great vacation and so many of you were sweet enough to say "Happy Blogiversary" I decided to give two people 100 credits apiece. The Random Number Picker drew Ananke (for 100 Blog Explosion credits) and Jane (for 100 Blog Mad credits)!! Congrats and thanks!

Now, because of all of your wonderful hints and suggestions, I'm ready to move forward on my own domain. I have registered with GoDaddy, I know who I want to design it, and now I'm just getting the exact "wants and don't you dares" together for my designer. So thank you ALL for the wonderful feedback. Eventually, I'll be moving to www.thedramedyoflife.com! And as a way of saying "THANK YOU," all of you that gave a suggestion, keep an eye on your e-mail!

Oh and one more thing! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check out my renter!!!!! That's going to be my chant for the next 24 hours!!!! :o)

Come On Now!

2006-03-31T18:24:00.000-04:00

I have lots to share from my vacation, but I have to unpack and rebond with my verrrrry unhappy dog. (How dare I go away and leave her???)

So, in the meantime, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go check out my renter! Her Friday funny is great and you should check out last Friday's Funny because it was AWESOME! I just love church signs....anyway, Melissa is only here for another day or so and I want her to have spent her credits wisely -- so get to it!

I'm So Sad

2006-03-29T23:55:00.000-04:00

I'm on my way home from the beach (happy now, Cam?!? :o)) I realllllly hate leaving. But the real world beckons. *sigh*

Do me a favor and check out my American Idol recap at Fluff and let me know what you thought about this week's performances!

Thanks to everyone for the congrats on the anniversary! You can still enter for the BE or BM credits by commenting on the anniversary post.

The One Year Anniversary!

2006-03-28T10:12:00.000-04:00

One year ago on March 28, 2005, I posted for the very first time. I can hardly believe it's been a year!!!! This marks the 254th post published on this blog. And on this great day, I am registering my own domain!!

Best of all, I'm running a contest to commemorate this anniversary! Leave a comment here and you'll get one chance to win credits at BlogMad or Blog Explosion. If you also add a constructive comment in "I NEED YOUR INPUT"(just a couple of posts down) you'll get a second chance added (if you have already commented, you're entered!). Please let me know in your post which site you are a member of (or both!).

I'll draw the random winner this Friday when I return home from the beach. I'll accept posts up until Midnight -- Thursday, March 30th (EST). I've met some wonderful people through this blog and I can't wait to see what year 2 brings!!!

Say Hello to Melissa!

2006-03-27T08:10:00.000-04:00

Here is my proper hello to Melissa at Jetting Through Life. Melissa lives out in Ohio in a blended community that has awful elderly drivers -- just like me!! Only her's seems to be slackjawed and drooling.... She's the creator of "Flubber Buddies" (the button down on my sidebar) as a few of us are trying to lose weight together, so if you need a support system, you know where to go -- especially on Tuesdays! She's wicked funny, so go by, say hello and tell her you popped over from the Dramedy!

Also, if you haven't left your opinion in my I NEED YOUR INPUT post, scroll down and type away!!! Happy Monday from the beach!!!

Sorry I couldn't choose all of my bidders!
Andrena's Ankh
Winsome Gunning Art
Rob in China
Pupsickle

I Need Your Input!!!

2006-03-25T18:26:00.000-04:00

Okay. It's time. I'm going to do it. I'm going to go private domain and say goodbye to crappy free blogger. But I have some questions that I would love some input on. The more detailed the answer, the better! I have pretty much decided that I want to go Wordpress, but I'm open to new ideas.

1) What is the difference between Wordpress and Expression Engine? Which do you think is better/easier to use?

2) What color schemes bug you in a blog? I'm still leaning toward purple, but want to hear from you. For instance, a black background with white text bugs me when my eyes are tired.

3) For Wordpress users: What plug-ins do you find fun, necessary or a waste? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to technical aspects of design.

4) What do you like to see in a person's sidebar? Do you read the "About Me" pages or the "100 Things?" Do you like blogroll's to be in a pull-down menu? What bugs you in a person's sidebar?

5) Do you like posts that are "Meme's" or "Thursday Thirteen?" How about quizzes or those blogthings like "What Is Your Personality Color?" Do you find them interesting or just plain boring and a filler?

6) Which server host do you recommend (or not recommend)? I'm looking for relatively inexpensive, trustworthy & with at least 99% up-time.

7) Anything you want to suggest, recommend (for or against?) or just any overall comments?

The general content of my blog won't change. It will still be a mix of personal tales and reviews of books, TV shows, etc, but I'm open for suggestions!

It's D. Challener Roe's Last Day

2006-03-25T11:52:00.000-04:00

Go visit my renter and tell him goodbye. He's been awfully quiet this week and may have sublet the room to a mime. Go check on him and make sure he's okay. Thanks!

The Kind of Conversation You Don't Want to Have With Grandma

2006-03-25T00:23:00.000-04:00

Upon arrival here in Myrtle Beach, I wanted to see what Grams and Pop-Pop have done "new" to the place, because it's a rental when the family isn't using it and since I only get here approx. once or twice a year, there's always something to check out.

The master bedroom was the big project the last couple of months and since I liked the old furniture I was intrigued to see what they had picked.

Grams follows me in and I oooh and ahhhh at the furniture. It's white and 'clean' and very pretty, in a beachy kind of way, and it complements the new wall color in this amazingly cool blue. Then I notice that they have placed the old recliner from the living room into the sitting room right off the MB. And here begins the mortification...

Me: "Wow! You guys took the recliner out and put it back here. I like it here. It's great if you want to kick back and do some reading."

Grams: "It took me forever to get it clean."

Me: (puzzled) "Why?"

Grams: "Because I think the tenants over New Year's had a sex orgy on it."

Me: .... (what the hell do you say to your 85 year old Grandmother when she says something like that? So I just stand there and stare -- like a deer stuck in the headlights of an oncoming semi.)

Grams: "When we got here last week, I noticed that there was all this white stuff all over the chair. I tried wiping it down, but it just wouldn't come off. This morning I used Palmolive and a brush and got it off. I really had to scrub."

Me: "Are you kidding me? That's gross!"

Grams: "You aren't the one who cleaned it. Makes me want to put a sign over the thing that says, 'If you want to have sex, please do so on the bed and please put a towel down first. Thank you -- The Owners.' But I guess that would be rude, hmmm?"

Me: "Well, um, people may see it like a challenge and deliberately mess the chair up again. I think you should just let it be."

Grams: "What's wrong with people nowadays?"

Me: "I don't know, Grams. I just don't know....."

I think I'm still blushing...

I'm Here!

2006-03-23T23:08:00.000-04:00

So I arrived in great time and while I would love to rub a little salt in everyone's wounds, it's cold and rainy tonight. :o) Hopefully it will be up to 60 tomorrow, but there's a chance of rain again.

I'm just stoked to be on the beach. I don't even care that they are re-roofing the place and supposedly it will be very loud and distracting. Who cares? I'm at the beach man!

There will be plenty to keep me busy. I'm going to get a hair cut and I'm toying with either getting a perm or highlights. I just don't know. The sky's the limit. Hee!

I'll keep up the posts, hopefully with some cool pictures mixed in, but I warn you I am NOT a professional photographer! :o)

Time to go unpack and settle in. Later!

P.S. Thanks, Jen for watching my baby girl! I hope you don't go any crazier than you already are. ;o)

With Any Luck...

2006-03-22T23:45:00.000-04:00

This is what I will be seeing by Friday morning. I'm heading to the beach to visit my grandparents. Geek that I am, I'm taking my laptop and I hope to be able to post!

In the mean time I have assignments for all!

First, go check out my American Idol recap over at Fluff. It's lonely over there and I would love to have some discussions started with recaps over on that site.

Second, go visit my renter! He's fun and his writing is excellent!

Third, everyone have a wonderful weekend!

I must now go pack....

50's Night on American Idol

2006-03-22T00:34:00.000-04:00

What could have been a sucky week was surprisingly -- not. I enjoyed almost all the music and was impressed with the dedication Barry Manilow seemed to show the contestants. I'll have a full breakdown of the show on Fluff, either tomorrow night or Thursday, but here's my good, bad, bu-bye list.

First, I have to say that Mandisa is freakin' awesome. I've read a couple of places that refer to her as the "token fat chick" and that couldn't be farther from the truth. My girl can sing and she has amazing confidence and sense of self. She did a tremendous job tonight! I give her a A-.

Bucky, darlin' we probably saw your last performance tonight. His hair was less distracting, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it was the final nail in the coffin. I really like Bucky's voice -- it's deep and gravelly -- but he just doesn't fit in this competition, or maybe he just picks the wrong songs...I don't know. D

Perky Paris sang Fever and she looked great, but she didn't wow me. B

Chris. What can I say without gushing? He sang I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash. He was totally hot in all black and he made the song a rock venture. It was freakin' awesome. I would buy his CD right now if it were out. A+++ P.S. I still love you!

Katharine is so darn pretty and she looked pretty good tonight. She has the overall best female voice, I think. Her song was too slow for me -- Come Rain or Come Shine, but she did it well. A

Taylor, I like you, but please don't dance anymore! It was an okay performance for him. C+

Lisa, sorry, but I did not like your wardrobe tonight. The song wasn't that great either. If Bucky doesn't go tomorrow it will be you... C-

Kevin. Okay, I'm going to try and be nice. I liked his glasses and the song seemed to be a good choice, but other than that? He still shouldn't be there, but he was better than Bucky or Lisa. C

Elliott is working on some facial hair and of course he picked a song that was excellent for him. I just love his voice. B+

Kellie, Kellie, Kellie. I grew up in Patsy's hometown. I can go get a beer at The Rainbow Road where she got her start. You are not Patsy Cline and I thought your rendition sucked. It's not a sexy sultry song. If you understood simple English you could have figured that out when you read the lyrics. Stick with what you know, m'kay? F

Ace has the prettiest eyes of any guy on the planet, but the song was just okay. I want him to stay because I like the eye candy and if I gotta listen to Kevin I want Ace's eyes to look at. B-

So in recap: My faves were Mandisa, Chris and Katharine

Going home will be Bucky or maybe Lisa.

The Cleaning Hunk

2006-03-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

Okay. All you ladies out there (and men too if you're daring) MUST go to Cleaning Hunk and click to watch the video. I giggled, I ogled and in the end, I played it again. Excellent marketing, I tell ya! After watching it, come back here and let me know what you thought. We sure could all use one or two of these around the house!!!!! That's all. Proceed to your mission -- I must go take a cold shower...

Freakin' IRS

2006-03-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

I just finished laboring over my damn taxes and I'm not in a good mood. Why does it have to be so damn hard? I bought TurboTax this year because I just bought my place and I had split my time between 2 states. Doing the Federal tax was a relative breeze -- the state taxes weren't.

Of course the program only comes with one state tax form and like a dumbass, I put in for the Virginia tax form. I should have requested the West Virginia tax form because their website is idiotic and I couldn't find the form I needed -- well, actually I printed the form I thought I needed and then after trying like hell to fill it out for 2 hours, realized that it wasn't the right form. So, I paid TurboTax 30 effin' bucks to download the correct WV form. After noticing that I reversed my state income tax paid on my federal form, I had to go back and fix that so it would pull the right information into the state forms.

It has not been a good evening. To top it all off, I went to electronically file the taxes and TurboTax wanted to charge me another effin' 30 bucks to do it! WTF?!!? I paid for the damn software, why isn't electronic filing included. Bastards!!!!!!!!

The light at the end of the tunnel is: The Federal Government, West Virginia and Virginia all owe ME this year. Yeah! Take that you IRS assholes!!!!!!!!!

All Things Smelly & Wonderful

2006-03-20T14:26:00.000-04:00

I received my box of goodies that I ordered from Steph over at Mystickal Incense & More and wanted to share with you what I have tried so far. Really, my aim is to make you incredibly jealous – so jealous that you have to go and order some for yourself!

First off, I’m going to begin with the lip balm. I have some crazy allergy to the brand, Chapstick. I don’t know why, but that stuff burns my lips – literally, the skin on the outer edge of the lip will break out in blisters. It’s horrible, so I’m always on the lookout for lip stuff – especially because I seem to misplace them regularly. Well, I ordered the Mega Melon and the Honey Bee Hive and I LOVE them! The Mega Melon smells heavenly and it glides on very smoothly. The Honey Bee Hive doesn’t have a very strong smell, but once you put it on you’ll be able to taste it. I love honey. I could eat spoonfuls of the stuff – and regularly do! – and this is actually a pleasure/pain for my lips because it’s smooth and wonderful, but I want to constantly lick my lips to taste the honey. LOL I know, I’m strange! So I definitely recommend the lip balm. She has other flavors, errrr, scents too!

Next I tried to the Basil Sage Mint Mystickal Bath Salts. It is utterly delightful The first bath I took, I used it by itself and it was the perfect combination of smells. It’s very clean smelling and in the steamy hot water, the scent was relaxing. The next bath I took, I used the salts and the Mystickal Oil-Free Bath Oil in the Water Blossom Ivy scent. I wanted the smells and comfort of the salts, but I also wanted the silky feel of the oil (that’s not oily!) and Water Blossom Ivy is one of my all-time favorite scents (I was rather bummed when Bath & Body Works discontinued their line in that scent) and it was a heavenly smell mixed together! I loved that the oil did not leave a greasy residue in my tub and it didn’t make my skin feel heavy with oil either.

Next to my computer I keep Steph’s Mystickal Dry Oil Spry in the scent of – you guessed it! – Water Blossom Ivy. I work with paper a lot and my hands are always dry and itchy. This stuff is wonderful. A couple of sprays on and in a few seconds my hands feel better, but I don’t leave behind any oil residue on the keyboard.

I ordered some votive candles, an oatmeal and milk bar of soap, some kiddie soaps with money and a dinosaur embedded in them, Ananke Moonlight Jasmine Bath Salts (that I can’t wait to try) and a BUNCH of her sprites soaps, so I could test drive her “other smells" before ordering anything else -- like candle or incense. I can’t wait to put together my next order!!!

No this is not a paid for advertisement! :o) I just truly believe that if you enjoy pampering yourself with smelly good things, you should check out Mystickal Incense & More because it’s great stuff and Steph gets it to you quickly and professionally.

Thanks, Steph! I’ll be back for more!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear John

2006-03-19T12:36:00.000-04:00

Dear John and the rest of the "Roadshop Crew" at my local Circuit City,

I just wanted to write and say, "thank you" for the wonderful customer service you provided for me and my car this weekend. It began wonderfully when you, John, decided to help the pushy old man who came in after me, first. But hey, no biggie, I'm mostly a patient person. After you helped him, you finally made yourself available to me after stocking a few XM players first. We seemed to get along famously when I told you I needed a car system that would play burned CDs, MP3s and have Am/Fm radio -- nothing too fancy. Then you pointed out the higher end Pioneer. Which looked great! I'm a huge fan of silver, but unless that thing also does my dishes and my laundry, I'm not buying that. I thoroughly enjoyed your eye rolling when I asked about the much cheaper Sony. I also enjoyed that you told me all that was crappy about the Sony and preceded to sing the praises of the aforementioned Pioneer and a different stereo by Alpine.

Maybe I should have made myself clear. Just because I have two X chromosomes doesn't mean I'm automatically clueless. I dated a guy in high school that taught me all about the wonders of Pioneer and Alpine -- and admittedly, if I wanted to trick out my car with a tube and brand new speakers with tweeters and subwoofers, I would have happily bought one of those brands. But I'm not. I only need a decent system because of all the audio books I listen to on my way to work.

I also want to thank you for trying to bully me in to buying new speakers. Even after I politely told you I didn't need them. Just because you get a new stereo doesn't mean you have to have new speakers. Is that listed in some fine print I missed?

I especially enjoyed waiting in the installation bay while the three other installers drooled over the pushy old man's vintage Ferrari. I certainly hated to tear you all away from taking pictures of each other caressing the hood and standing with your arms crossed, leaning on the driver's side. I thought maybe it would be prudent to step out of the garage and give you all a private moment or two with the car. I know it's much more fun to install a radio into that car, than this one.

After I returned from the requested hour of shopping aimlessly through the store, I was excited to find that you had indeed installed my stereo and had left the wiring, harness and old stereo all over my passenger side floor. This was the best customer experience I've ever had and you can bet I will be back for more.

Have a wonderful weekend, I know I will!

Shelly

Please Give A Warm Welcome to D. Challener Roe!

2006-03-18T23:03:00.000-04:00

D. Challener Roe's blog, Rough Draft was the winner of the "draw the name out of the hat" for my spare room for the week. It's always hard to pick a renter and so I decided the only fair way was to draw someone. But I'm happy he's the winner. He's a fellow writer from L.A., who actually puts his stuff out there -- unlike me. LOL Right now he's talking about e-mails he has exchanged with an astronaut. How cool is that???

Please go over and say hello!

And to the other blogs, please keep bidding!

Rae @ Home
Emily Anne
Ripple Me This
Full Metal Photographer
Fortyish Is Fab
EvelGal

Candle-aholic

2006-03-18T12:38:00.000-04:00

I have a terrible obsession with certain things in my life and one of the worst is candles. I am a candle freak. I buy them and buy them and then – I don’t even burn them.

Are there others out there that are like me? Afraid to light the wick because they no longer will look beautiful and pristine? I don’t have this problem with candles in a container, but if they are pillars, votives or tapers, I have a very hard time getting myself to light them.

But yet, I keep on buying them. It’s a sickness! Almost as terrible as my book sickness. Today I am going to make it a point to burn a candle I have had for at least 10 years. It’s not especially beautiful. It’s a thick, purple candle that stands about 5 inches high. I’m going to burn it for several hours. At this point, I’m not even sure if it’s supposed to be a smelly candle! I’ll find out and report back. Have a great weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2006-03-17T16:38:00.000-04:00

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Help Me Say Goodbye to Jane

2006-03-16T21:17:00.000-04:00

Tonight is Jane's last night as my renter. Please go over and click on her and give her some love. It's been fun, Jane. Please come back soon!

And the Boot Goes To...

2006-03-16T01:11:00.000-04:00

Melissa McGhee is going home. I got it right this week. Even if I was infinitely sad that Kevin wasn't in the bottom 3. What are people thinking???? Ugh.

She did remember the lyrics tonight. I bet she practiced and practiced knowing that she was most likely going to be the one to say goodbye. She wasn't shocked at all.

So, now we're down to 11. I wonder what next week's theme will be. Maybe I'll have my spies do some re-con -- you know who you are!! I'm tasking you with this for the sake of the blog!

Camden is Psychic!

2006-03-14T23:44:00.000-04:00

Camden has the gift. She not only guessed that Kevin would sing Part Time Lover, but that Chris would sing Higher Ground. She's good and if you ask her nicely, she might be open for parties...

My full review will be at Fluff after tomorrow's show.

So here we go for Stevie Wonder week (which was a terrible choice you stupid AI execs)!

The Good:

The best by a mile is my future husband, Chris. He rocked Higher Ground and did you see the message he sent just for me with his purple shirt??

Katharine did an excellent job with Til You Come Back to Me

Mandisa and her rendition of Don't You Worry About A Thing

Taylor whose Livin' For the City was quite energetic

The Ho-Hum:

Paris with her peppy performance of All I Do

Bucky rocks with Superstition

Elliott with Knocks Me Off My Feet

Lisa with Signed, Sealed, Delivered

The Bad:

Ace with Do I Do

Kellie boring the crowd with Blame It On The Sun

(guess what Pickles -- arachnophobia = fear of spiders...not bugs)

The Ugly:

Melissa and her forgotten lyrics to Lately

Kevin and his Part Time Lover nightmare (Has this kid even had a girlfriend?????)

Getting the Boot:

Melissa and her boobs (even though I hope it's Kevin!)

Forget the Blue Dress -- The Devil is in Green & Brown

2006-03-14T08:03:00.000-04:00

The Devil is always around. Tempting us here, whispering there and once a year he sends out unwitting minions in Green and Brown uniforms that no regular person can send away without ordering the apple, erhm, cookie.

That's right, I'm talking about all those sweet, fresh faced Girl Scouts and Brownies that come a beggin' for cookie orders. The whole cute smile with the innocent phrase, "Would you like to buy some cookies?" All the while the sly devil is subliminally saying, "You know you want some..." Now as many of you know, I have a wedding coming up in the not-so-distant future. (Not mine silly, I'm a bridesmaid!) and I have been valiantly trying to lose some weight.

Well, I could not resist the call, when my little cousin A sent out the plea for orders via e-mail (those little thugs are with the times, man!) and I ordered several boxes. Yes, yes, I know. That doesn't sound like a dieter! See, there was something else in that message that I couldn't put my finger on, but I just felt compelled to order -- and order lots!

Before I knew it I was typing "three boxes of Caramel DeLites." I l-o-v-e those cookies. I was a Girl Scout once and my that was my Dad's favorite cookie and he introduced me to them. Then I thought what the heck, let's get one box of Tag-a-Longs (well, that's what we called them in my day -- now I think they are Peanut Butter Patties and one box of Peanut Butter Sandwiches. And as a way to share my weight gain, I mean, joy, I bought a couple of boxes of Thin Mints for my Mom.

So of course that was months ago -- or so it seems and I forgot about the cookies. Then I got the call. "They're In!" and I could see the 20-some pounds I have already lost just go up in flames.

So that's it. I was taken by temptation yet again. Next year I'm not answering my phone, my door or my e-mail, but I'm sure the little devils will have come up with some other way to lure me in.

Doubly Ill

2006-03-13T21:27:00.000-04:00

Well, I don't know what's worse... The fact that I am either getting the flu again or the mother of all migraines the night before my biggest workday filled with meetings, or that my A/C / furnace is not working AT ALL.

I turned on the A/C for about an hour because I was getting hot flashes and wanted to get the humidity out of the air -- plus if this is heading into migraine country I wanted air as clean as I could get. Well, the whole unit just stopped. My thermostat is not reading the temp (which is 80 downstairs. I bought a regular ol' indoor/outdoor gauge a few months ago) let alone actually performing its function. I've checked the circuit breakers and just don't know what else to check.
Guess that means a call to the builders and the heating/air company better send someone here when I'm home as I'm sure they will need to get in here. Grrrrrrrrrr.

I'm off to bed. It's 8:30 and I'm ready to hit the sheets. I wish I could be a little uplifting with my end of day post, but I'm pissed off, hot and queasy (no, I'm not pregnant!). Night Night!

P.S. Do me a favor and please go check out Jane, my renter, on the sidebar. That will make me feel infinitely better!

It's Christmas in March!

2006-03-12T19:41:00.000-04:00

I just got the best present ever last Thursday! Back in late January I had won a wonderful prize pack from the Literary Chicks and it arrived! Just in time for the beach! If you enjoy well written contemporary stories you really should check them out. Some people will call them chick-lit, but I don't feel the need to box them into a certain category. They are just fabulous authors! I received Nice Girls Finish First by Alesia Holliday and if you haven't read an Alesia Holliday book well, you need to pick one up. I read American Idol and loved it! Also included was She, Myself & I by Whitney Gaskell. She wrote Pushing 30 which I gave to a friend to read before her 30th birthday. Fashionably Late by Beth Kendrick was the next goody I pulled out. Which reminds me that My Favorite Mistake is still in my TBR pile, hmmmm. Anyway, moving on -- we're not done yet! -- is Balancing in High Heels by Eileen Rendahl, who's a new writer for me. By now you're thinking just what else could there be? Well, I said it was like having Christmas in March -- not a birthday! Two more titles came sliding out of the verrrry adorable canvas bag that Alesia Holliday personalized and signed just for me! Ex and the Single Girl by Lani Diane Rich and Michelle Cunnah's Confessions of a Serial Dater. If you haven't read anything by Michelle Cunnah, she's got a particularly wicked sense of humor. I have read Call Waiting and 32AA and had to stop brining them to public places because people would look at me when I laughed aloud. So, that was most of the booty. I also got bookmarks and another signed book from Alesia, Shop 'Til Yule Drop. I was just floored! The Literary Chicks have a wonderful blog. I always chuckle at their posts, so maybe you should stop by and lurk a little, or if your brazen, participate. They're a friendly bunch over there! Thanks again to all the Literary Chicks -- this is a wonderful gift!

Tags: Literary Chicks, Alesia Holliday, Eileen Rendahl, Beth Kendrick, Whitney Gaskell, Lani Diane Rich, Michelle Cunnah

Six Types of Toxic Friends

2006-03-11T11:44:00.000-04:00

Cheryl Richardson has a book out called Take Time For Your Life where she talk about the six types of friends people have in their lives. She's been a guest on Oprah's show talking about toxic relationships and what to do with them. I thought the information was very intriguing and people can bee a combination of the following terms.

The Blamer

This is a person who consistently blames you and/or everyone else for her problems. The world and the people in it always seem to create havoc for this person, and instead of taking responsibility for her life, she'd rather blame others.

The Complainer

This person likes to hear her own voice. She constantly complains about what isn't working in her life and yet gets energy from complaining and dumping her frustrations on you.

The Drainer

This is the needy person who calls to ask for your guidance, support, information, advice, or whatever she needs to feel better in the moment. Because of her neediness, the conversation often revolves around her, and you can almost feel the life being sucked out of you during the conversation.

The Shamer

This person can be hazardous to your health. The shamer may cut you off, put you down, reprimand you, or make fun of your or your ideas in front of others. She often ignores your boundaries and may try to convince you that her criticism is for you own good. The shamer is the kind of person who make you question your own sanity before hers.

The Discounter

This is the person who discounts or challenges everything you say. Often, she has a strong need to be right and can find fault with any position. It can be exhausting to have a conversation with the discounter, so eventually you end up giving in and deciding to just listen.

The Gossip

This person avoids intimacy by talking about others behind their backs. The gossip gets energy from relaying stories, opinions, and the latest "scoop." By gossiping about others, she creates a lack of safety in her relationships, whether she realizes it or not. After all, if she'll talk about someone else, she'll talk about you.

So which are you? I know none of us feel 'toxic' to our friends, but taking a look at this, I think I fall into the Discounter/Drainer type person with family. But I can honestly say that I'm not a couple of these. And a lot of people may not fall into any of these categories. This only represents the negative/toxic issues people bring to a relationship.

Just some food for thought this beautiful , warm 70 degree afternoon in WV. Have a great weekend!

Jane, Jane, Jane of the Jungle!

2006-03-10T10:45:00.000-04:00

Welcome, Jane! Everyone, go click on Jane in my sidebar and visit. This lady knows how to blog! She blogs the way I wish I could blog -- deeply and full of emotion and she just let's it all hang out. She's also has an excellent sense of humor. Say hello, don't be shy and tell her you came from here!

Now, to the other 15 million requests I received to rent my humble space. It was a very difficult decision for me. In the end I went with Jane because she has bid multiple times and she's been sweet and patient, but that does not mean I didn't like your blogs.

So, my fine readers, in order to give a little love to my potential roomies, look through the list and click on a blog title that either interests you or one you know you haven't run across in the blogosphere. Please bid again everyone! It's a shame we can only have one renter at a time. I apologize if I have forgotten anyone, there were a lot of bids this go round!

Mystickal Incense & More - I have future plans for you, Stephanie!

Dark Glass - PDR you're being punished for lack of a reading list promise. Just kidding! Sorta. Get me the list and bid again soon. (I'm going to the beach soon and could use some recommendations!) Like Stephanie, I have plans for you!

Useless Advice From Useless Men - My fellow contributor over at Fluff. Excellent stuff here, even if he is just a useless guy. :o)

Luka’s Incogblogo - An excellent blog to read. You never know what you'll get when you click and she's an excellent landlord!

Haunted House Dressing - I love this site. Not only is it maintained by a fellow writer, but his stuff is good. Really good.

Full Metal Photographer - An excellent photoblog! If it sounds familiar it's because he also has the Full Metal Attorney blog as well.

Dear Me - Personal blog in the style of letters to herself. Be warned if you have a dial-up connection there's a video on the sidebar. That reminds me, I need to turn down my volume so I don't get any more gray hairs. :o)

Anna’s - She says she's just an average girl with a camera, but her photos are anything but average!

My Name is Francesca - Great personal blog with a very pretty template.

Lindsey Mitchell - Another personal blog that's well written. She's on my watch list for my blogroll!

Tricia’s Musings - She's a nurse with a great blog. Don't read the top post if you have a weak stomach. LOL

Voicing My Thoughts - Noi does a wonderful job with her blog. I always enjoy reading her blog.

Pupsickle - Erin writes from the state my father would love to live in -- Alaska!

AI Kicks Off 4 More

2006-03-09T23:10:00.000-04:00

I've posted most of my thoughts over at Fluff, the other site I contribute to. Go check out my full rant there.

Here's the deal. I think the voters are screwing up. Kevin should not be on the show, okay? He's cute, but he's not going to win. Please don't torture my ears any longer by keeping him in the line-up.

Bo performed tonight and I know I'm going to get hate mail from a certain office mate of mine, but he looked like crap and I did not like the song at all. Dude has longer hair than me! He needs to get it cut and he needs to shave. Yuck. I was a fan last year, but his image consultant isn't doing him any favors. But I will say congrats on being a daddy!

Anyway, now to the losers. Ayla got the shaft. No way should she have been kicked off before Melissa. NO WAY! But Melissa isn't horrible, so I can live with that one. Kinnik is no surprise. She sang terribly Tuesday night and she knew it was coming. Will also knew it was time to go home. No shock there. Another crappy performance -- the audience can only take so much.

Poor Gedeon didn't deserve to get the ax. It should have been Kevin boring us with Vincent as he shuffled off into oblivion. I was only 50% right this time because of all those pity votes going to Kevin and all the guys voting for Melissa's breasts. Maybe I'll get it right next week.