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| Sick of being sick! + Angels and Demons |
| 07.31.04 (12:10 pm) [edit] |
I've had a headache, sweats, head full of snot and no energy for 5 days now. Yesterday started a deep cough and I'm DONE being sick. Be gone, foul buggy-thing! Git! (that means go away in southern-hillbilly talk and something entirely different in brit-speak!) I read "Angels and Demons" yesterday, cover to cover. Daggone that Dan Brown. He's a great writer and fooled me again, the b*st*rd. ;-) So I now recommend with utmost highness his books "Angels and Demons" and "The Da Vinci Code". I also enjoyed his other two books but these are the ones I enjoyed the most. It's my upbringing, I like books that drive me to think, do a little research, and re-evaluate. .. and it's a damn good mystery-thriller to boot. Rockin! |
| WHAT is the World Coming to?! |
| 07.29.04 (11:20 pm) [edit] |
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This is it. Things have gone too far! From cnn.com: Miss America pageant cans talent spots ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey (AP) -- The Miss America pageant is pulling the plug on its talent competition, eliminating the amateurish two-minute routines that have come to feature cheesy stunts such as tractor driving and trampoline jumping. Man! That was the most entertaining part of the show!! And after the success of shows like Fear Factor, we might have seen some really interesting talents this year ... like eating raw goat tongues or giving a wolverine a manicure. Boring! |
| Making Memories... |
| 07.28.04 (11:56 am) [edit] |
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We recently took our 3 year old to a park with ancient indian mounds and artifacts. There's some Cherokee blood in my line somewhere so it's always been a fascination for me, and I want Katie to have an appreciation for the culture. Katie loves going on "ventures". She had her binoculars (Nocklers) and we were having fun walking trails. The weather was perfect, everyone was in a good mood - a lovely day. As we were deep in a section of the park that had no nearby restroom, we heard "I have to go potty." I mentioned she was 3, right? So bladder control is not yet her forte and she had just finished a big cup of lemonade. Oh dear. So I pulled out the empty cup, and asked her to go in it. Her face, posture, and tone of voice was PRICELESS. "Mama, I can't pee pee in a CUP." As if I'd lost my ever-lasting mind. I finally convinced her it was ok. Then I made her watch me throw the cup away, get out a FRESH cup, and pour her a new glass of lemonade. The new look on her face was equally priceless. "I drink mem-aide, not pee pee." Very firmly, as if I'd even thought otherwise. After I reminded her that she had watched me pour it, she reluctantly drank it up (so the cycle was repeated within the hour). Oh my, that child makes me laugh. The rest of the day, did she talk about the farm? the Indian hut? the arrowheads? no. She told everybody "I went peepee in a cup!". And thus, another memory was made. Just not the one I'd planned... |
| Silly Wedding Tips |
| 07.26.04 (8:14 pm) [edit] |
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In honor of aliciarose's upcoming nuptuals, a few wedding tips... Change into red tights just before the "garter belt" ceremony (warn the photographer ahead of time). You'll get some great reaction shots from your unsuspecting husband! Speaking of hubby - they make tuxedo shirts that look perfectly normal when the jacket is on (white cuffs, collar) but when they take the jacket off, it's a wild pattern/colors. Great fun! Reception: Hand out googly-eyes as the song "I Only Have Eyes for You" plays. The ping pong ball kind work best, I got mine from the Oriental Trading Company. Kids aren't the only ones who love them. My brother was a big fan of a particular comic book character, I found small action figures and replaced the bride and groom on the cake when they weren't looking ;-) Then his wife caught me and they were quickly replaced. Drats. On the serious side: If anyone is diabetic, it's a nice touch to have a small diet cake for them. Make sure the baker knows to use DIET ICING TOO! (I learned that one the hard way - regular icing on a dietetic cake is pretty pointless!) Nowadays with the low-carb kick, it's probably pretty easy to arrange. Any other fun tips for our brides to be? |
| Why did the chickens cross the road? |
| 07.26.04 (10:02 am) [edit] |
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From USA Today, July 23rd... What happens when 1,000 chickens cross the road? LONDON (AP) — A busy highway near Oxford in central England was closed in both directions Friday when around 1,000 chickens escaped from a truck that collided with four other vehicles, injuring four people. "They were all over the carriageway," said a spokesman for Thames Valley Police. The birds' escape could be short-lived: Thousands of shooting enthusiasts, game keepers and falconers are in the area for a game fair organized by the Country Land and Business Association. "We are going to ask (them) if there are any wagons or nets that we can use to get the chickens together," said the police spokesman, who spoke with customary anonymity. |
| Giving Thanks |
| 07.24.04 (10:46 pm) [edit] |
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After the weight of my last post, it seems fitting to spend a few moments thinking about those things I'm most thankful for: A husband that loves me. I was musing the other day and realized that I'm rather fond of the current one, eraserhead667. We have a lot of issues - and I wouldn't have been able to say this 6 months ago - but I'd choose him again if given the opportunity. Thank you, Doug, for choosing me to share your life with. It may be a bumpy ride but it's never dull :) A beautiful, clever, funny, amazing little girl. I thought I had a clue what motherhood was about and I underestimated it by about 1000%. I love it. I am grateful every day (and tell her so!) that she is in my life. Good family & friends. A good education (mostly due to the parental units!) The internet - how I met my husband and some friends (some I've only known in cyberland, others "live") All the choices I made in the past - stupid and otherwise - that got me where I am today. The greatest choice I ever made was to wait one more day. I had reached the bottom of the pit and resolved to commit suicide when I decided to wait one more day. And then another. And then another. That was 8 years ago and if I hadn't made that choice, I would have missed out on the first 2 items on my list - and THAT would have been a tragedy. There are many others - my cat looking regal with a slow blink and his "mrrrr" or zooming around like mad - the rose bush that smells SO good outside the window - dark chocolate - plastic bottles - the tv remote control - remembering to look up once in awhile and recall how small our planet is and how we fit into the universe - my crazy brain that comes up with some REALLY weird stuff (but nothing quite as weird as the Fairly Odd Parents episode tonight)... Thank you, my bloggy friends, for your time and your comments. You all brighten my day and your hugs mean so much! I tip my cup to you, cheers! |
| Everything Changed in an Instant... |
| 07.23.04 (12:18 pm) [edit] |
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| One Giant Leap ... Happy Anniversary, Apollo 11!! |
| 07.21.04 (3:36 pm) [edit] |
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[image]almsthvn_574489029 .gif[/image] Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins July 16, 1969 -- Apollo 11 lifts off from Kennedy Space Center for an 8 day adventure. An estimated half a billion people around the world were watching. I was one of them. My Dad was quite taken with aviation and space & we watched a number of launches from along the roadside. I was only 6 but I do remember seeing the landing on tv. I marvel at the advances we made back then. Imagine the technology of 35 years ago and what it took to get them to the moon and back. Personal calculators were rare, computers took up entire rooms. Most calculations were performed by hand with a slide rule. Mankind had very little experience in space and three men strapped themselves to a rocket and hurtled into outer space with the intention of landing on the moon, blasting off again and returning home. What faith - and balls - they had! The advances in the next 35 years are stupendous. Not only were we driving on the moon but linking with Skylab, docking with Soyuz, and in 1981 we had space shuttles zipping off the planet and floating back to Earth. "Floating" is a bad choice of words. "Controlled hurtling" might be more accurate, especially in light of the danger as we learned in January of 2003. In a 20 year period, we had over 100 successful shuttle missions. Isn't that amazing? And we've had people living in space, aboard the International Space Station, for over 3 years. Stuff of science fiction when my parents were born. In the past year we've learned so much about Mars, Saturn and it's moons, and a private spacecraft has flown into and returned from space. What wonders await us in the NEXT 35 years? Buzz Aldrin, taken by Neil Armstrong (seen in reflection)
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| Crazy News: Or, Why I love the USA |
| 07.20.04 (6:08 pm) [edit] |
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You don't have to make stuff up to laugh, just read the news: Four inmates escape, go on beer run ROGERSVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- The party's over for four inmates accused of going on a beer run after the jail's doors were accidentally left unlocked. The men were charged Monday with escape and bringing alcohol into a jail... click link for more: http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/07/20/brf.inmates.beer.run.ap/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/07/20/brf.inmates.beer.run.ap/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/0... (B-double E-double R-U-N ... Beer Run!) Cheesy, nude Monn arrested MARYVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Michael P. Monn's birthday celebration went a little awry when he was arrested while drunk, nude and covered with nacho cheese. Monn was detained early Sunday as he ran toward a Jeep in the parking lot outside a swimming pool snack bar. http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/07/20/c heesy.arrest.ap/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/07/20/c heesy.arrest.ap/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/So... Portable Toilet Explodes BLACKSVILLE, West Virginia (AP) -- A man smoking in a portable toilet lit up more than a cigarette. The potty exploded Tuesday when a buildup of methane gas mixed with the lit cigarette, said a spokeswoman for Monongalia Emergency Medical Services. (Talk about having a crappy day!) http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/07/19/t oilet.explosion.ap/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/07/19/t oilet.explosion.ap/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/So... Syrupy evidence leads to suspect JACKSON, Michigan (AP) -- A robbery attempt at an ice cream store resulted in a not-so-sweet ending for a would-be thief who authorities say knocked over a large container of strawberry syrup. According to police, the 24-year-old man dropped his wallet (oops!) and apparently slipped in the goo during the break-in early Monday. http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/07/19 /sticky.situation.ap/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/07/19 /sticky.situation.ap/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Mi... |
| Teen Crushes that Embarass You Now |
| 07.18.04 (12:38 am) [edit] |
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My daughter, age 3, has serious hots for Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Sean from the show "Hi-5". It's totally adorable when she sees them "that's my Won Weaswey!" I'm told - though I have blocked any memory of it - that I once thought Donny Osmond was dreamy. The earliest "idols" that I can remember are various members of the Bay City Rollers. I even had a pair of jeans that I cropped and decorated with plaid stripes and trim. (Ye gads, how embarassing). Back then I also thought Roger Taylor of Queen was adorable - a theory I still hold to today :) Some habits never die. Swoon! [image]almsthvn_104038080 4.jpg[/image] |
| Da Vinci Code and reading obsessions |
| 07.17.04 (9:55 pm) [edit] |
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Who, me, susceptible to suggestion and obsession? Sybil mentioned the DaVinci Code in her blog. My husband came home from the library the same day with a copy in his hands. He didn't get around to reading it that night, so I picked it up and started reading about 10:30. I didn't put it down until 3:00 a.m. I really enjoyed it! Not only that but I dashed to the store the next day and picked up 2 other books by the same author. I finished "Digital Fortress" yesterday and started "Deception Point" today. I like the writer's style and mysteries have always been a favorite. I know Da Vinci Code generated a lot of fervor but I thought it was a fine mystery. I didn't look to it for a history book, or a religion class, just a good mystery. It does bring up some things to think about and it inspires you to do a little checking around. Just keep in mind it's from the fiction section, ok? If you like mysteries, give Dan Brown a whirl. .. adding on Sunday afternoon ... I've now read 3 of his 4 books. I've enjoyed them greatly and the other book is now on order. To make it even more fun, there are codes buried in the books and the website www.danbrown.com where you can test your own code-breaking savvy. I used to dabble in cryptography for awhile so this strikes a nice chord with me! I'd type more but my daughter requests my attention ... |
| Underwear is Important! |
| 07.15.04 (3:20 pm) [edit] |
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Always wear clean underwear in public, especially when working under your vehicle. From the Northwest Florida Daily News comes this story of a Crestview couple that drove their car to Wal-Mart, only to have their car break down in the parking lot. The man told his wife to carry on with the shopping while he fixed the car in the lot. The wife returned later to see a small group of people near the car. On closer inspection, she saw a pair of male legs protruding from under the chassis. Although the man was in shorts, his lack of underpants turned private parts into glaringly public ones. Unable to stand the embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward, quickly put her hand UP his shorts, and tucked everything back into place. On regaining her feet, she looked across the hood and found herself staring at her husband who was standing idly by. The mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his forehead. |
| I fell hard for him... |
| 07.14.04 (10:33 am) [edit] |
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The car was in for maintenance yesterday and I went to pick it up and pay the bill (shudder). The room looks like this... you drive in the front and park inside a huge room. The service desk is ahead of you to the left, the cashier is ahead of you to the right through a set of doors. The shop where the techs work is straight ahead in an adjacent building. I left the service desk, bill in hand, to walk to the cashier and WHAMMO. Next thing I knew, I was on the ground. Nice, hard, smooth concrete. And it made a big splatting noise. Nobody seemed to notice! I struggled back up. THEN I saw the huge puddle of sticky clearish liquid - and I'm coated in it. I hobble on to the cashier. I told them that I had fallen and in rushed the maintenance guy - he had heard me fall. I tried to wash up in the ladies room but it was so sticky I couldn't get it all off. It was all over my dress, too. Blech. Since it looked like I would live, I paid my bill and left. The maintenance guy checked again, told me it was coolant that had leaked from the last car and he'd tried to clean it up (it was still slick as glass). I had to walk back across it to my car and walked like a duck on ice to make sure I didn't fall again. Over night I thought about it more - what if I'd broken my arm instead of bruised? Or an elderly person fell and broke a hip? Or I'd hit my head on the concrete? I wrote a letter this morning describing the incident and making 5 suggestions how they could improve the safety of their garage. I hope they do something to make it safer. I'll let ya know what happens! |
| Watery Tarts |
| 07.13.04 (3:01 pm) [edit] |
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Movie lines that make me laugh everytime : "Watery tarts dispensing swords is no way to form a government!" (though to be fair, nearly everything from Holy Grail makes me laugh - one of the best films ever). "Be my density..." Back to the Future (I've used that one here before) "Why didn't you tell me that BEFORE I jumped on his head?" Ok, that's not a movie but a short video - 30 tbucks to whomever names it first! "Trudging. You know, Trudging? To Trudge..." From "A Knight's Tale" which makes me drool from start to finish (Also.. I'll fong you!!!) What are some of your favorite lines? |
| What makes a person sexy? |
| 07.12.04 (9:17 am) [edit] |
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For me, there needs to be a twinkle in the eye. Something that shows a spark of personality, a bit non-conventional, able to see humor in everyday events. Confidence - but not too much - is another turn on. Dependable - I need to know they've got my back when the chips are down, and that I don't HAVE to be responsible for everything. I'm a rather independent person (there's an understatement!) so I like being on my own 2 feet - but knowing there's a safety net for those times when I don't feel like Wonder Woman is crucial. What do you think makes a person sexy? |
| I'm an Ebay-a-holic |
| 07.10.04 (9:30 pm) [edit] |
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There, I said it. I love shopping on ebay. Trying to time that last bid... discovering some little rare "must have" or "must give". Between Ebay and online payments, I never have to leave the house - just a few clicks and stuff appears on my doorstep. Isn't that cool?! I can't think of any major great deals I've scored, just a few little things... a Hallmark Ornament my Mom really wanted, Teletubbies for my daughter after they'd gone out of vogue, and occasionally a rare genealogy-type book. Has anyone else gotten a really good bargain from online auctions? |
| Observations on Late Night TV Blipping |
| 07.09.04 (12:35 am) [edit] |
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Roger Clemmons has HUGE hands. Conan O'Brien is a funny host but I wouldn't want to live with him. Does Max Weinberg have a steel rod for a spine? He never moves. I don't get the appeal of these blind-date-with-camera-cr ew shows. Maybe it's the fear factor, because they scare me to death. I don't WANT to be back on the dating scene if that's what it's like. Jack La Lane's wife's name is Elaine. Elaine La Lane. Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell - only a few minutes aired but she makes him nervous. I enjoyed that. Ali and Jack? what? with Richard Simmons? in sequins? click. What possesses me to stay up so late watching talk shows and celebrity poker? Am I going to meet any of these people? No. Does knowing Jack La Lane's wife's name change my life? No. So why aren't I asleep!? |
| Wales, Antonio, Rockets and Fish |
| 07.05.04 (5:09 pm) [edit] |
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This July 4th weekend was fairly mellow. It included a quick call from pal Andrew in Wales. He'd just spent a week in the countryside in a training class and emailed me the pics. The pics are simply gorgeous. I really must get to the UK and spend at least a few weeks poking around. Katie's favorite babysitter is in town so she came over for a bit and Doug and I went to Shrek 2. Very cute! Antonio Banderas ... sigh! We didn't go anywhere for parades or fireworks. We could see plenty of neighborhood fireworks from our windows. It was most fun to watch Katie watch them. I'm usually really into it but this year it was harder. I'm quite proud to be in the USA but am concerned about the road we're on. Katie's too young to care about that, so we just enjoyed the booms and sparkles. Probably best :) Today was a company holiday. My Mississippi cousin and his family are visiting my folks so we met up at the aquarium. The exhibits are really well done and Katie was a riot. My dad made a surprise visit - any excuse to drive the new car (and see Katie) so it was a lot of fun!!! And with Mom and Dad helping with Katie, I even got a few minutes to read the signs and enjoy the exhibits a litle more. So it's been a mellow weekend with some very nice moments. Can't ask for much better than that, eh :) Hope you all had a good weekend, too, and that your loved ones are safe no matter where they are... Sheryl |
| 20 Years? But I'm so young! |
| 07.01.04 (10:08 pm) [edit] |
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Sunday was my anniversary - 20 years with the company. 1984 a VERY young gal ;) moved from the hills of West Virginia to the Big City. I didn't know a soul over here but was thrilled to get a good job and get out on my own. I'd love to say it seems just like yesterday, but it feels about 20 years ago. Promotions, reorgs, layoffs, more reorgs, a few mergers, company name changes, and a relocation. I'm really lucky to have a job that pays well, uses my skills, & gives me a sense of fulfillment - most years. One thing I've learned is that if I don't like the way things are, it is possible to wait it out. I think I've had 7 different bosses? Man it's tough to break in a new one ;) 20 years seems like a really long time but I've got 24 years or so before I can retire. Now THAT seems like an infinitely long time! Crossing my fingers... |
| CURRENT MOON lunar phases |
COOL STUFF
Childrin R Skary SLIDESHOWS
Music-Pals slideshow!
View my Katie Slideshow!
MUSIC LINKS
Mike Keneally, amazing guitarist
NoneRadio, weekly shows highlighting artists like Keneally, Vai, Zappa, etc.
RadioKeneally, streaming music of Mike's choosing
in 't wild (Dutch band, oh so good!)
NullFactor (tblog's own!)
GENEALOGY LINKS
My Genealogy Data on Rootsweb
Cyndi's List, supreme collection of links