Snow bizzznezzzzzz-snort-zzzzzzz

>> Friday, November 28, 2008

It's safe to say that this time of the year is hibernation mode. If you're prone to studying the backs of your eyelids when cold weather sets in, you may possibly wake to a soft layer of peach fuzz across your bum. ;o)

After a meal of Thanksgiving leftovers, I fought to keep my eyes open while watching Hancock. Much to my chagrin, the fluttering of eyelids could be likened to Morse code. Prior to starting the movie, dh stepped out (in shorts and a t-shirt) onto the front porch to see how much snow had fallen. "Looks like we've got about an inch and a half of snow," he called out. To affirm the chilly report, he walked back inside with a brick-sized amount of snow and took a bite. I grinned and shook my head. "Baby, that's nasty. You ever hear of fallout?" He offered the brick to me and asked, "Didn't you ever eat snow as a kid?" With a raised eyebrow, I replied, "Of course I did but if I was a kid in the present day and time, I wouldn't eat it." Despite the playful chide, he finished the majority of the cold brick, tossing the remnants in the kitchen sink.

I don't think much affects his immune system. LoL! I do believe his stomach has a steel lining. I only know of one account in which he's had food poisoning (from a local restaurant some years ago). Seldom does he ever suffer from indigestion, acid reflux, or other stomach ailments. I'm definitely no stranger to any of it. I've learned to moderate, eating whole wheat breads, more fruits and vegetables while limiting fried or spicy foods. The change in diet has made a big difference, that's for certain.

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Turkey Day ...

>> Thursday, November 27, 2008


This gives new meaning to the phrases "A bird in the hand beats two in a bush" and "Get stuffed." :oÞ



Happy Thanksgiving!

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Hello? Is it me you're looking for? ...

>> Monday, November 24, 2008


As a result of last Wednesday, I've found myself listening more closely for the phone. We have a device on our phone called a telemarketing call screener. The contraption is handy but it can be bothersome. It's set to kick in after one ring. If it's a friend or family member calling, the screener device will ring in such a tone that it sounds a bit like a digital alarm clock - not quite as loud though. I really have to listen in case a call comes through. It's good for the fact that I don't have to listen to automated telemarketers on the answering machine. On the flipside, we can't hook our answering machine up through the screener. It simply won't pick up.

I do realize that telemarketers are human. LoL! For a brief period of time, I was a "research assistant" for a company which valued public opinion on different products and issues. We weren't promoting anything whatsoever. We would call people throughout the nation and ask for their opinion. The only cost to them was a few minutes of their time. Despite the fact that I wasn't selling anything, my ears nearly turned black and fell off due to being called everything but a white woman and screamed/cursed at in such a manner that a sailor would blush. I'd smile to myself, knowing full well I wasn't the crux of the anger. It's just a matter of timing.

Regardless, I don't want to listen to the spiel. In an attempt to abate the barrage of calls, I added our number to the
National Do Not Call Registry. It could be my imagination but it does seem much quieter - or I'm going deaf. LoL!

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Robots, Kung Fu, and the Popcorn ...

>> Friday, November 21, 2008

If you like animated movies but haven't seen Kung Fu Panda or Wall-E, you really should. Dh and I watched both of the films earlier tonight. I won't go into great detail and spoil it for other movie lovers.

KFP (Kung Fu Panda) portrays its main character, Po (Jack Black), as a panda who faces a few challenges on his path to discovering his inner strength. There have been a few animated movies which bear a strong resemblance to this premise. KFP differentiates in regards to diversity and camaraderie. Various walks of life are able to work together, gaining respect for one another in the quest for peace.

Wall-E opens with a solitary robot, Wall-E, who goes about compacting and organizing trash which has taken over the world (due to humans, naturally). After Wall-E encounters a robot sent to Earth, his life takes a 180 degree turn. With more encounters along the way, he inadvertently changes the course of the planet and others lives.

Humor abound in both movies, I have to say. Impressive graphics and effects were duly noted as well. Both movies definitely fit the "feel good" category. If you need a good laugh, Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E will surely satisfy the funny bone crave.

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Quite quiet ...

>> Wednesday, November 19, 2008

After a game of phone-tag, it appears that I'll be going in for an interview and an update of my personal information with an employment agency I've used in the past. I was asked if I preferred office/clerical or light industrial work.

me: "I prefer office/clerical but at this point, I'm not choosy. Either area of employment is more than okay with me."

recruiter: "I regret to say it's really quiet in office/clerical. You'd have a better chance in light industrial."

That was a snippet of yesterday's conversation at the employment agency. I received a call this morning which led me to believe that I'd have an easier time being paid to tap dance in a bikini while on the street corner (it's feeling like winter here, so that would be quite a sight). Today's call was from a different recruiter with the agency. It appears the recruiters use the catch phrase "it's really quiet in _fill in the blank_". I've had this mental image of employment recruiters ducking behind potted plants and wearing sunglasses as a prospective employee walks in the door. I didn't see but two job seekers yesterday, so it appears that not very many are hurting for employment here.

Off to bury my cold nose in a mound of blankets. G'night!

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Bollywood at its finest ...

Yes, it's Bollywood. Watch and see what you think. This tune is featured in the movie Ghost World, by the way. Great movie and great music.

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What Goes on Behind Stall Doors ...

>> Tuesday, November 18, 2008

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied.


Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.


You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern 'seat covers' (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume 'The Stance.'


In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold 'The Stance.'


To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, 'Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!' Your thighs shake more.


You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.


Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. "Occupied!", you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, 'You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get.'


By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in, too.


At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.


You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.


You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe (Where was that when you NEEDED it??). You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this."


As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?"


This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door!



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This funny was e-mailed to me. Hoping it gives you a chuckle, too.

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Pick yourself up, dust yourself off ...

>> Saturday, November 15, 2008

Much has been going on in the past few days, I have to admit. My brain has been reeling with the phrases, "suck it up ... don't complain ... other people have it worse ... square the shoulders and smile ... you'll be fine ... no one likes a whinger ... keep going." You see, my mom died a couple of years ago during this time of the year. I'm not accustomed to talking about her death with anyone, much less writing about the loss, so this is a first. Putting it to "virtual paper" could possibly prove to be cathartic. That remains to be seen.

I do recall my final Thanksgiving at the "ol' homestead" four years ago. As usual, mom loaded me up with tons of leftovers, being sure to double check that nothing was left behind and ask me if there was anything else I needed (tp, canned goods, paper towels, soft drinks, etc.). She never wanted me to go empty handed. With a word of reassurance that the leftovers were more than enough, I gave her a hug then headed back to my place. It didn't sink in until I was on the outskirts of my hometown, about to turn onto the highway, that I realized we just celebrated our final Thanksgiving in the house I grew up for the majority of my young adult life. I had to pull the car over on the side of the road because I couldn't see. Thankfully, there was no traffic as I sat there bawling like a baby. After a few minutes, I was able to compose myself for the hour and fifteen minute trip back to my place. That was such a long drive. After putting the leftovers away, I called mom to let her know I was safe and sound.

I think what keeps me going is remembering how she kept going. She was a fighter with a sharp mind and great sense of humor. Never once did I ever see her downtrodden. She was never over the top with her humor, kindness, or outlook on life. She had a big heart but didn't overdramatize/gush. She was the epitome of sincerity and simplicity. I was extremely blessed to have such a loving and understanding mother. Yes, I know every single one of us has at least one enemy; however, I can't think of anyone who didn't like her. When she initially became ill, there was such an abundance of community support that it was a bit overwhelming. Since I live so far away now, it's difficult to remain connected. I do have one older sister who resides in a neighboring state but have only talked to her a couple of times since mom died. That's another issue for a potential future post. LoL!

In the midst of all of the emotion this past week, I've been sending in job applications. Since dh's hours were significantly cut, job hunting has proven to be more stressful. There's only so much a person can do/control. For some reason, the term "batshit" comes to mind. I sure don't want to get to that point, and really, I can't see that happening. I think of what mom would tell me. She would say, "You're doing the right thing. Keep applying and something will happen. Whatever you do, I just want you to be happy."

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And, I quote ...

>> Thursday, November 6, 2008

"We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something." -- Sandra Day O'Connor

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." -- Chief Seattle

"Don't be concerned about others not appreciating you. Be concerned about your ability to appreciate others." -- Confucius

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Jokin' ...

>> Wednesday, November 5, 2008


Hell Hath No Fury



She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things. On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candlelight, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of Chardonnay. When she finished, she went into every room and stuffed half-eaten, caviar-dipped shrimp shells inside the hollow section of all the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.


When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days. Then, slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything - cleaning, mopping, and airing the place out. Vents were checked for dead rodents, carpets were steam-cleaned and air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days. In the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked. People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit.


Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move. A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out, and eventually, even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place. The ex-wife called the man, and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely, and said that she missed her old home terribly, and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back. Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/14th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed, and, within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork. A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home, including the curtain rods.


I love a happy ending. Don't you? LoL!!!



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Cardiologist Funeral


A cardiologist died and was given an elaborate funeral. A huge heart covered in flowers stood behind the casket during the service. Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket rolled inside. The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever.


At that point, one of the mourners burst into laughter. When all eyes stared at him, he said, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking of my own funeral. I'm a gynecologist." That's when the proctologist fainted.



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Teacher's Pest


There's a teacher in a small Arizona town who asks her class how many of them are John McCain fans. Not really knowing what a McCain fan is, but wanting to be liked by the teacher, all the kids raise their hands except one boy, Johnny.


The teacher asks Johnny why he has decided to be different. Johnny says, "I'm not a McCain fan." The teacher asks, "Why aren't you a McCain fan?" Johnny says, "I'm a Barack Obama fan."


The teacher asks why he's a Barack Obama fan. The boy says, "Well, my mom's a Barack Obama fan, and my Dad's a Barack Obama fan, so I'm a Barack Obama fan!" The teacher is angry, so she asks, "What if your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot? What would that make you?"


Johnny says, "That would make me a 'McCalin' fan."









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Take a dip ...

>> Monday, November 3, 2008

Since "Turkey Day" is around the corner, I've already begun to compile the shopping list. At the mention of red fish of any kind, dh will wrinkle his nose; however, I've managed to cajole him somewhat. LoL! I made dill salmon dip last year. Surprisingly, he inhaled nearly every bit of the appetizer. For those of you preparing for the holiday season ahead or simply craving a delectable snack, here's the dill salmon dip recipe:

Ingredients:

1 package (8 oz.) softened cream cheese
1 package (7-8 oz.) salmon - boneless/skinless
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 teaspoon horseradish
1/2 teaspoon dillweed
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of Liquid Smoke


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Directions:

Mix cream cheese and mayonnaise together. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Chill in refrigerator for an hour. Enjoy.


**You can serve this with vegetables and/or crackers. It goes well with celery, carrots, and/or Keebler Club crackers. If you have difficulty locating the Liquid Smoke, it may possibly be in the condiment aisle at your local Wal-mart store.

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Don't dream it's over ...






Considering the massive amount of smear campaigns in the media over the past few weeks, I've been quite ready for this election to come to an end the moment it began. Car salesmen and politicians belong in one group, the blowhards. When their mouths are moving, they're lying.

I admit that I haven't voted in an election for at least 10 years. My basis for this conscious choice is rooted in the fact the electoral college exists. While surfing, I found an interesting article which demystifies the process and clarifies the apathetic perception some of us exhibit during election time.

Bratek states, "if large states that have many votes in the college all vote for one candidate, even if that candidate won only by a small majority, the voting process is weighed down by votes that may not reflect everyone’s views."

She also points out this has occurred more than once. This is how George W. Bush became the "resident-in-thief".

Personally, I think the eradication of the electoral college would be an affirmation of being on the right democratic path. Yes, I know it sounds like an oxymoron but I can't help but think the act might mold some into honest politicians.




Get rid of the Electoral College

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Not a "Saturday Love" ...

>> Sunday, November 2, 2008

I admit that I was a nerd growing up (obviously, I still meet the criteria). :oP






You Are Monday



Like this day of the week, you are ruled by the moon.

More than anything, you are flexible.

You are moody and impressionable. You are easily influenced by the world around you.

And while you can be temperamental, you eventually adjust.


While Mondays tend to be the hardest day for people, you don't mind getting back to regular life.

You're the one waking up early and making the coffee while everyone else complains.

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