Breeze on By

(Semi-)Private Showing

2008-04-24T19:16:00.002-05:00

I knew I had to see it in the theater or I would regret it. I wasn't expecting much from the movie, but since my Donny was in it, I knew I had to go. If nothing else, it would just be fun to see him up there on the big screen, larger than life.

I went to the "matinee" this afternoon. Well, the 4:50 showing, but it is still at matinee prices. Yes! I really can't stand paying $8.00 for a movie. I got my $6.00 ticket and my $7.25 worth of popcorn and soda...geez....and made my way to theater number 5. I had the whole place to myself. Hmmm, where should I sit. I got as close to the middle as I could and made myself comfy. Soon, the previews started and just as they were wrapping up...in walked two more people. Damn. Oh well.

I think Martin Lawrence is pretty funny. Raven - meh. Albert the pig was really great. And then there was my Donny....The part was perfect for him. I can't even imagine anyone else in the role.

So anyway, I was pleasantly surprised -- the movie was actually entertaining. I laughed. I oogled Donny. I ate popcorn. It's all good.

And another thing...going to a movie by myself....WAAAYYYYY out of my comfort zone. I did it. I lived. Go me.

Catch Up on C.B.S.*

2008-04-23T13:31:00.003-05:00

Damn, I suck at blogging. It's not that I'm too busy to blog. Just been too boring lately.

I'm falling apart physically. I have been doing physical therapy for the last two weeks for tennis elbow. I visited my chiropractor today because my neck is all out of place. My right foot is killing me so I have it taped up. Might have to go visit my podiatrist too if this doesn't clear up soon. I'm on a big dose of Naproxen for the tennis elbow, so I'm just amazed that anything CAN hurt. GEEZ - I sound like an old lady.

I'm sure that a big part of my physical woes is the excess weight I carry around, but I also haven't been exercising AT ALL. grrrr. at me.

Last week, I went to see "To Kill a Mockingbird." Great movie - I had never seen it before. We have a local group, Cinema 100, that brings in movies that aren't normally shown in this tiny market we inhabit.

Still busy with school. Had to do a paper for the stupid on-line class last week that involved visiting and then writing about a culture you have never had any experience with. UMMMM, we live in North Dakota--- home of the white people ---- After much contemplation, I wrote about my experiences visiting Tb in jail. The names were changed to protect the not so innocent.
I got an A. Still have a sucky grade though because of my midterm test and a couple assignments I just couldn't figure out what to do. I hate this class with a passion.

My accounting class is at that wonderful point where we are doing a practice set. The trial balance is due tonight. I ran mine last night and was off a penny. I found it right away....just from rounding. I rock.

Things with Tb are going okay. Most of the time really good. For example: His glasses broke and he took care of getting contacts all by himself. But he still throws me a curveball every once in a while. For example: He just can't stay off the porn sites on my home computer. This after I had already put a block on all websites that are rated badly or not rated. He apologized and I removed that. Then last night..... ugh!!! Just gotta say this - you would think a 21 year old would know better. I guess seeing titties is more important than respecting my wishes. Last night, I set the computer up with a password. He will not be getting on it unless I am home. How many days til August?

Spring is still alluding us. Although the temperatures have been decent, we are still getting blasted with cold Canadian air.

Work has been weird. We are having heat pumps replaced in the building, so for one day last week, my cubicle was inaccessible. Damn. Had to take a vacation day. :o) Still trying to get everything put away. My desk was a mess and I am sick of that. Trying to get it organized all nice and neat. Very trying for me.

Other than that, missing Yan, knitting on Monday nights, sleeping and watching tv. Yeah, it's an exciting life......

*C.B.S. = Crappy Boring Stuff (my favorite search that brought someone to my blog)

Major Medical Breakthrough

2008-04-10T16:11:00.002-05:00

Two people sent me this today.....Maybe I have issues?

Why?

2008-04-10T08:06:00.002-05:00

Anyone???

Comment on a Comment

2008-04-04T15:17:00.002-05:00

From ScarletVirago

...and you have time to blog for the gratification of people you don't even know!

Overachieve, much?

You rock.

It's just cuz I love all youse guys!!!!

And really, I do enjoy having a blog, just haven't had the time to play with it much....and no, Miss C, not because of the toy!!

Due to Under-whelming Demand...

2008-03-31T17:25:00.001-05:00

I have returned!

I've just been busy busy busy lately. Nothing exciting, of course, but still damn busy.

School:

Going well, made it mid-term. I got an A in my Management and Leadership class. It was a block class, so it's done. I have a C as a mid-term in my stupid on-line class that I absolutely HATE! I have no idea what my accounting mid-term is. But I'm sure it is fine. I'm all registered for Summer classes: Computerized Accounting (in person) and Spreadsheet Applications (on-line). And for fall classes: Income Tax & Accounting Information Systems (in person) and Business Law (on-line).

The Boy:

Tomorrow, the boy is sprung. He is coming home. I'm cautiously optimistic that he has learned his lesson and things will go well. We shall see.

His 21st birthday is on the 7th, so we are planning a Welcome Home/Birthday Party for the 6th. There will be cake.

Yan:

Yan is moved. Yan has moved into her new apartment and she started her new job today. So far, so good. But I sure do miss her.

Entertainment:

Still loving Six Feet Under. I'm almost done with Season 2. It's kickass!

The boy and I have been to several movies. Went to "21" this weekend, it was pretty good. A little slow in spots, but lots of math and numbers. I like math and numbers.

Last weekend we saw "Bank Job". Lots of titties in the first few scenes, so I told Tb that now I didn't have to take him to a strip club for his 21st birthday. It was a good movie and Miss C was right about wanting a thermic lance. I gotta get me one of those!!

Hating Big Brother 9. nuff said.

Knitting:

Still knitting every chance I get. It's way more fun than housework and homework. I am working on a hat and started some socks...third time is the charm. I've started two other times, but they were too big. This pair is a bit big, but they are wool and just might shrink.

That's all the crappy boring stuff I can come up with right now.

2008-03-18T15:41:00.004-05:00

Rare Mummified Dinosaur FOUND!!

In North Dakota --- of all places!!

I actually know some of the people quoted in the article.

Dakota will be on display early this summer for all the world to see. And while you are here seeing it, you could just as well stop in and see another old dinosaur....me!! harharhar

In the Mood for a Meme

2008-03-17T11:16:00.006-05:00

A Meme In Pictures (Stolen from Tug)

Here’s how it works:

1. Go to Photobucket
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box
3. Use only the first page
4. Insert the picture into your Blog

1. What is your relationship status?

2. What is your current mood?

3. What is your favorite band?

4. What is your favorite movie?

5. What kind of pets do you have?

6. Where do you live?

7. Where do you work?

8. What do you look like?

9. What do you drive?

10. What did you do last night?

Watched the movie - didn't actually do Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling....

11. What is your favorite tv show?

12. Describe yourself

13. What are you doing tomorrow?

14. What is your name?

15. What is your favorite candy?

Broke My Cherry-oke!

2008-03-08T07:46:00.004-06:00

Last night we held a gathering in honor of Yan's imminent departure at --- THE BOWLING ALLEY! There was drinking, dancing, eating, talk of bowling....and karaoke!! Yan and I had talked almost from our very first conversation about doing karaoke, sometime. Well, now we have! It was so fun!! Yan and I sang "Daydream Believer" ala the Monkees. And we drafted a couple of the drunk boys to do a rousing rendition of a lovely polka called "Grab Your Balls We're Going Bowling". I can't remember ever laughing that hard - ever.

Why - oh why did we wait so long to do this??? We could have been discovered by now! HA!

Things I Learned from Mr. Yan

2008-03-07T12:27:00.003-06:00

BAD = Today is Yan's last day at work. GOOD = We get to eat cake. In honor of her last day here, I've compiled a list of just some of the things I've learned from Yan:

You can’t judge a book by its cover.

Not ALL Liberals are evil. She is evil, but not because of her liberalness.

Sometimes, it’s okay to kiss a girl.

Ingesting Soy milk will not kill me.

Collecting old cookbooks is fun! And heavy.

I like reading movies.

Owning a tiara is a necessity.

Battlestar Galactic ROCKS!

Sometimes you just have to walk around the mall the wrong way. Even if the person you are with is kicking and screaming the whole way.

Hating myself won’t help the problem, whatever it is. (Still working on that one)

Minutes should always be taken on a napkin when you are out drinking.

Everything tastes better on The Deck.

Sing-a-longs are fun, even if you sing badly and don’t know the words.

Great Big Bowl o'Fun

2008-03-05T18:45:00.000-06:00

I found this great bowl at a cute little shop in Minot on Saturday. I have always wanted to "decorate" my kitchen using the cookie jar in the picture as inspiration. The bowl isn't an exact match, but it's close enough for me. Now that I have two items, I'll have to look for more and make it happen.

Yan and I drove up to Minot on Saturday. She got a new car, so we had to make sure it was road-worthy. It is. She'll have a very pleasant drive to her new destination. Well, that is if the kitty prozac works. I can't imagine driving 1800 miles with two cats in the car. Good thing one of her friends is going along, she can kitty wrangle.

While in Minot, we visited the Yarn Stash. Yep, I need more yarn!! Really. I found a pattern for a scarf that is going to take me forever, so if I start on it now, maybe I'll have it done by next winter. Of course, I'm beginning to think this winter will never end, but that's another story.

Next door to the Yarn Stash, we found the cutest little shop that sold vintage items. I found a history of North Dakota basketball year-book type thing from the late 70's. Thought I might know someone in it. I did. I didn't buy it, just looked at the pictures for awhile. I did buy the bowl. I bought for another purpose, but it won't work for that. And I found a Confuscius figurine. It will go well with the middle-eastern elephant and Buddha in the spare room.

Yesterday, Yan - who is diligently cleaning out her cubicle - gave me a book of recipes from 130 different women from North Dakota. Yeah, I know one of them. This freaks her out. Makes me laugh.

I gotta go watch the train wreck that is BB9.

Meet Sam

2008-03-03T20:33:00.003-06:00

Warning: If you are under 18, please get your parent's permission before continuing to read this post.

A month ago, give or take a week or two, I decided that I was sick and tired of waiting for a man to satisfy my every whim, so I ordered a sex toy. The wonderful people at Babeland had a wonderful selection of wonderful toys that do wonderful things. I'm quite happy with my selection. I have named him Sam. Sam does everything he promised to do. Sam is quite good at satisfying my every whim. Well, except for when the whim is getting me a bowl of ice cream....

And as an added bonus. I got this nifty tote bag that I can't think of one single place I will ever need to tote things to in it. Not exactly a bag to tote my lunch to work, or my knitting to the public library, or my makeup to Mom's.....Nifty though.

Big Tits*

2008-02-29T11:24:00.005-06:00

Technically, I guess it's an udder....but it's big! Meet Salem Sue - the world's largest holstein. Yan and I stopped on our way home to take her picture. It was very cold and very windy up on the hill! Here is a pic of Yan and Sue. Yan is about 5'6" tall to give you an idea of how big Sue is.
I really don't get why they had to put those veins on there-- ick!

*Site meter should have some fun with that title!!

ROADTRIP!!!!

2008-02-27T08:16:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow, Kt, I mean Yan, and I are hitting the road. She is going on her last official out-of-town trip for our agency. I'm going for a ride in the car. We are heading off to Bowman. She is looking at an old house that may or may not be eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I'm going because it will be an opportunity for us to spend a day together before she moves on. Geez, just typing that makes me tear up. These next couple of weeks are going to suck big time.

Tug and I spent a great deal of time in Bowman during high school....it's where all the cute boys lived! In fact one of our more "infamous" capers involved a trip to Bowman. We each told our parents we were staying with the other and drove over to Bowman, came back the next day. We really thought we were smart...We had fun though. Met a cute boy named Duh-wayne. He was tall, drove a Chevette. He wanted to take a shower with me. Weird. Not sure that it was worth being grounded until I was 42.

Tomorrow's trip will make a new memory. It will be fun, but sad. Great friends like Yan don't come along every day....

Not only do I want to do her.....

2008-02-26T14:00:00.001-06:00

....apparently, I AM her. Because we all know just how accurate these quizzes are....

Which Battlestar Galactica Character Are You?

More on Battlestar Galactica. Created by BuddyTV

Newsworthy

2008-02-23T17:32:00.003-06:00

Last month our communications officer received a request from a local television reporter for ideas for stories for sweeps month. He does a series called "Off the Beaten Path" and was looking for items of interest in Western North Dakota or Eastern Montana. I suggested this interesting tidbit from my old stomping grounds.

Must be a slow news day....

Must be Quiz Day

2008-02-22T15:17:00.002-06:00

Your IQ Is 115

Your Logical Intelligence is Above Average

Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius

Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius

Your General Knowledge is Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

I gotta admit ---- I only took this one because it was dirty...and I have a dirty mind.

Spice Girl

2008-02-22T15:07:00.001-06:00

You Are Garlic

Of all the spice types, you are the most universally loved.
You get long with pretty much everyone, and you leave a lasting impression.
You adapt yourself well to situations. You can fit in or stand out, depending on what you're called on to do.

What Spice Are You?

Counting

2008-02-22T14:19:00.004-06:00

Kt (or Yan as she is going by these days) is leaving in 23 days. She is moving 1798 miles away. I don't like this at all. But I'm happy for her anyway.

This one time, when I was out at the front desk, I was doing something that required me to count. I made some tick marks similar to the picture on a piece of scratch paper and left them there. When the stinky receptionist came back, she had some sort of weird freak-out over the marks. So, another time when I was out there, I did it again. Just because. I wasn't really counting anything, just counting on her freaking out. And she did. On Wednesday this week, I did it one more time and guess what? She freaked again. Unfortunately, she brought her stinky self all the way back to my cubicle to ask me what they were which left a nasty funk in my air. What is so bad, scary, weird about these marks? Am I missing something? Oh well, I enjoy being evil.

Big Brother is on the air again...and of course, I'm watching it. Not impressed so far. I was uber-excited before it aired because I thought there were 3 gay boys in the cast, turns out there were only 2. Then one of them had to leave for some sort of personal issue....now there is but 1. Bummer.

Movie Reviews

2008-02-20T12:20:00.002-06:00

I saw some movies!! Two of them were actually in a movie theatre!!

Kt and I went to see "Juno" on Valentine's Day, because what says Happy VD more than an unplanned teen pregnancy? Then the Tb and I went to see "Jumper" on Saturday and Kt and I watched "Martian Child" on Saturday night.

Juno - Loved, loved, loved the movie. Loved the dialogue. Loved the actors. Loved the soundtrack. Loved that it made me laugh. Loved that it made me cry. Loved, loved, loved the movie. Bonus - I also bought the soundtrack CD, cuz the music is grooooovy!

Jumper - I knew nothing about this movie other than that it was something both Tb and I would like and that it played at a time we could get to it. It was pretty good. I wish there would have been more explanation into why he could jump and why the bad guys want to kill them. But wait...are they the bad guys? Samuel L. Jackson was on Rachel Ray yesterday and said that maybe they weren't the bad guys....there could be two more movies coming....maybe they will explain more. Or I could read the books. But I won't.

Martian Child - Disclaimer: I would be willing to watch John Cusack peel potatoes for two hours. I liked this movie. John was cute, the boy was cute, Joan Cusack was in it - love her too. It was a good story.

By Popular Demand

2008-02-07T14:34:00.000-06:00

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!!

2008-02-07T14:13:00.000-06:00

You Are Jan Brady

Brainy and a little introverted, you tend to think life is a lot worse than it actually is.And while you may think you're a little goofy looking, most people consider you to be a major babe.

What Brady are you?

WTF?!?! It's February!?!

2008-02-05T14:26:00.000-06:00

Geez - where is this year going? And how great am I doing at the whole "blog more often" thing? I have a few in the works....just haven't finished them.

Yesterday I started journalling again. Not the kind of journal you all are probably thinking of. It is this journal.....

...a Weight Watchers Food Journal. My new mantra: "Journal, journal, journal." As much as I love the Core Plan, I have to do the Flex Plan. I feel so good when doing Core, but really have trouble sticking to it. So, I'm back to counting points and writing it all down. Yesterday, I ate 2 points over the recommended points for my weight. Four more than I wanted to. And failed miserably at the 5 servings of fruit and vegetables recommendation. But I wrote it all down.

Saturday night I made the news. Must have been a slow news day here because they actually showed footage of me knitting. Unfortunately, there is no video link for this story, because I know how fascinated the world would be to see me knitting.

I found a new time sucker. I joined Ravelry. It's a knitting community. Still in beta so you have to have an invite to join, but it sure is fun. You can keep track of your WIP's, FO's, Stash and needles. {WIP - Work in Progress. FO - Finished Object. Stash - yarn you bought but haven't used yet. Needles - knitting needles obviously.} You can put projects you want to do in your queue, make new friends on the message boards....all kinds of fun. They link through flickr for the photos, so if you are checking my flickr page and NOT into yarn....sorry.....

My parents are on a cruise to Cozumel as I write this. I'm so jealous. We got about 4 inches of snow yesterday.....I bet there is no snow in Cozumel. It's probably warm too.

School is going pretty good. Still not overly enthused about the on-line class, but gotta do it. I'm a bit stressed out about homework this week - Just had WAY TOO MUCH! Might have to take some time off tomorrow so I'm ready for accounting class tomorrow night.

My friend Kt is leaving me. She got two job offers last week. And now, she will be moving far, far away. I'm bummed. But really happy for her.

My Meme

2008-01-30T15:28:00.000-06:00

Pink tagged me about a million years ago.....I love being tagged! Here is my meme:

1. Two things you do well.
procrastinate
bitch
2. Two things you're not so good at.
Relationships with actual human beings
Finishing things I start
3. Two extraordinary things you plan to do this year.
Learn to play the mandolin
Finish things I start
4. Two items in your house you should get rid of.
Nearly-dead peace lily in the living room
A wax stain on the carpet
5. Your two favorite beverages.
Diet Coke
Strawberry margarita
6. Two of your nicknames.
Cooth
Miss Smarty
7. Two places you've never been that you'd like to go to.
Anywhere tropical
England
8. Two of your favorite authors.
Dean Koontz
Lee Child
9. Your two favorite outfits.
Jeans and anything
My pink sweater and anything
My pink sweater and jeans….comfort and joy
10. Two words you hate hearing.
Nother
Unthaw

I'm taggging everybody!! Everybody that wants to play along, that is!

Final Countdown

2008-01-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

I'm at the crap-job....2 hours left!!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!

Then, I'm off to the gym to walk a mile. Now that I have an "extra" five and a half hours a week, I have no excuses for not exercising. As much as I enjoy my water aerobics class, I truly believe the only way I'm going to get some fat off my ass is to get off my fat ass and start walking. So, I'm shooting for a mile a day. Everyday. My foot has been bothering me a lot lately, so I'm all doped up on Aleve. This is another problem that can probably be corrected if I would just lose some weight.

Clean Slate

2008-01-18T12:45:00.000-06:00

I am alive. Not that anyone asked, but I am. I just love a new year. It's like a fresh, clean chalkboard, just waiting for someone to write on it. 2007 was not a great year for me. I'm hoping 2008 will be better, perhaps even smashing!

Highlights of the year, so far:

=Quit the crap-job. Sunday will be my last day. Yippee!!

=Started classes at a new school. So far, I'm loving it - except the online class, I'm tolerating that one.

=Tb is back in town and back to work at his old job and doing well.

=I have a new niece. She is a cute little red-head. Just like me.... ;o)

So what are my goals for the new year?

=Read more for pleasure. I used to read voraciously. I miss it. I have an entire bookshelf full of books I want to read. I love to go to the books by the pound sale and buy more. I'm not allowing myself to go to the spring sale unless at least two previous purchases have been read. Thanks to the writer's strike, this has been an easy one to get going on.

=Finish what I start. I love to start new projects....I have many of them. Can't start a new one until I finish an old one.

=Finish what I start. I'm very good at starting to clean my bedroom, but get distracted by a phone call, the computer, something shiny.....I'm not going to stress over not finishing, but I'm really going to make a concerted effort to follow through.

=Lose 31 pounds. This will take me back to a weight I swore I would never get over again. Then, I can start working towards the next lower weight I swore I would never get over again.

=Blog more often. Comment more often on other blogs. I read alot of interesting blogs, but don't comment often - I'm not shy anywhere else - why am I in the blogosphere? I know my blog isn't the most exciting spot on the web, but I enjoy it.

=Stop sweating the small stuff. Enjoy today.

=Go on 1 date. Yep, I said 1. I'm signed up on a dating site. It's not going well. I guess I may just be too repulsive to date. Oh well. Not looking to get married or even laid. Just want to see if I remember how to date.

=Clean and organize my desk at work. Then, keep it that way.

=Spend more time with friends. I'm slowly but surely becoming a hermit.

So here is my first post of the new year.....so much for blogging more often.....Oh well, I'm not sweating the small stuff, I started the post and finished it, I'm having lunch with a friend tomorrow, and here is a pic of my latest knitting project:

Mittens for me - they just so happen to match a hat I made for myself, but haven't gotten around to photographing.

More North Dakota Stuff - continued

2007-12-26T15:39:00.000-06:00

Started this on 9/6/07 - I think it may be time to finish it.....

It's a continuation of this post.

Lynn Anderson- I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.....Born in Grand Forks in 1947, Lynn was a major country star in the early 70's.

Harold Schafer - The founder of the Gold Seal company, makers of Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath! He was also instrumental in turning the tiny town of Medora into a major toursist attraction and he is the father of former North Dakota governor Ed Schafer, the current nominee for Secretary of Agriculture.

Charlie Korsmo - Child actor who starred as "Kid" in Dick Tracy, now all grown up with a degree in physics from MIT and has a Juris Doctorate degree from Yale Law School. He's currently working at a NYC law firm.

Peggy Lee - Born in Jamestown, she is famous for singing "Fever" and one of my faves - "The Siamese Cat Song" from Lady and the Tramp.

Darin Erstad - Another Jamestown native, Darin played major league baseball for the Angels from 1996-2006. He is currently a free-agent.

Josh Duhamel - Can you say yummy??? This hunk is from Minot and if memory serves, my brother's wife's brother was in the same graduating class..... So I kinda sorta know him, ya know? Las Vegas, Transformers, Fergie - this guy is good.....and he is part-owner of a restaurant in Minot that I can't afford to eat at.

Jonny Lang - aka "Kid" Jonny Lang....at least that's what he was before he left the state....But I guess when you release your first album at the age of 13, we can call you Kid! Born in Fargo, in 1981, this blues guitar player rocks!!

And of course, everybody's favorite --- Cooth --- but you already knew that!!

Traveler IQ Challenge

2007-12-26T14:16:00.000-06:00

This game is completely addictive! I gotta go study ---- I can't get past level 6.

Nippertails

2007-12-26T10:12:00.001-06:00

I made this hat for my neice - the turtle necks at the top are for putting her pony tails through! Can't wait to see it on her!

You can find the pattern for it here.

And now - I'm working on a pair of matching mittens! This is my first attempt at mittens - so far, so good.....

Must Be Damn Good Pie!

2007-12-26T08:19:00.001-06:00

Taken at Hardee's in Jamestown, ND

12/25/2007

Kung Pao Christmas

2007-12-23T19:45:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!?!?! Already? How did that happen? I'll be working til noon, then taking off to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my parents. I'm the only one of the 4 offspring that will be there. Nice quiet time.

On Christmas day I will be visiting Tb in Jamestown for the last time. He has a 4 hour pass, so we will be going out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant. (Thank the Lord they are godless heathens and remaining open for the day) Then we will probably try to see a movie. Don't know what's playing there, but lucky for me, I have access to the Jamestown newspaper so will check that out tomorrow morning.

Lately it seems to get harder and harder to get into the Christmas spirit. About 4 years ago, our artificial tree just looked way too sad to bother putting it back in the box, so we threw it out and planned on buying a new one the next year. Or maybe even getting a real tree for a couple of years. Well, that didn't happen - my Grandma died, so the only decorating I got done was to put up a 3' pre-lit tree and that was only done because my nephews were staying with me for a couple of days. Last year, I got the tree out, but could only find 2 of the three legs it needed to stand up. This year, just never even bothered.

Then I saw it. A purple tinsel pre-lit tree. I found it last weekend at Menard's in Aberdeen. I loved it. I wanted it. But, decided against buying it. About 30 miles out of Aberdeen, I wanted to turn around and go back and get it. But didn't. So today, I went to our local Menard's and they had the tree!! But not only is it available in purple.....there is also a lime green, red, turquoise and a silver one!!! Now what do I do? Oh here's a great idea - buy the purple one AND the silver one. But wait - there's more!!! There was also a nice regular 6' green tree with clear lights, oh and since the tinsel trees are 3' tall, I need some smaller ornaments to go on them, let's throw in some of them too.....So $64.50 later, I have 3 Christmas trees and new ornaments.....The trees are still in the car....I probably should go get them before I go to bed.
And store them til next year....

Merry Christmas to you all!!

Christmas Music

2007-12-21T08:38:00.000-06:00

I love Christmas music. I could listen to it year round. But I don't. Well, occassionally one will sneak in on my Yahoo radio station.....but that's okay. But during the holiday season, I have a "Mood" of Christmas songs. Heard one yesterday that was great. "The Dreydl Song" by Another Man Down. So of course, I had to "Google" it to see if I could find a link so my friends could hear it and in the process found a great website! It's called Song a Day. Since Thanksgiving, E (the author) has been posting Christmas songs and one was the song I was in search of. It will probably take me days to get through this site, but I'm pretty sure it will be worth it! Here are links to the Christmas songs that I'm really digging:

The Dreydl Song - Another Man Down
Elf's Lament - Barenaked Ladies
Bjallerklang - ABBA (Jingle Bells in Swedish)

Check them out! They're fun!

Bragging

2007-12-20T20:58:00.000-06:00

On the official website of the state of North Dakota, there is a section of postcards. I submitted a couple of my frosty photos and they are now on there! On my way to fame and fortune.....

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2007-12-19T13:24:00.002-06:00

It's my birthday! So far it's been a pretty good one. Last night the stitch and bitch group met at my favorite watering hole instead of the library. I got some ho-made fudge, some yarn, some ho-made cherry/raspberry conserve and a dishcloth. Today I got a card from Tug that made me cry, a verbal greeting from my Donny that made me swoon, a card from a co-worker that had me in stitches and now, I get to go to a staff meeting. Woo-hoo!

Leave your gifts in the comments section please!!

Winter Wonderland

2007-12-18T14:59:00.001-06:00

Saturday and Sunday morning we had fog. And when it lifted we had this!

I took these pictures just north of Edgeley, North Dakota. Poor old abandoned farmhouse!!

If you like these, I do have a few more on my flickr page. The link is in my sidebar!

Family Day

2007-12-18T14:40:00.001-06:00

Sunrise photo taken on the way to Jamestown

Last Thursday, I drove to rehab for family day with Tb. It went well. I think. We still have some major communication issues, but we are working on them. He's just so stubborn...don't know where he gets that....I wonder if some of what he says is what he really thinks, or is just saying it to see what he can get away with.

After family day, I drove another hour so I could spend the weekend with my parents. It's all good! Two days off of work, Mom's cooking, Mom made a birthday cake for me, I beat Mom at Scrabble (3 times!!), I got the ends worked into a bunch of dishclothes, I started and completely finished a hat, and started one more hat.

Yummy carrot cake!! Thanks Mom!!

It was really nice having a birthday cake made by Mom, it's been awhile since I had one of those. Except.....since she was making this one, she thought she should also make one for Dad to take to work for "the girls". Okay, sounds like a great plan, right? No. The birthday girl ended up peeling and grating 4 pounds of carrots. My hands were orange! Slave driver!! But- all kidding aside---it was so worth it. The cake is absolutely dee-lish!! I'd peel and grate all day for another one!

Hat-a-palooza

2007-12-12T11:22:00.000-06:00

Finished another one....

I think Dad gets this one.

Help!

2007-12-11T10:25:00.000-06:00

I have an office plant. I don't know what it is. Do you??? It keeps telling me to feed it, so I do. That's okay, right?

Happy Birthday to My Donny!

2007-12-09T07:21:00.000-06:00

Today Donny Osmond turns the big 5-0! Happy Birthday sexy grandpa!!

It's also the anniversary of the best first kiss ever!! *sigh*

I'm a Total Slug

2007-12-08T06:22:00.000-06:00

When I decided to switch schools and have 3 months of no classes, I really figured I'd do more blogging. But no. I've been really enjoying being a slug. I've been knitting alot. I've been cleaning. I've been watching too much tv. I've been sleeping. I'm enjoying being a boring hermit.

Tb is doing well. He has reached a "Level 4" in his treatment and is now allowed to leave the premises for 2 hour passes. Last Saturday, I drove down there in a snowstorm so we could go to lunch at Applebee's. It was fun. It was normal. I'm going down again tomorrow, Grandma and Grandpa are meeting us at Grizzly's for lunch. Next Thursday, I go down for "family day". Yeah - confrontations - my fave! NOT!! But we still have some things to patch up so we can maybe someday get trust back in our relationship. He is scheduled to be released to a transitional center right after New Year's.

I am all signed up for classes next semester. I'm taking Accounting - in person. I'm taking Intercultural Communications - on line. And I'm taking Management and Leadership - this one is a hybrid - online and in person. I'm looking forward to returning to school.

My attempt at getting back to the Y has not been going well. The latest issue - my foot. I've had bad feet for years - started out with plantar fasciitis, then I tore a ligament, and now, for some unknown reason, my right foot hurts. So went to the doc on Tuesday and they wrapped it, told me to get new shoes and come back in 2 weeks. I think my orthotics need adjusting, but what do I know.

My knitting friends and I have started up a regular Tuesday night "Stitch and Bitch". The public library has a quaint little coffee shop in it and we take it over on Tuesdays. It's been really fun getting together and knitting. And kvetching. But, in a couple weeks we will be moving from the coffee shop for one night only - to a bar - a smoke-free one, of course. To celebrate my birthday! Margaritas go better with birthdays!! And then Christmas and New Year's fall on a Tuesday - so no library then! I'm thinking about having a get-together on New Year's day - seems like a good way to start out the year - good friends and yarn!

It's cold today - last time I checked it was 9 below. Brr. Supposed to warm up some next week - hope so!! Had to move Tb's car to prevent it from being towed, so it is in my garage. My car wants to get back in there!! Yesterday, tried to get his started and moved. No go! We'll try again next week.

I'm hungry - gonna see if my co-worker wants anything from McDonalds - if she doesn't I'm going to go get some pop tarts from the vending machine. How nutritious!!

Redecorating

2007-12-02T20:58:00.000-06:00

As much as I love this quilt my mother made for me, it's time for a change - I can't stand to look at the pastels anymore!!

So after a trip to TJ Maxx and K-Mart - I have a new look in the boudoir.

Dinner for One

2007-11-22T17:07:00.000-06:00

Just because I'm all alone on Thanksgiving, doesn't mean I can't have a good dinner.....and turkey sandwiches all week!

The Dating Game

2007-11-17T16:02:00.000-06:00

According to "Best Week Ever" on VH-1, blogs are for people with no social skills.

About a month ago, I re-posted my profile on a dating site. Here are the pathetic results of that decision. I got winks from 2 guys and an e-mail from another. Wink #1 was from a guy who liked my profile, but he would like me to post more photos. He had no photos on his. I don't think he should be asking for more until he gives up at least one.

Wink #2 was from a guy who lists his marital status as "seperated". Ummmm, that's what Tb's father told me about his status. No thanks.

And the brave soul who actually e-mailed. He is a 35 year-old who is looking forward to settling down and starting a family. Sorry, my baby factory is closed. I still like to run the equipment now and then, but we ain't producin' nothin!! No way, no how. So, like the passive/aggressive soul that I am, I ignored it. But then, he sends me another e-mail. This time he gives me his name, his e-mail address and invites me to take dancing lessons with him. Still not interested in a 35 year old who wants to make babies....but....I decide to at least be polite and write back. Okay, it wasn't all just to be polite. Turns out this guy works in the building next door so I thought that maybe he had seen me at some point and really wanted to meet me. Or maybe I almost ran over him in the parking lot we share and he was out for revenge. So anyway, I wanted to at least appear nice.

Well, in the e-mail, I told him that I wasn't interested in dancing - I'm not coordinated and he would need steel-toed boots. Thanks for the offer, take care, have a nice life. Guess what!?! he has steel toed boots!!! And isn't going to go away. He really wants to meet me. So, I agree to meet him. He has a photo, he looks normal, has a decent job - what's the harm? You can't have too many friends, right?

So we decide to meet after work at the Starbucks in our local bookstore. We met at 5:00. By 5:38, I am on my way home. ONLY 5:38? AND, I stopped at the hardware store before I checked the time. (Didn't want him following me home) It seems sooooooooo much later. This guy had the personality of a chair. No, I think I've had more interesting conversations with chairs.

Later that evening I check my e-mail. By 6:05 he had e-mailed me a thank you with an invitation to date him again. I thought and thought and thought some more about how to respond nicely to his request and the best thing I could come up with was "I'd rather have dental work without novacaine." I never responded. Thumper's mom is the wisest of all.

So anyway, the profile is still out there. I'm not holding my breath. Good thing I have an abundance of yarn and cable tv.

Latest Project

2007-11-16T13:26:00.001-06:00

This my latest knitting adventure. I'm finally learning how to cable and have picked the best yarn ever. It is so pretty and soooooo soft and silky! I've had to do some frogging on it. I had one big mistake on a cable - this picture was taken right before I undid a few rows. Got that fixed, knitted about 7 more inches, noticed I had screwed up the edging on one side and had to rip out about 3 inches. Ugh. It's just too great of a yarn to have any imperfections in the knitting! Another thing about this scarf - I've got $30.00 worth of yarn that's going to make about a 4 foot scarf. A scarf that doesn't match a thing I own, so I'm also going to have to buy a new coat to go with it. Oh well - I really should get a black coat, something on the dressy side.

More Snow!!

2007-11-08T08:48:00.001-06:00

It snowed again! But it will melt again. The forecast today is calling for 50 degrees. Even warmer on Saturday! Yeah!!

Happy Birthday to my Dad --- He is 72 years old today!!

Knit Wit

2007-11-07T12:24:00.001-06:00

Good News! I finished this hat! I'm giving to my mom for Christmas. She'll like it. It's warm and 100% wool. Bad News!! The store I like to buy the warm 100% wool is going out of business.

Good News!! The going out of business sale started today....I got MORE warm 100% wool in all these pretty colors.

Bad News!! Only saved 13% on the original cost. I'll have to go back in a week or so and see if anything is left.

Good News!! I also got yarn in the mail today - so I can make more dish clothes!! I wonder how many I can get out of a pound of yarn???

Bad News!! I'm stressing trying to figure out what to start on next!!!!!

Apparently, I have Allergies

2007-11-06T09:20:00.000-06:00

Last September - that is September of 2006 - I felt like I had something caught in my throat. In October I had a gyno appointment and although that isn't his regular hole to check out, he took a look-see but saw nothing. After that I made an appointment with my GP. Five weeks later, when I went to see the doctor, it still felt like there was something caught in my throat. He couldn't see anything either. So he put me on Nasonex - which made no difference at all and I HATED snorting it. So I have just learned to live with something caught in my throat. In my "research", I learned that because the throat has so many nerve endings in it, even the smallest think can feel huge. (They should put all those in the vagina - not the throat - but I digress)

So over the past year this throat thing changes from time to time. Sometimes it feels like something is stuck and sometimes it feels like the whole thing is swelling shut. A few weeks ago a friend of mine had the "whole thing is swelling shut" thing happen to him. Well, since he and I swap spit occassionally, I thought we maybe have some kind of fungus or virus or bacterial crap. He went to the doctor. His doctor did a whole upper GI series of tests - nothing wrong. Told him to try Claritin. He did. It worked. So I did. It worked.

Yesterday, I forgot to take my Claritin. Today, my nose is running like a sieve. Apparently, I have allergies. I have taken my Claritin today.

I'm a Schmuck

2007-11-06T09:03:00.001-06:00

Public apology to Scarlet Virago - she has a great blog and when I was alphabetizing my list of great blogs, I missed putting her in there. Go read her! She is great!!!!

UGH!!

2007-11-05T08:18:00.001-06:00

Guess what!?! It's snowing here today. Not much, but it's our first snow of the season!

My Mediocrity is Frightening

2007-10-31T10:02:00.000-05:00

So says the internet. Well, at least this Encarta Halloween Myths Quiz thinks that.

I got 6 out of 10 correct. How did you do?

Halloween Fun

2007-10-30T13:31:00.000-05:00

Since I'm too busy to blog today.....I'll share this game with you in the spirit of Halloween.

Halloween Hangman

It's harder than I thought it would be!! And the skeleton is mean.

Here I Go Again...

2007-10-26T09:53:00.000-05:00

I'm off traveling again this weekend. Going to visit my parents. And we will have extras there this weekend too! My brother has something going on in Fargo, so he is going to drop off my favorite niece (I can say that - the other one isn't here yet) on his way. So we get to have CJ all day Saturday - should be fun! I finished her hat and can't wait to give it to her!

When I was up in Minot a couple weeks ago, while we were getting ready for bed on Friday night I got out the tape measure, measured her head and told her I was going to make her a hat. When we got up Saturday morning, she asked, "Where's my hat?" Hope the two weeks she had to wait were worth it! lol!

In other news....

I've completed and submitted my admission papers for Dickinson State. I meet with my advisor next week to get registered for classes in January. It's nice having the time off from school and studying, but I kind of miss it! Looking forward to getting back to school.

Tb is doing good - the powers that be are working on his parole and probation guidelines. He wants to move home instead of going to a halfway house. I would rather see him at home than in one of those places. But there will have to be rules and the rules will have to be followed. I'm going to make him come up with the rules this time. (Pending my approval) One thing the officer I spoke with suggested was that he have a curfew - at least for awhile. I'm okay with that. He would have one if he were in a halfway house, so this shouldn't be an issue. But I'm sure it will be for him. Of course, give the choice between coming home at a reasonable hour or going to jail, I'd come home.

Tuesday night we held another stich-n-bitch. The library here has a cute little coffee shop in it so we thought we would check it out. Tuesday's are buy 1 get 1 free day! I'm not a coffee drinker, but had some great hot chocolate and we tried a couple different kinds of gelato. We have decided to make this a weekly venture. Yeah!

So as long as I was at the library, I paid my fine. $10.90. WTF? Can't remember what I had out that I like so much I kept it for an extra 109 days....but whatever....my contribution to funding the library. I'm such a philanthropist. As long as the fine was paid, I decided to check out a book on cd for the trip this weekend. I got Velocity by Dean Koontz. Looking forward to listening to that.

Last night about 10 to 9 there was a knock on my door. It was my neighbor from downstairs. They were having a birthday party and had extra cake. I love her. She was offering it as a peace offering - she thinks her kids are loud. I have never heard them. Not once. But, if it will get me cake, I may start complaining.

Look at that Sky!

2007-10-25T11:21:00.000-05:00

Just came in from a nice walk around the capitol grounds....could that sky be any bluer??? It's just beautiful out today!

Fall Foliage - #7

2007-10-25T10:23:00.001-05:00

What a beautiful day we had yesterday! This was taken at 4:30 pm - 67 degrees - it's almost November! Today is supposed to get up to 70! Then tomorrow it will be 47 and rainy.....Regular North Dakota fall weather.

Had My Brain Scanned

2007-10-23T12:21:00.000-05:00

I was pretty sure that was what was up there.....

Let Me Entertain You

2007-10-19T08:52:00.001-05:00

....or at least tell you what's been entertaining me!

Before I drove up to Minot last weekend, I bought the new Maroon 5 cd, It Won't Be Soon Before Long. It is so good!! On a scale of 1-10, I'd give it a 16. Really, it's that good. I especially love the song "Won't Go Home Without You". Just for the record, Adam Levine can take me home anytime he wants.

I'm almost done with season two of Eureka, I'm really digging this show - Just two episodes left to watch on the DV-R (loving that thing too!) If you haven't seen this show - you should! Science, Romance, Drama, Comedy, Action....all in one spot!

Speaking of the DV-R - I am going to need a snow day! I have about 15 movies recorded - When will I get them all watched??? I'm going to Jamestown on Saturday - seeing Tb and my mom. Plus this is a work at the crap-job weekend. Planning on visiting my parents next weekend. Dad has been hunting, there is pheasant to eat at their house. Yum.

And since I can't figure out how to put a YouTube video on here....I'll just have to put a link to a new Jeep commercial that cracks me up!

Fall Foliage - Part Six

2007-10-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

Cold, windy, dreary day....

Time for a Meme

2007-10-18T13:51:00.000-05:00

Tug tagged nobody and I'm a big nobody and I haven't done one of these in oh-so-long - so here goes....

What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now? Suave Shea & Cocoa Butter Body Wash, Suave Coconut Body Wash, Suave Lavender Body Wash, Body Shop Shea Butter, and Dove. I like soap.
Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No, I have some watery lettuce though.
What would you change about your living room? New sofa. And maybe doing some dusting.
Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Clean - I hate unloading it.
What is in your fridge? Milk, butter, eggs, 12 pack of caffeine-free diet Coke, watery lettuce, apples, pickles, catsup, salad dressing, leftover tuna hotdish, leftover stuffed cabbage, some wine coolers, 4 cans of beer, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce......I cook - there’s other stuff too, but I’m bored already with this question.
White or wheat bread? White if I bake it, Wheat if I buy it. And at over $3.00 a loaf, I don't buy much.
What is on top of your refrigerator? Cookie jar, planter with writing utensils, margarita mix, bottle of vodka and an oil burner.
What color or design is on your shower curtain? HOT pink!
How many plants are in your home? Five
Is your bed made right now? Is my mother coming? No? Then it’s not.
Comet or Soft Scrub? Yes.
Is your closet organized? Sorta - it’s messy, but I know where things are....
Can you describe your flashlight? Silver with black trim. It’s behind the fridge. Anybody wanna come help me get it?
Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Plastic
Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? I hate iced tea, why would I make it?If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Not really. It does need a good cleaning though.
Curtains or blinds? Curtains - I hate dusting blinds.
How many pillows do you sleep with? Two - one for my head and one to snuggle with.
Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No - there is a light right outside my bedroom window - makes for a nice nightlight.
How often do you vacuum? This is supposed to be on a schedule? Hmmm....when I spill something or company is coming.
Standard toothbrush or electric? Both
What color is your toothbrush? Electric is white, the other one is purple
Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? I live in an apartment, there is no front porch dammit.
What is in your oven right now? A cast iron frying pan
Is there anything under your bed? The leaf for the dining room table and probably a sock or two. And a nice family of dust bunnies.
Chore you hate doing the most? Unloading the dishwasher
What retro items are in your home? Is there a difference between retro and antique?
Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? No.
How many mirrors are in your home? 5
Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Does the cookie jar I throw my change into count?
What color are your walls? BORING white
Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? A baseball bat
What does your home smell like right now? Probably the garbage I forgot to haul this morning - errr, I mean Body Shop Exotic Oil.
Favorite candle scent? Apple cinnamon
What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Clausen’s Sandwich Slices - yum!
What color is your favorite Bible? Black
Ever been on your roof? No
Do you own a stereo? No
How many TVs do you have? 2
How many house phones? Zero
Do you have a housekeeper? Only when my mother visits...she loves to clean! I just put her to work and call her "Cinderelly".
What style do you decorate in? Style? WTF does that mean? I’m happy if anything matches.
Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Yes.
Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes - and it even works!
In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? My purse.

Long Time No Blogging

2007-10-17T13:58:00.000-05:00

I've been busy!

Hostfest was lots of fun. My sister-in-law scored some free tickets, so we went on Friday night and had to go through pretty fast, so didn't see much entertainment - we saw a few minutes of Bjoro Haaland, a Norwegian with a beautiful voice; listened to two songs by the Ringling Five, a group of 8 or 9 cowboys from Montana who crack me up; caught a bit of Williams and Ree and got to hear their catchy ditty - "He Died with His Ding Dong in His Hand"; and caught the opening number of The Oak Ridge Boys. If you haven't heard of them - google 'em yourself. I ate Norwegian food - SIL had German food - but she is a full-blood German. I did take some pictures - wish I would have gotten more - I will next time!

Saturday spent the day with Brother JJ, SIL and the world's cutest 4 year old, my neice CJ. We went shopping and over to visit my uncle - had a nice surprise there - my cousin and her husband from Dallas were there, hadn't seen them for long time! We bought some pumpkins and went out to dinner.

Sunday we just hung out at home - I left about 11:30 - but didn't get out of town until I had walked around the Scandinavian Heritage Park and of course, took more pictures. I also stopped in Washburn and took a few more, but haven't created a set specifically for them just yet.

Have I mentioned that I love Flickr?

All-in-all - it was the best weekend I've had in a long, long, long time!!

In other news - hmmm, there is no other news. Work - good; Tb - good; Knitting - super good - doing lots and lots of it!!

My New Man

2007-10-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

Well, he ain't much to look at, but he's always got wood.

I'm Off!

2007-10-12T09:09:00.000-05:00

I'm off to Hostfest - be back in a few days. Unless, like this lucky lady, I meet the troll of dreams and we run off to live under a nice bridge somewhere.....

Sugar and Cream

2007-10-11T14:37:00.001-05:00

Sugar and Cream yarn now comes in a "self-striping" variety. Had to try it! It's not as stripey as I thought it would be, but I like it anyway!

I've just been on a tear making dishclothes lately. I think I've finished 5 of them in the last 3 weeks. Oh well, they make nice Christmas gifts!

Kmart Takes Returns - Right?

2007-10-11T13:57:00.000-05:00

Your Halloween Costume Should Be

Elvis

What Should You Be For Halloween?

I should have taken this test last week - I bought a witch costume. I'd make a great Elvis!

Thankyou, thankyouverymuch!!

Fall Foliage - Part V

2007-10-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

Okay - for five weeks now I've gone and taken a pic here. For the full set check this out.

Good thing it is still beeeee - ewe - tee - ful weather - I hope to keep this up for awhile, I'm having fun with it - but not sure I'll want to stand up on the hill with 30 below wind chills! brr.

Rainy Days and Mondays

2007-10-08T09:31:00.000-05:00

It's not raining, but it is Monday and I am down.

Wish I had someone to talk to.

Watch Out - It's Catchy

2007-10-07T07:55:00.000-05:00

I'm at the crap-job. Yesterday, Mr. H. called in sick. Today, he gave us his explanation.

Mr. H is a strange little fellow. If you looked in the dictionary under "in-bred hillbilly redneck" you would find his picture. I think he is also listed under "moronic imbecile".

Anyway, last weekend one of the other slaves here wasn't feeling all that well, but she came to work anyway.

Today Mr. H came to work and explained his absence yesterday. He had caught what slave girl had. Without missing a beat, slave girl replied "I wasn't sick, I had my period."

Priceless.

Books by the Pound - 2007

2007-10-04T13:59:00.000-05:00

Twice a year our local library sells books. By the pound. You pay $1.00/lb for paperbacks and $0.50/lb for hardcovers.

Look what I got for $9.00!

I may have to throw an Esquire party.

More Fall Foliage

2007-10-04T08:10:00.001-05:00

Looks like the trees in the front are almost bare. Wish I was better at getting the "same" shot each time, but they are all in the general vicinity!! If you want to see all 4 together, go here.
This pic definitely has the prettiest sky of the set.

Small Town Livin'

2007-10-02T17:48:00.000-05:00

Okay, so one of my things to change about me is to start dating again. Or at least attempt it. So today, just for shits and giggles, I reactivated my profile on a dating site. I saw a guy that might be interesting and checked out his profile. I'm waiting for a current photo to be approved, so I didn't initiate any contact....yet.

After work tonight, I went and got an oil change then stopped to get some groceries. When I go to check out, who is there in line right in front of me? Martin - yep - you guessed right - he's the guy whose profile I checked out. Now, Bismarck has a population of about 55,000 people. What are the odds that on the very day I "check this guy out", he's in front of me in line at the grocery store? And it's not even the store I normally go to!

So anyway....there were no sparks there in the line, but I do have to ask this question - When short men measure how tall there are, do they use a different size ruler than other people? I am 5'7 1/2" tall - he has 5'6" in his profile. I KNOW I was at least 4 inches taller than he was. Maybe more. And why can't I get over this aversion to short men?

I'll keep looking. Probably.

White Cloud

2007-10-02T14:05:00.000-05:00

Sunday while I was out playing with my camera, I made a stop at Frontier Village in Jamestown which is home to the National Buffalo Museum and a very rare albino buffalo named White Cloud. On August 31st, she beat the odds and gave birth to a white calf. Her 4 previous calves have been brown. I was hoping to get a glimpse of them while I was there, and I did.

If you click on the photo, it should enlarge and you can get a "closer" view of these rare animals.

You can also read more about them here. If you are feeling especially creative, there is a contest there you can enter to name the baby.

New Yarn!!

2007-10-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

Q: What is 45% Silk, 45% Kid Mohair, 10% Lamb's wool and sets you back $30?

A: This yarn

Now that I know how to cable - I have to have some yarn to make a new scarf!! Right? Wish you could feel it!

Road Trip!

2007-10-01T13:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I travelled to Jamestown to visit Tb. He is doing well, it was really good to see him in his own clothes and in a more relaxed atmosphere.

I had some fun with my camera on the way home....hope to get the really good ones uploaded to flickr sometime real soon.....

World's Largest Buffalo

A sunflower ready for harvest

The World's Largest Sandhill Crane

More Fall Foliage

2007-09-28T14:43:00.000-05:00

This pic was taken from kinda the same spot as the last two...kinda.

If you want to see all three together, just click on my flick thingamabob over there ---->

I have them all in a set.

I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing!

2007-09-28T14:23:00.001-05:00

Yummy! Taco Potato from Space Aliens! Washed down with the Bahama Mama down below!

a'Stitchin' and a'Bitchin' and Stuff

2007-09-27T14:20:00.000-05:00

Last night one of my peeps had the girls over for dinner and knitting. We had a great time. I got 8 more rows done on my scarf. (That's a total of 96 whole stitches) But, I was also trying a new pattern for a dishcloth that I screwed up and ended up frogging. Kt had about 18 inches of scarf that she screwed up, so I frogged that. Then I tried another new dishcloth pattern, but I was too busy bitchin' to concentrate on it, so did about 4 rows on that and frogged some more.

But my big accomplishment for the night was having the more daring and proficient knitters show me how to cable. Now, I know how and can make a cable scarf! Yeah!!

After the shindig, I went home and worked on a hat I have started 3 times now....this time it seems to be working. Whew!

In other news.....I actually went to water aerobics yesterday. I'm going again tomorrow. It felt good to be back in the pool.

I love the DVR. I've already recorded a bunch of movies from Starz. I will never run out of things to watch. Probably never. Maybe.

New shows I've watched: Life - it was okay, will probably get better after we get to know the characters. The Reaper - Liked it - but it is a Kevin Smith creation and I'm a Kevin Smith groupie. Back to You - caught the first episode and liked it, forgot to record it last night. The Big Bang Theory - I liked it, critics hate it. I've watched about 1/2 of Chuck, haven't decided if I care enough to finish watching. And I have Dirty Sexy Money recorded - Peter Krause is cute, does it matter if it's good? Tonight is Survivor - I always watch that.... And I'll probably watch ER, guess it's the last season.

I Need a New Shirt

2007-09-26T13:02:00.000-05:00

I wonder if I got this shirt, if I could get a little more"action"?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20841428/

I'm Tired

2007-09-22T09:36:00.000-05:00

My bro called last night at 7:30. He was in the Minneapolis airport. Flying into Bismarck about midnightish and wanted to crash on my couch. No problem. I removed the knitting and clean laundry no one had bothered to put away and grabbed some bedding. I had to work at 5:30 this morning at the crap-job, so normally would have been in bed by 10. Got to bed about 1. I hope I can nap today. I really suck at napping and don't know why. I used to be really good at it. Oh well, it was nice to see my bro for a couple minutes anyway. I'll get to actually talk to him in 3 weeks when I go visit him because it's HOSTFEST time!!

Updates, Upgrades and Down Grades

2007-09-21T08:43:00.000-05:00

My Friday night standing date with Tb has been cancelled. But that's okay - because he was moved to treatment. About 100 miles from here. He didn't know about visitation schedule yet, so this weekend, he has no visit from Mom. He can have his own clothes though, so yesterday I boxed up some of them (including some new socks) and UPS'ed them to him. I have next weekend off from the crap job, so I'm hoping I can drive down there on Saturday.

I upgraded my cable yesterday. Our local cable company is running a promotion that I just had to have! Right now, I have broadband internet and basic cable with them and I pay about $80.00 per month. Starting Monday and for the next 6 months, I will have broadband internet, basic cable, digital cable, Starz & Encore, and DVR - for about $80.00 per month!!!! Way excited about the DVR!!!!! Now I won't have to take October 2nd off to watch the Eureka marathon on Sci-fi! Of the extra 45 stations I'll be getting, I'm really only excited about BBC America, Independent Film Channel, Sundance, and Fit TV. And the STarz and Encore channels of course. After the 6 month trial, to keep the extra channels and DVR, my bill will go up to $105.00, so if I like it and want to keep it, I will probably cancel my Netflix.

Although final grades haven't been posted, my GPA has plummeted from a 3.98 to 3.93. Good thing I'm changing schools and taking 3 months off. I need it to get over the shock.

Fall Foliage Watch

2007-09-20T08:23:00.000-05:00

Last week (9/12)

This week (9/19)

Happy TLAP Day!

2007-09-19T08:25:00.000-05:00

Well shiver me timbers, it's already Talk Like a Pirate Day! Wow, it just seems to come quicker every year.

Ya Landlubbers! Ya scurvy cur who ortin' t' be keel hauled!

Breaking It Down

2007-09-18T11:39:00.000-05:00

I got a bit wordy with the last post (who me?) so as per Pink's pleasure, here is some clarification.

EATING RIGHT
I will be following the Weight Watcher's Core Plan. WW's is a great program, I've done it more times than I care to mention, but it works every time I do it. If I just do it. It never fails me, I fail it. I will be working dilegently to follow the 8 healthy guidelines and eat according to the Core Food list.

EXERCISE
I am a big ball of mush. I used to be an exercise fanatic. A large exercise fanatic, but I was at the gym 5 or 6 days a week. I'm starting out by doing some walking (have done that 3 times in the last week) and tomorrow, so help me gods, I will be at the Y in the pool at 5:35 am. On the few nice days we have left before we are attacked by cold Canadian air, I will get outside and walk. So far, today is not looking like a good day to do this. Hopefully after work it will have warmed up some.

MY COMFORT ZONE
This one will need a post all by itself. But just for the record, this will be the hardest one of all.

MORE FUN, LESS BOREDOM
I spend alot of my time being bored. No more. Whenever I think that...I WILL FIND SOMETHING TO DO! If I'm bored of what I'm working on at work and it isn't a deadline issue, guess what, there are always other things that can be done. If I'm home and zoning out in front of the television and whining because there is nothing on, I have books to read, a garage to clean, a spare room and a closet with enough crap to go through I could stay busy for a month. Go walking, call a friend....something. Quit sitting on my ass waiting for my life to happen. I'm gonna make it happen.

DATING
We'll talk about that one later too, because it will take some getting out of the comfort zone before this can happen.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes Revisted

2007-09-17T15:19:00.000-05:00

Pink asks what I want to change about my life, so let's talk about it!

About 13 months ago, I posted about wanting to make some changes in my life. Guess what? Not much has changed since then.

A few weeks ago, I had a major "duh" moment. I realized at the ripe old age of 46 that I CAN be the person I want to be. But I am the only one that can do it and there is no reason why I can't be doing it right now!!!!!!!

So, now that school is done for 14 weeks. I am on a mission. Yesterday I started - albeit a bit slowly....but I started.

(And now, I get sidetracked.......

I did alot of knitting this weekend. But I was pooped. Last week was horrendous - Since last Sunday I composed a speech and prepared a power point to go with it. I wrote a 10 page paper on The Bank of North Dakota. I prepared a 7 page paper on stress in the workplace and prepared a power point to go with it. I worked 37 hours at the real job and 11 hours at the crap-job. Spent a couple hours visiting Tb. Kt and I spent Saturday together.We went to the street fair, went to Hobby Lobby, the liquor store and the grocery store. Then we sat on The Deck, grilled some dinner and watched a movie.

Yesterday, I didn't do much. I got up about 7 and read the paper. Ate some breakfast and then tidied up the bathroom. Watched the season finales of Monk & Psych that I had taped. Watched my new guilty pleasure, The Pick-up Artist (I know, really lame), watched Notes on a Scandal and The OH in Ohio. All the while I was glued to the tv, I was knitting and finished two dishrags this weekend! Squeezed some lunch in there along the way. Tried to take a nap. Got my dirty clothes sorted but not washed. Made some dinner, cleaned out the fridge, unloaded and re-loaded the dishwasher. Dinner was a chicken breast, some boiled potatoes, and green beans. Had to eat it on my good china, because I had no clean dishes. But I liked eating on the good china, it was a treat. Watched BB8 (snore), Cold Case and went to bed. The 4400 season finale had to be taped because of #%*$ football games running long. But that's okay, I'll watch it this week (and knit more) because I don't have to go ANYWHERE this week.

......sorry 'bout that)

Okay, that probably should have been it's very own post, but it's too late now....so back to the original purpose of this rambling...

Here's the changes I'm making:

Eating right
Exercising
Stepping outside of my comfort zone
Getting some of the clutter removed from my life
More fun, less boredom
And even though I don't look like a supermodel, somehow, someway, I am going to start dating again. This will be a humongus step outside of the comfort zone.

As far as the crap-job....once again, we are about to have a new manager and hopefully things will be getting better. But I do have to say, that since I now only work every other weekend (for the most part), it isn't quite as stressful. And, I like the extra money...I won't lie.

Missouri River

2007-09-13T08:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to Chief Looking's Village and since it was such a beautiful day, I took some pictures. I'll share a few: This is the Grant Marsh Bridge aka Interstate 94. You can also see the Lewis and Clark Riverboat.
Looks so peaceful....

Railroad bridge.

Starting to see some yellow in the trees!
You can also see the stacks from the refinery in the background.

A yucca plant. These always remind me of my mom - she just loves them.

Milkweed

pretty weed

another pretty weed

The Only State-owned Bank

2007-09-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

Another fun fact about North Dakota....we have the only State-owned bank in the country. And I have spent the better part of my free time since Sunday, writing a paper on it. I really, really put this off....uff da! But it's not due until 5:30 tonight and I finished it on my lunch break today, just in the nick of time! It wasn't the most exciting paper I've ever done, but I did learn a bit more about North Dakota history than I knew before. I had a couple of really good sources, but I think my favorite one was this website.

Now....I just have to get a presentation done for tomorrow night's class (who needs sleep?) and then I am kissing Aakers College GOOD-BYE!

The Reduced Shakespeare Company

2007-09-09T06:46:00.000-05:00

I wish I was a movie reviewer so I could convey to you how good this movie is. Well, I should say this play that was filmed and put on dvd. I have never read Shakespeare, nor have I studied his works. I enjoyed Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, but that is about the extent of my knowledge. I cringe when Shakespeare is a category on Jeopardy! and get excited when I can answer any of the questions. Or should that be question the answers? Whatever.. Anyhoo - this movie is great. I laughed so hard I cried....

Just for Fun

2007-09-07T14:38:00.001-05:00

Bismarck's the Place to Be

2007-09-07T08:24:00.003-05:00

This weekend is a big weekend in Bismarck, not only will this guy be here...

http://www.unitedtribespowwow.com/kahurangi.asp

...but, it's also the biggest garage sale weekend of the year.

The United Tribes International Pow Wow is a huge event that is held here every year. Quite the experience! I love the Women's Jingle Dances. A girl I go to school with recently brought in her dress and the dress she is making for her daughter. They were just beautiful. It just amazes me how much there is to learn about the Indian culture and it's all so interesting - to me anyway!

(And here is a video clip of the Yellowface Singers from last year's Pow Wow)

I would love to get out there and at least see the Maori Dancers, but unfortunately, I have a speech and two papers that MUST GET DONE!! I may stop at a garage sale or two - not that I need anything....but sometimes it's fun to look.

More North Dakota Stuff

2007-09-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

Theodore Roosevelt said something like this: Had it not been for my time in North Dakota, I would never have been President.

(I googled the quote - can't find it, but I've heard it enough times to know that it is real. Really.)

So what other famous people have come from North Dakota? Well, here are a few......

Lawrence Welk - And a one, and a two....strap on your accordion and start the bubble machine! (The clarinet player on the Lawrence Welk show, Henry Cuesta, was a major inspiration in my life.) Lawrence Welk was born and raised in Strasburg. His home is now a museum dedicated to his life.
Roger Maris- 61 in '61. Born in Fargo, played for the New York Yankees. Buried in the same cemetary as Sanchez's uncle.
Eric Sevaried - Journalist and author. Born in Velva, smoked cigarettes on the air at CBS.
Louis L'Amour - Born in Jamestown, wrote over 100 books. I've read zero of them - don't like westerns.
Angie Dickinson - Yep, Sgt. Pepper Anderson was born and raised in Kulm. My parents live pretty close to Kulm, I think of Angie every time I drive by....
Phil Jackson - Born in Deer Lodge, Montana, but raised in Williston, North Dakota - coached the Chicago Bulls to SIX NBA championships! Dude!
Warren Christopher - One of our country's Secretaries of State was born in my home state. Scranton to be exact. I've been to Scranton....Right Tug?
Bobby Vee - Had it not been for Buddy Holly's death, Bobby may never have been famous. "Devil or Angel"? You decide. Another native of Fargo. Playing in Branson, MO most of this month!

This will definitely be continued....

Glee

2007-09-05T12:02:00.001-05:00

I just love this bus!! And if our public transportation system wasn't beyond fucked up, I'd ride the bus. Maybe I can buy this one when the public transportation system here fails because it is beyond fucked up. I'm sure it gets great gas mileage.

S.E.W.O.R.

2007-09-05T09:13:00.000-05:00

Next week is State Employee Recognition Week or SERW for short. It is sponsored by the Council of State Employees or COSE for short.

I have been harrassing our COSE representative to get the name changed to State Employee Week of Recognition, or SEWOR for short. SEWOR is much easier to say than SERW. She won't propose it to the council. Some rep, huh?

Five Days Off

2007-09-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

I took five whole days in a row off!! Should have been lots of fun. But, not so much. I'm still not feeling 100%. This cold thing has really kicked my ass. Had lots of stuff I wanted to get done, a few things that did get done, lots of sleeping, lots of tv, lots of communing with my recliner.

Things I got done:
Got Tb's clothes all washed. He thinks he will be moved to treatment in the next 2-3 weeks and he can have his street clothes. Think I'll leave the "partying" and Jim Morrison tees home.
Moved my bed, couch, chairs, etc and vaccuumed under them.
Threw out 2 dead houseplants.
Took some of the crap I despise off my walls. Now I need "new" stuff.
Made a lovely little pot roast in the crock pot. Just finished the leftovers for lunch. Yum.
Met with a rep from UND, she referred me to DSU. But she'll be waiting to sign me up for graduate school.
Finished a scarf I started over a year ago.
Frogged a bunch of projects I will never finish.
Made big plans for all my yarn.
Went to the Farmer's Market and got some corn, beets and onions. mmmm.
Moved the spare tv from Tb's room to my room. Not real sure why. I don't like watching tv in bed all that much. Oh well.

What I watched:
The final disc of Season One of Eureka. This is a great show. October 2nd, Sci-fi is having a marathon of Season Two. Think I'll need a day off.
Gray Matters. Cute. Ed----err, Tom, I mean Thomas Cavanaugh. Cute. I'm noticing a trend on Netflix.....They have an overall rating, and what they think I will rate it. On most movies, they think I will rate it lower than the overall rating. Except Gay and Lesbian movies, they think I will rate them higher. hmmmm.
Breach. Interesting, even though I knew how it ended.
Scoop. Pretty good. I gave it 3 stars. Hugh Jackman is always hot. Even when he may be a murderer. Is Scarlett Johansson our next Dianne Keaton?
Dead Like Me. Sci-fi had a marathon yesterday, in no particular order, but I enjoyed it.

Things I didn't get done:
List books for sale on Amazon
Clean the garage
Bake bread
Pay bills
Work on 2 papers that are due next week
Read
Blogging

Oh well....I'll get those things done eventually....

Random Photo of the Week

2007-08-29T09:23:00.001-05:00

You GOTTA check out my Random Photo of the Week this week!! A while back I wrote about how my speech teacher has a project - making pink scarves for women with cancer. So, I got my "crew" together and we've made some scarves. You just gotta see them!!

Here is a tease to my next scarf.....

Lunar Eclipse

2007-08-28T10:20:00.001-05:00

There was a lunar eclipse last night. Good thing I watch the news occassionally, or I would have never known!!

Photo stolen from http://www.kfyrtv.com/skyspyslideshow.asp?image=2283

Full moon - lunar eclipse - zoicks! What kind of weird things will be happening today????

And the Award Goes To......

2007-08-27T15:34:00.000-05:00

ME!!!

Thanks Pink! I think you rock too!! Pink was very generous and gave out 13 awards. But I went to each blog and they are all deemed worthy!! Take a look for yourself! She has very good taste.

USA's the Best

2007-08-27T11:14:00.001-05:00

The best television network, that is.....

Besides Big Brother 8 and The Young and the Restless, all of my must see tv right now is on USA.

I have seen just about every single episode of Monk and have loved every single one of them. Psych cracks me up. Burn Notice may be my favorite show ever - of course, Jeffrey Donavan may play a huge role in that decision - he's hot! Loved him in another USA series a few years ago - Touching Evil. The 4400 is freekin' awesome - can't get enough of that! And now, Mike Logan will be taking up residence at the network when new episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent move over to USA. And even though I didn't get all of The Starter Wife watched, I really liked what I did see and hope it comes out on DVD soon - or gets replayed.

The best thing about The Starter Wife? I learned that I really don't hate Debra Messing. I hated Grace. Good to know these things.

So, guess I can't cancel my cable. Well, that and then I couldn't watch the weather channel.

But when the new season starts, I'll have my one ABC show - Lost. And CBS has a new comedy that looks good - The Big Bang Theory. Is NBC still on the air? Oh yeah - Law & Order is still on. Good thing or I may have forgotten all about it.....

Saturday Night Live!

2007-08-25T21:16:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday night and I'm still alive!! I woke up Thursday with a sore throat and headache. Felt like crap, but went to work. I had to go get cough drops, so figured I may as well head to the office. After a couple cough drops and a handful of Advil, I felt human-like again, so thought I would stick it out. By 4, I was ready to drop over. E-mailed my teacher for Thursday's class, went home, put on my jammies and crashed. Spent Friday in my jammies sitting in the recliner. I couldn't lay down, cuz when I laid down, I would start wheezing. Fun times.

Today, I feel better. I can only visit Tb on Friday nights and Saturdays from 8:30 - 2:30, so about 11 today I hopped in the shower and got dressed. Got out there about noon. It was a nice day (thank goodness) so we sat outside at a picnic table. No sense sitting inside and letting my germs inflitrate the entire prison population. Only bad thing about sitting outside for 2 1/2 hours? My very Scandanvian skin is a tad bit on the burnt side.

After I got home, I took about a 20 minute nap, picked up an enormous number of bio-bombs, unloaded the dishwasher and actually made something to eat besides toast. It's great to be alive.

Poor North Dakota!!!

2007-08-23T11:59:00.000-05:00

Now that two of you have picked on my home, I gotta do a post about it!

My first post ever when I started blogging was about North Dakota. I like it here. But I don't know that I will live here forever. I'm pretty sure that if I ever finish school, I will have to leave so I can find a job that will pay me enough to re-pay my student loans and still eat. I like eating.

Here are some facts and figures about North Dakota. Our population is not 6, or 12. It is actually over 600,000. If you dig numbers like I do, check this out. My friend kT finds it fascinating how we all know each other, or we are related to someone that you know, or went to school with your brother-in-law's cousin.....and my brother's wife's brother was in the same class as Josh Duhamel.

It is cold here sometimes. But not always. We have a sub-humid continental climate. I hate humidity. And the change of seasons is wonderful.

Milk is our official state beverage, Square is our official dance, and English is our official language. If you are wandering around the Capitol building, you could quite possibly run into the Governor. And he will speak to you. He and I had a nice conversation about tennis shoes one day.....

We are the Peace Garden State. The International Peace Garden is a beautiful place to visit. You can get some awesome Canadian Carmels while you are there. And of course, there was this one time...at band camp.....

The Geographical Center of North America is near Rugby, North Dakota. Not quite the center of the universe, but close.

What would be on a postcard from North Dakota? Well here are some examples.

You can expect that this will be continued......

Postcard from Pink!!

2007-08-21T08:56:00.001-05:00

ROOOOAAAARRRR!!!!!

I got a postcard from Pink's adventure in Africa! How cool is that!! Thanks Pink!!!

I never go anywhere, but if anybody wants a postcard from North Dakota - just e-mail me. (address in profile) I'd be happy to send you one!!!

My Favorite Weight Watchers Recipe

2007-08-21T07:18:00.000-05:00

This is probably my favorite meal to make and eat....It's tasty....It's easy.....It's spice-a-li-cious! And I have leftovers of it for lunch today!! mmmmmmmm

I got this recipe off the Weight Watchers website a couple of years ago. I make it a couple of times a month, it's so good. Of course, I do put in more red pepper than the recipe calls for, sometimes, too much....but food is always better if it's so hot it makes you cry!

General Tso's Chicken

3/4 cup canned chicken broth, reduced-sodium

2 Tbsp cornstarch

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

1 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp peanut oil

2 medium scallion(s), chopped

2 medium garlic clove(s), minced

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or 1 dried chili pepper, minced

1 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast(s), cut into 2-inch pieces

2 cup cooked white rice, kept hot

In a medium bowl, whisk together broth, cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and ginger; set aside. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallions, garlic and pepper and cook 2 minutes. Add chicken and cook until browned all over, about 5 minutes. Add reserved sauce and simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Serve chicken and sauce over rice. Yields about 1 cup of chicken and sauce and 1/2 cup of rice per serving.

4 servings - 6 Weight Watcher Points per serving.

I do make a couple of modifications other than the spice - I like to add some vegies - my favorite is Bird's Eye frozen stir-fry vegies. But add whatever I have on hand. This batch was just mushrooms, peppers and onions.

Interview by Pink!

2007-08-14T11:25:00.000-05:00

1. What is your connection to Sweden?

Back in the late 19th Century, some people from Sweden moved to North Dakota. These lucky people are my great-grandparents. Three of my dad's grandparents came from Sweden, one from Norway. So his parents were raised with Scandanavian customs, values, temperments....and so was he.....and so was I.....

2. Are you as happy as your avatar or is that ironic?

For the most part, I am a very happy person. I do have my "bad" times, like everybody, but I really do try to remember that everything happens for a reason so I should make the best of it. Which, as I have matured (I need a sarcasm font!!), I have found a whole lot easier to do. So yes, I am as happy as my avatar.

3. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go and why?

Sweden for Midsummer Celebration. Why? Because I do a mean frog dance.

4. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given and who gave it to you?

To be perfectly honest, I don't know. I have always been fiercely independent and very stubborn. For many years of my life, if someone told me to do something....I did the opposite. I think people just quit trying to give me advice. I will say though that by doing all these things *wrong* I have learned many wonderful life lessons and I am more apt to think things through more now and usually end up with the right decision.

5. What is your secret vice?

Only one??? Kidding! I don't think any of my vices are secret - I'm not a good secret keeper. Could that be a vice??? My worst vice? Binge eating. I used to do it about once a week. Now, not so much. I think I have once this year and I didn't even enjoy it. But I still want to do it.

The Rules:
1. If you fancy being interviewed, leave me a comment saying "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.