Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Difference Between Male and Female
Tanya sent me this email earlier in the week and I found it to be hilarious! Click on the pictures to enlarge them. This an advertisement for a beer.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Day the Music Died
On February 3rd, 1959, 50 years ago today, an airplane crashed in a frozen field that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper after a teen dance/concert in Clear Lake, Iowa.
Last night at the same location, they held a concert to remember them. There were family members of the 3 that were in attendance as well as some musicians that played that same night 50 years ago with them.
I can't really understand the full impact of the deaths of these musicians as I was not alive when it happened but from what I've read and know, there are a lot of musicians who still say that those musicians have influenced their music, as well as there have been songs written and movies made about the musicians and being that there were people in attendance of the last night's concert from 32 different countries around the world, you can see what kind of impact it did have on the world.
Last night at the same location, they held a concert to remember them. There were family members of the 3 that were in attendance as well as some musicians that played that same night 50 years ago with them.
I can't really understand the full impact of the deaths of these musicians as I was not alive when it happened but from what I've read and know, there are a lot of musicians who still say that those musicians have influenced their music, as well as there have been songs written and movies made about the musicians and being that there were people in attendance of the last night's concert from 32 different countries around the world, you can see what kind of impact it did have on the world.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Weekend Recap-Superbowl Weekend
Friday:
I had the most horrible day at work and when I came home, I didn't want to do anything. I made some cinnamon coffee cake for my parents because it was their 33rd wedding anniversary and I don't know why I felt compelled to make it for them but I did while I was drinking an Appletini. Michael went out to the bar for his cousin's 50th birthday party and I drove over the cake to my parents and came home, heated up my leftover Chinese food from the night before, popped in a movie and relaxed. The older I get, the more I enjoy chick flicks. I watched The Women. Have you seen it? If you haven't, don't. It takes a lot for me not to enjoy a movie or to say I wasted my time watching it but that is 2 hours of my life I will never get back. I finished the night reading a book in bed before I went to sleep.
Saturday:
Lazy Day! I bummed around all day and didn't even leave the house despite our 45 degree heat wave until after the sun went down. I received a gift card to Mancini's from my parents so Michael and I went there to spend it. We had yummy steak and after the gift card was taken off, we only owed 41 cents. We came back to the house and I got into bed pretty much right away and started reading and then fell asleep.
Sunday:
I finally colored my hair. My roots were growing out and they practically look black. You know when it's time to color your hair when your Dad notices it. WEEKS ago, he asked if I had colored my hair dark. I had a headband on so all you can see is the really dark hair at my scalp. I knew I had to do it soon but it was just getting around to actually doing it. I hate coloring my hair but I guess I would rather do it myself and pay the $7 than to go have it done and really pay for it! I thought I would take a picture of my before and after of my roots. Not perfect, but better!
Before:
After:
I thought I would color my hair red to give the underdog Arizona Cardinals some mojo. We went over to Michael's brother Ray's house in North St. Paul to watch the game. We have a 51 inch TV at home and Ray's is a 47 inch but HD so we sacrifced a few inches for crisp picture. There were 10 of us there and it was a lot of fun. There was so much good food, including baked ziti, meatballs in plum sauce, smoked pheasant, pickle wraps, bacon wrapped sausage, chicken wings, pizza calzones, chips, cheese and crackers. I had pheasant for my first time and it was very good. I don't know if I would have enjoyed as much if it wasn't smoked. As for the game, that was fun too. At first it looked like it might be a blowout but those little Cardinals hung in there, took the lead and lost it in the last few minutes of the game. I'm not a fan of the Steelers but with the team having so many Minnesota ties, it was ok that they won. I'm glad Mike Tomlin got his big win and it makes me even more sad that we let him walk away as the Vikings defensive coordinator 2 years ago. And finally, I was a part of a Superbowl pool at work and at the end of the 1st half, the score was on my numbers so I ended up winning $150! Woot! Woot! We also put in some money at the party and neither Michael or myself won but I only lost $15. I brought my camera but I forgot to take pictures of anything except for one picture of the cat when I got there. His name is Shaggy but I always forget his name and call him Scooby by accident. Rooby Roo!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
(Bruce Springsteen's song, Fire) "I'm driving in my car, I turn on the radio"
It's February 1st today and that means that 16 years ago today, I got my driver's license. That also means that I have been driving for half of my life. You may be wondering why I got my license on February 1st when my birthday is January 21st. Hmmm.....let's see.....that's because I failed the first time. I did take my driver's test in January but not on my birthday, and I did fail. As I turned from one street to another, the instructor asked me to pull over. I pulled over and he asked me if I knew what I had just done. I said no and he said that I had turned onto a two way street from the one way that I was on as if it was a one way street. So basically, I turned into uncoming traffic. This was a driver's course and not real streets so there wasn't any cars around. He told me that was a violation that caused an automatic failure. I was so upset. I started crying so hard and the instructor felt SO BAD. He kept telling me that it was ok and not to cry and that I can take it again soon. I did take it again on February 1st and I passed, barely. I had a woman instructor who was not the friendliest and I got a 76. I think you need a 70 or 72 to pass. Either way, my driving record is pretty clean, I think. I have never been a bad car accident while I was driving. I had a minor fender bender where an Ford Excursion rear-ended me while I was at a stoplight so she obviously wasn't going that fast. That happened with my current car and it was somewhere between 2003-2004. I also just had someone hit my door almost a month ago while I was in a lane and my mirror was knocked off. That's it! No other accidents. I also have had 1 speeding ticket in my life. It was May of 2003 and I was on my way to Chicago and got pulled over in Wisconsin. Again, that's it! I think that's pretty good over the course of 16 years. I've also had 3 cars of my own over the course of 16 years. I drove my Mom's car, a Pontiac Grand Am when I first got my license and then I got my own car when I was 17, a 1987 Ford Escort. I was so happy to have my own car! That lasted a couple of years and then when I was 19, bought a brand new 1996 Geo Tracker. I had that for 6.5 years before I traded it in and in December of 2002, bought another brand new car, a 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R, which is still the same car I have today and I believe I will be in the market for a new car again within the next year.
New Banner
A new banner for February. I don't think I like it too much so I might be changing again. I've decided to do a new banner at least every month to correspond with that current month.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
The State of Today
I have heard a story every day since Wednesday that is Sad/Inhumane, Fantastic/Selfless, Disgusting and Incredible in that order. I encourage you to click the links for each story.
Wednesday: Sad/Inhumane
A 93 year old war veteran from Michigan dies a slow, painful death in his own home from hypothermia after the gas/electric company shut off his power and electricity after him not paying his bill and having a balance of $1100. His house was less than 32 degrees. His wife died several years earlier and he had no children. In MN, there is the cold weather rule where you cannot shut off someone's heat in the winter no matter how behind they are on the bill. Forget about the balance of $1100 for a minute. Where's the humanity?
Thursday: Fantastic/Selfless
A Lifetime Fitness employee from Ohio wins a company contest for tickets to go to the Superbowl. He decides to give the tickets to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and they grant a MN kid with leukemia the chance to go to the big game. This is what's right with us as humans!
Friday: Disgusting
A 14 year old girl from New Zealand is driving and pulled over for a DWI after being over 6 times the legal alcohol limit....oh, and she's 4 months pregnant. Where are her parents?
Saturday: Incredible
A baby is born in California with 12 fully functional fingers and 12 fully functional toes! It's called Polydactyly and it's rare. Watch the video!
25 Random Things About Me
If you are on Facebook, you've seen this posting. You don't have to follow the directions and do it yourself but I thought I would share my random things about me with you.
If you have some time, please do this! You may be surprised at how much fun it is to share random stuff about yourself and learn more about someone else. Go ahead! Be a little narcissistic!
Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people (give or take) to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. I would love to see your responses, that is why I tagged you...onto my random facts.
Instructions: Go to your profile page and choose Notes. Write a new note, publish it on your profile and tag your friends.
1. My nickname from my Dad is Spud and my nickname from my mom is Leigh-Leigh.
2. I have never broken a bone.
3. I consider myself a very emotional person. I cry very often at things that are sad, happy and funny. For as many tears as I have shed, I am surprised my tear ducts are not dry.
4. I saw space shuttle Atlantis launch from Cape Canaveral in person.
5. I write and eat with my left hand but when it comes to sports, I bat and play hockey and golf right handed.
6. I've seen hundreds of bands in concert spanning a 20 year period.
7. I have severe arachnophobia.
8. When I was 7 years old, my parents made a deal with me to never smoke cigarettes. If I didn't smoke up until age 21, my parents would give me $500. I collected that money on my 21st birthday.
9. I collected baseball (and some football) cards as a kid and again in my early 20's and still have thousands of different types of baseball cards.
10. I played softball from age 8-16. I played shortstop for my first year but was a 1st baseman for the rest of the time playing every single inning of every single game, even making a double play by myself once.
11. I once told my parents when I was 16 that I was sleeping over at friend's house when I actually took off with another friend and drove to Madison, WI to see a soccer team that had boys on it that we liked. I got grounded for that and it was the only time my parents stuck to the time frame of the grounding (2 weeks in the summer). Before that, they always let me off of being grounded early.
12. I moved out on my own into an apartment 10 days before I graduated from high school in June 1995. I moved back in with my parents in February 1996 and lived there until I moved out for good in December 2000.
13. I rarely watch TV. The only time I will turn on the TV during the week is to listen to the news when I get ready for work in the morning otherwise I will watch football on Sundays during the football season.
14. I am the first and only person to have graduated from college with a bachelor's degree on my Mom's side of the family.
15. I do not cook very often but strive to become a good one and to do it more often.
16. I had mono when I was around 19 or 20 and despite it being rare to get again, I got it again when I was 24.
17. I pierced my tongue when I was 19 and took it out when I was 24 because I had mono and couldn't stand how heavy it felt in my mouth.
18. My favorite ages in adult life so far have been age 23 and 30.
19. For as long as I can remember, I have never wanted to have kids. At age 32, my feelings have not changed.
20. I flew in an airplane for my first time when I was 21 years old. I was alone and I cried but a nice Texas businessman sitting next to me helped me through it all.
21. I do not consider myself to be a creative person whatsoever, even though I wish I was.
22. I once was kicked in the face on purpose with an ice skate.
23. I once had many aspirations for a successful business career when I was in my young 20's. I have changed and have decided that I do not want to be defined in life by my job. I want to make just enough money to pay the bills, save some and still be able to do the things in life I enjoy on an everyday basis. My life is more important than to spend it working more than I need to.
24. I have never been fond of my brown eyes and when I was younger WISHED for a different color. I still do wish for another color some days.
25. I do not think I could go a whole year without seeing Lake Superior and visiting the North Shore.
Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people (give or take) to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. I would love to see your responses, that is why I tagged you...onto my random facts.
Instructions: Go to your profile page and choose Notes. Write a new note, publish it on your profile and tag your friends.
1. My nickname from my Dad is Spud and my nickname from my mom is Leigh-Leigh.
2. I have never broken a bone.
3. I consider myself a very emotional person. I cry very often at things that are sad, happy and funny. For as many tears as I have shed, I am surprised my tear ducts are not dry.
4. I saw space shuttle Atlantis launch from Cape Canaveral in person.
5. I write and eat with my left hand but when it comes to sports, I bat and play hockey and golf right handed.
6. I've seen hundreds of bands in concert spanning a 20 year period.
7. I have severe arachnophobia.
8. When I was 7 years old, my parents made a deal with me to never smoke cigarettes. If I didn't smoke up until age 21, my parents would give me $500. I collected that money on my 21st birthday.
9. I collected baseball (and some football) cards as a kid and again in my early 20's and still have thousands of different types of baseball cards.
10. I played softball from age 8-16. I played shortstop for my first year but was a 1st baseman for the rest of the time playing every single inning of every single game, even making a double play by myself once.
11. I once told my parents when I was 16 that I was sleeping over at friend's house when I actually took off with another friend and drove to Madison, WI to see a soccer team that had boys on it that we liked. I got grounded for that and it was the only time my parents stuck to the time frame of the grounding (2 weeks in the summer). Before that, they always let me off of being grounded early.
12. I moved out on my own into an apartment 10 days before I graduated from high school in June 1995. I moved back in with my parents in February 1996 and lived there until I moved out for good in December 2000.
13. I rarely watch TV. The only time I will turn on the TV during the week is to listen to the news when I get ready for work in the morning otherwise I will watch football on Sundays during the football season.
14. I am the first and only person to have graduated from college with a bachelor's degree on my Mom's side of the family.
15. I do not cook very often but strive to become a good one and to do it more often.
16. I had mono when I was around 19 or 20 and despite it being rare to get again, I got it again when I was 24.
17. I pierced my tongue when I was 19 and took it out when I was 24 because I had mono and couldn't stand how heavy it felt in my mouth.
18. My favorite ages in adult life so far have been age 23 and 30.
19. For as long as I can remember, I have never wanted to have kids. At age 32, my feelings have not changed.
20. I flew in an airplane for my first time when I was 21 years old. I was alone and I cried but a nice Texas businessman sitting next to me helped me through it all.
21. I do not consider myself to be a creative person whatsoever, even though I wish I was.
22. I once was kicked in the face on purpose with an ice skate.
23. I once had many aspirations for a successful business career when I was in my young 20's. I have changed and have decided that I do not want to be defined in life by my job. I want to make just enough money to pay the bills, save some and still be able to do the things in life I enjoy on an everyday basis. My life is more important than to spend it working more than I need to.
24. I have never been fond of my brown eyes and when I was younger WISHED for a different color. I still do wish for another color some days.
25. I do not think I could go a whole year without seeing Lake Superior and visiting the North Shore.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thoughts for Thursday-Death Penalty
I am for the death penalty. I believe that if someone is going to take someone's life, you do not deserve to live. I do not believe in it for all cases but if the murder is premeditated, then the death penalty is warranted. If you can take someone's life so easily, then you should not have the priviledge to live anymore, whether or not that means sitting for a life sentence in jail or on death row for 20 years or even no jail at all.
I have no empathy for someone who takes human life on purpose. I totally believe in an eye for an eye. If you drowned someone in a bathtub, you should also be drowned in a bathtub. That's a whole other topic.
How do you feel about the death penalty? For or against it? Do you think that each state should have the right to adopt the death penalty? Would you rather see someone stay in jail for a life sentence? Do you feel there are any other options for someone who is guilty of murder other than jail or the death penalty? Do you feel that lethal injection is the "best" way to kill someone? What other methods would you purpose?
I will link other TFT as they get posted.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Dear Rush
Dear Rush Limbaugh,
You have opened your big fat mouth again. You stated that you want Obama to fail. To fail! What kind of message are you sending America? You have just said that you want America to fail. If Obama fails, the country fails and parts of the world fail. You then stated the next day that you were speaking of Obama's policies, not the person. You do not have to like him, as you obviously do not and I won't even pull the race card on you. Well maybe I should since you know have a track record of this. Remember Donovan McNabb and your comments about him being a black quarterback and how the media just wants him to do well because he's black? Of course you do! You resigned from ESPN's Sunday Countdown after your idiotic comments. Last week with your failure comments on inauguration day and today with your comments that Obama is scared of you because Obama said you can't listen to Rush Limbaugh if you want to get things done, which was a comment that was more of a larger point of bipartisan efforts. You are so arrogant for your comments and to think that he was really referring to only you. Al Franken had it right when he wrote a book entitled, Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot. You have a long history of offending people and saying inappropriate things. It's disgusting that you make millions by being arrogant and making making immature statements. Maybe it's not your fault for your comments. Maybe you're still addicted to the painkillers that you illegally obtained after years of being a hypocrite on your show stating that those convicted of drug crimes should be sent to jail. Maybe it was the painkillers talking.
Weekend Recap
Friday:
There is not much to report from this weekend. Michael and I were supposed to go to see a jazz band with our friends on Friday but Michael has been sick (again!) and couldn’t make it out so we ended up watching the rest of a movie we started earlier in the week.
Saturday:
Michael has been sick for WEEKS and we had his work holiday party at the Nicollet Island Inn later in the evening. We got up late morning and went to breakfast at Khoury’s in Inver Grove Heights. I had eggs benedict for my first time! It was good but the hollandaise sauce was very rich and buttery and it’s something I could not eat all the time, besides it’s fattening. All Michael’s energy was used on going out for breakfast. Michael stayed in bed for a good majority of the day sleeping and we didn’t go to his party. I ran some errands Saturday afternoon and we ended up watching My Best Friend’s Girl and The Departed.
Sunday:
Our FIRST football less Sunday since August!
I woke up early and Michael was starting to feel better. We went to breakfast at Gorman’s in Lake Elmo. We have heard from numerous people that they have good breakfast. You will probably see a trend throughout the winter that we go out to breakfast a lot more now that we don’t have football to watch. We will be going to more movies and bowling now too. That’s our Sunday activities in our off season. We went and saw The Wrestler after breakfast. This is the film that Mickey Rourke is nominated for best actor for the upcoming Academy Awards in March as well as Marissa Tomei for best supporting actress. I really enjoyed the movie but I can see where it wouldn’t be for everyone. We went home and I made muffins and cinnamon bread for someone’s birthday at work and then we watched The Express. This is another good movie. It’s about a young black kid named Ernie Davis back in 1949-1960’s. He becomes a college football player and realizes how much racism exists while playing games around the country and even with his own teammates and coach. I don’t want to give anything away in case you do want to see it, but you come to realize he has more to battle than racism. It’s more than a football movie and I do recommend this movie. I finished the night by getting into bed early and catching up on all my magazines I subscribe to. I had so much time to do stuff when football isn’t on. I look forward to footballess weekends just as much as I look forward to football season. 6 months on, 6 months off.
I hope you all had a nice weekend!
P.S. Thanks Mom and Dad for the wonderful dinner you made me on Thursday night! (And presents too!)
There is not much to report from this weekend. Michael and I were supposed to go to see a jazz band with our friends on Friday but Michael has been sick (again!) and couldn’t make it out so we ended up watching the rest of a movie we started earlier in the week.
Saturday:
Michael has been sick for WEEKS and we had his work holiday party at the Nicollet Island Inn later in the evening. We got up late morning and went to breakfast at Khoury’s in Inver Grove Heights. I had eggs benedict for my first time! It was good but the hollandaise sauce was very rich and buttery and it’s something I could not eat all the time, besides it’s fattening. All Michael’s energy was used on going out for breakfast. Michael stayed in bed for a good majority of the day sleeping and we didn’t go to his party. I ran some errands Saturday afternoon and we ended up watching My Best Friend’s Girl and The Departed.
Sunday:
Our FIRST football less Sunday since August!
I woke up early and Michael was starting to feel better. We went to breakfast at Gorman’s in Lake Elmo. We have heard from numerous people that they have good breakfast. You will probably see a trend throughout the winter that we go out to breakfast a lot more now that we don’t have football to watch. We will be going to more movies and bowling now too. That’s our Sunday activities in our off season. We went and saw The Wrestler after breakfast. This is the film that Mickey Rourke is nominated for best actor for the upcoming Academy Awards in March as well as Marissa Tomei for best supporting actress. I really enjoyed the movie but I can see where it wouldn’t be for everyone. We went home and I made muffins and cinnamon bread for someone’s birthday at work and then we watched The Express. This is another good movie. It’s about a young black kid named Ernie Davis back in 1949-1960’s. He becomes a college football player and realizes how much racism exists while playing games around the country and even with his own teammates and coach. I don’t want to give anything away in case you do want to see it, but you come to realize he has more to battle than racism. It’s more than a football movie and I do recommend this movie. I finished the night by getting into bed early and catching up on all my magazines I subscribe to. I had so much time to do stuff when football isn’t on. I look forward to footballess weekends just as much as I look forward to football season. 6 months on, 6 months off.
I hope you all had a nice weekend!
P.S. Thanks Mom and Dad for the wonderful dinner you made me on Thursday night! (And presents too!)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My Birthday
Ok, I know you guys are just dying to find out what I did for my birthday! My birthday was last Wednesday, January 21st and I went to work, like normal. What was not normal was the temperature. The third week of January is typically the coldest week of the year in MN but I was rewarded with 27 degrees! It doesn't normally snow that much around my birthday but in 1982, (5 years old) we had 17.1 inches of snow on January 20th, none on my birthday and an additional 17.2 inches of snow on January 22nd. Do any of you guys remember that? No one really could come to my party because of the snow. Another thing that was very common on my birthday when I was a kid was that I was sick. I spent MANY birthdays in bed sick when I was younger. You should see the pictures of me on my birthday when I was younger. I'm usually sitting at the kitchen table with my cake in my pajamas with bed head and lazy eyes because I just crawled out of bed to have some cake.
I had a small birthday celebration from my department that included brownies and cookies, a card and a gift certificate from Olive Garden. Around 1:30 pm, I was delivered a dozen multicolored roses and a card. (actually there were 13 for some reason) They were beautiful and from Michael. When I called to tell him thank you, he told me that he arranged to have them as the first delivery of day so he was not very happy when I got them in the afternoon. He wanted to set the tone of my day by having them early but nonetheless, it was perfect because I had no idea that they were supposed to be there. After work, I had a chiropractor appointment and then went home to open a card from Michael that had a homemade voucher/dollar looking thing for a computer desk. I have wanted a new computer desk for awhile so I get to pick out what I want and he'll get it for me. We then quickly got in Michael's car as he was taking me to Wildfire in Eden Prairie for dinner. I didn't even know where we were going for dinner until that day. I actually turned 32 years old at 6:40 pm while were were on our way to the restaurant. We both had never been to Wildfire before and it was was fabulous. I ordered the Signature Martini Flight, which included 4 mini martinis. They were so cute (and delicious) and I had to get a picture of them but it was only with my cell phone so I apologize for the quality of the picture. I started with Crab and Shrimp Bisque. Very good! My meal was filet medallions oscar, which consisted of 3 filet medallions with a lump of crab and asparagus on it with bearnaise sauce over it. I also had a double cheddar potato that was a twice baked potato andit was the biggest potato I have truly ever seen in my life. The server brought out a birthday dessert of a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream drizzled with carmel and hot fudge and cocoa. Everything was perfect! Thank you to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday in person, on my blog, Facebook, Myspace, email, e-cards, cards in the mail, texting, phone, etc. I feel very fortunate and loved!
My Martini Flight:
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
No more -, Just +
I’ve had some rough patches in life this year and I have decided that this week is the week where my bad luck and negativity ends and my road to positivity starts. Here’s why:
· I’m on my way to getting my neck and back fixed from Dr. Scott
· The side mirror for my car will be ready to be installed this week
· I got a bonus from work today---Not quite as big as they gave given in the past, but nonetheless it’s something
· OBAMA!
· It’s my birthday tomorrow
· I have a boyfriend that loves me so much
· My parents are making stroganoff for me on Thursday for a birthday dinner
· I’m going to see a jazz band on Friday
· I’m ALIVE!
{Picture me singing, doing the Charleston and having jazz hands} “Sunny days are here again…”
· I’m on my way to getting my neck and back fixed from Dr. Scott
· The side mirror for my car will be ready to be installed this week
· I got a bonus from work today---Not quite as big as they gave given in the past, but nonetheless it’s something
· OBAMA!
· It’s my birthday tomorrow
· I have a boyfriend that loves me so much
· My parents are making stroganoff for me on Thursday for a birthday dinner
· I’m going to see a jazz band on Friday
· I’m ALIVE!
{Picture me singing, doing the Charleston and having jazz hands} “Sunny days are here again…”
Random Schmandom
It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve blogged. I was doing so good for the new year. I didn’t do much this weekend. We went to Qdoba, which is like Chipotle to eat on Friday, went shopping with my sister all day Saturday but was a bad companion because I complained about how much my feet hurt. I don’t go shopping for no reason or purpose and that’s what we did so it was out of the norm for me. I watched a couple of movies this weekend and did lots of laundry and watched football on Sunday.
Because I have had neck and back pain quite frequently since the new year, I decided it was time to go to a chiropractor for the first time in my life. I had my first appointment yesterday after work and I was nervous. I went through a series of tests/exams to determine what is going on and then after being there for almost 2 hours, I had my first adjustment. I had no idea that your body can make such loud cracking sounds! He said I would be a little sore in the next 24 hours and to ice my neck and lower back throughout the night and do some stretches. I woke up this morning and I wouldn’t even say I am sore. I am not cured of my pain but it’s definitely better and I am on track to having a healthy neck and back again.
Hope all is well with everyone and I thought I would leave you with this newspaper clipping. I’ll be blogging more probably tonight and definitely throughout the week.
Because I have had neck and back pain quite frequently since the new year, I decided it was time to go to a chiropractor for the first time in my life. I had my first appointment yesterday after work and I was nervous. I went through a series of tests/exams to determine what is going on and then after being there for almost 2 hours, I had my first adjustment. I had no idea that your body can make such loud cracking sounds! He said I would be a little sore in the next 24 hours and to ice my neck and lower back throughout the night and do some stretches. I woke up this morning and I wouldn’t even say I am sore. I am not cured of my pain but it’s definitely better and I am on track to having a healthy neck and back again.
Hope all is well with everyone and I thought I would leave you with this newspaper clipping. I’ll be blogging more probably tonight and definitely throughout the week.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Happy Friday!
The week is over and the cold snap is too. My car did not start again today and Michael and I had to carpool to work, which made me late again and therefore I have insurance policies to review at home this weekend to make up for my time. We charged my battery all day today while we were at work but when we came home, it still wouldn't start. It's the weekend so I'll just deal with it tomorrow. My car has not been very reliable lately, but at least it doesn't look like this car! This is a car that was in my parking lot at work earlier this week. I HAD to take a picture because it was ridiclous. The car was full of trash and who knows what else. There was just enough room for the driver in their seat. I am guessing that this garbage has been in the car for quite some time. There is a chips wrapper that is right at the window and it was so faded from the sun!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Just you in case you didn't know, it's COLD!
I woke up this morning to Michael telling me that his car didn't start. No biggie, I would go into the garage and start my car and jump his car. Yeah, not exactly. My car didn't start either. I know it shouldn't have been my battery because I just got a new one last winter. After intervals of trying to start the cars all morning, Michael's brother Ray came over and helped us. He has a battery charger and after a short time, Michael's started but no luck with mine. My car turned over but the gas line was frozen. After many car no-no's of pumping the gas to get it started but trying to avoid it flooding, my car finally started. It was about noon and I still decided to make the 24 mile drive into work. Traffic wasn't bad at noon at least. It's been a rough week with the cold weather and traffic. There were 13 rollovers this morning in a period of 3 hours. We're on our 3rd day of sub-zero temperatures and tonight is going to be just as bad. Can't wait til the heat wave this weekend. It's going to be almost 30! That's a swing of temperature of 50 degrees of what we've been dealing with.
Just in case you don't live here and live somewhere warm, like Texas ;) , here's your proof.
The temperature this morning:
Here's what it felt like this morning with wind chill:
Did you hear me??? BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
Despite the cold weather, we all ventured out to Yarusso's for dinner tonight. We had the Falzone's, Seaberg's, Aliperto's, Germain's, Sterner's and a Sack all together on the East Side of St. Paul enjoying our Italian dinners. Here are two pictures our server took of us. If you like the game photo hunt, see if you can figure out who isn't in the 2nd picture. Hint: He's a little 5 year old redhead with glasses who doesn't like to be photographed unless it's under his terms.
Wasabi
I met my friend Catha out for drinks and dinner on Wednesday at Wasabi in downtown Minneapolis. We started out with some martini's, the Blushing Geisha for me and the White Tiger for Catha and some spicy tuna rolls. We spent a lot of time talking and catching up as it's been a few month since our last outing. I had so much fun with Catha. She is one of the best human beings I know. We then headed over to the other side of the restaurant for Teppanyaki also known as Hibachi. This was the 2nd time I had been to Wasabi and I just love it. I ordered the Habachi Filet Mignon. Here are a few pictures of the night and our chef, Jun.
Catha and I
Our chef, Jun
During the performance
The flaming onion volcano
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I'm sitting in my car
Deep Breath ….Exhale. Don’t sweat the small stuff. And what I mean by don’t sweat the small stuff is being in the car for 1 hour and 40 minutes today on my way to work. (If you haven’t picked up on the sarcasm, please note it is definitely there) The temperature was -17 degrees when I woke up and a wind chill of -33 degrees. Accidents everywhere with black ice to blame. And yet we choose to live here. (With much more sarcasm….) I can’t wait for the drive home!
Monday, January 12, 2009
I hope this year gets better
I can't say that I have had the best start to 2009. Last week someone hit my car door and knocked my side mirror off. Last Tuesday and still as of today, I have had major neck and back pain due to what I believe is a pinched nerve. It's been horrible trying to sleep and function throughout the day. I have never been to a chiropractor before and am admittedly nervous about going to one but after much consideration, decided to call Dr. Scott, the chiropractor that Michael goes to. I called today, hoping to get in today but I can't until Tuesday or Wednesday. I have plans on both days after work so that isn't going to happen. I just told them I would call them back. Just another thing I need to put off. I did, however, finally get an estimate for my side mirror on my car so I can get that fixed as soon as possible. It took me over an hour and twenty minutes to get to my appointment, which I was still 15 minutes late for due to the snow and traffic. I even left work at 2:50 pm to do this. But it's done now and 1 more thing I can cross of my list.
On Saturday, we had our Sterner family Christmas at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Forest Lake. We all couldn't get together on the actual Christmas Day so we had to schedule when all of us could be there. On the way there, I was turning around a corner and could not gain control of my car and ended up sliding right into the ditch on the opposite side of the street. I have never done anything like that before and I was totally upset and embarrassed. My aunt, uncle and cousins said that everyone has went into that ditch before and they see cars in it all the time. I guess that made me feel a little bit better. My uncle and cousin were not able to pull me out because even with my cousin's 4 wheel drive big truck, he couldn't get any traction. But a huge thanks to Dennis and John for trying to help me! We ended up calling AAA and all turned out fine. Christmas itself was nice. We don't exchange any presents so we just ate and enjoyed each other's company. My Dad's cousin, Kris, gave each of us girl cousins 2 cups and saucers of Bavarian China that used to be my Great Grandmother's. It's a neat thing to pass those things on from generation to generation.
I figured I might as well get some pictures of it for the blog while I was there.
Check out how big their Christmas tree is! (Compare it to the door in the background) It's real too!
I can now say that I own real china dishes
I went home and Michael and I went out to Dave & Buster's in Maple Grove for a surprise birthday party for Tanya. She was supposed to be there at 7 pm so we all sat at a table in the restaurant area waiting for her. She was surprised and had no idea. Most of their wedding party was invited so the girls could meet the guys. I even ended up running into my cousin Dan and his family there. We ended up going home around 10 pm and I was just exhausted and crashed shortly after I got home. I would post a picture of Tanya while being surprised but I think she wouldn't be the happiest with me if I did. You don't always look your best while being surprised.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Dinner and a movie, with a sprinkle of racism
Michael and I had a date night last night and went to Noodles & Company to eat. We always get the same thing whenever we go there. I get Mac 'N Cheese and a cucumber and tomato salad and Michael gets the Buttered Noodles with Parmesan Crusted Chicken. After eating we went to see the movie, Gran Torino. It just opened for wide release yesterday. It's directed by Clint Eastwood and he also stars in it. It's reported that this is his last starring role. There have been mixed reviews about this movie. It's about a racist Korean War veteran widow named Walt who is still living in his upkept house in the old neighborhood while everything else has slowly declined over time and minority groups have moved in. He does not embrace the change he has seen but seems to have no choice but to either defy or adapt to the situation, which he does both. The movie is focused primarily on the Hmong community. The movie was to be set in Minnesota but instead was shot in Michigan. One of the main characters, Thao, is a junior in high school from Robbinsdale, MN. You can read about him here. I enjoyed the movie, however there were times when the racism was over the top. You will endure many feelings while watching this movie and I do recommend it.
Watch the trailer: Gran Torino
Friday, January 9, 2009
Casper's Cherokee Sirloin Room
Michael, myself, Chris and Tanya all went to Casper’s Cherokee Sirloin Room in West St. Paul for dinner. Every Thursday, they have a birthday dinner. If you go to the restaurant on the week of your birthday, they give you a free steak dinner with the purchase of another entrée of $15.95 or greater. We had reservations for
Our overall experience was absolutely horrible. First, we had issues with a parking spot and a woman that looked like a man that didn’t know how to park. We had no confrontation with each other, except Michael to make a friendly comment to the passenger saying that he knew both cars could get into those parking spots. The passenger didn’t say anything. Once in the restaurant, the place was jam packed. The restaurant had been closed for the past 2 Thursdays due to Christmas and New Years Day so they has lots of birthday’s to catch up on. I approached the check-in area since the reservation was under my name. They needed to see Michael’s ID for proof of his birthday and he was behind me and made his way through the crowd to get up to me when the woman who had parked next to us said to Michael, “What, are you going to bud in front of me in the restaurant too?” as her breath reeked like cigarettes. Michael knew it was the woman who parked at the same time as us. Michael asked if she was serious and she said she was and that he needs to stop acting like an ass. WHAT?!? Chris then asked her if it was her birthday and she said no. He then asked if it was someone in her party’s birthday and she said yes. He then said to her, “Well, I hope your night gets better” and walked away. Michael said she wasn’t mad at only at him for the parking lot. She was mad yesterday and the day before and the day before. She is that type of person who is always mad.
We were seated pretty much right away but that was only after experiencing the two hostesses arguing with each other right in front of everyone. Once seated, our dinner order was not taken for 25 minutes. Our server had come around about 10 minutes after we arrived to take a drink order and to deliver bread. Once she came back, she asked us if we were ready to order. We were but told her that we didn’t have any silverware so she left the table to get silverware but taking our order. She didn’t come back and take our order for another 15 minutes or so. The server was not very friendly and did not smile once for the first half of our visit and appeared to be very stressed out due to the amount of people dining. I don’t care that it’s busy but she needs to put her fake smiley face on for each and every customer and not make us feel like we are inconveniencing her. Tanya and Michael both get the
We ran out of bread and butter and it took awhile for the server to refill. I only drank water and it took a long time for me to get my water refilled. So long I drank all of Michael’s water in the meantime. For some reason when you only drink water, they don’t think it’s important to refill as you didn’t actually order a drink and water must not count. Once there were some bigger groups of people that were leaving, our server started to remove herself from her crabby pants and actually cracked a smile. It took too long for the cake to arrive after we were all finished with our meals and it took even longer for her to deliver the bill as well as pick it up after we were waiting for change/receipt. Of course she got really nice at the end when it’s time to leave the tip. Our overall dining experience took 2.5 hours. The owner always walks around the dining room asking how everything is and I wanted so badly for him to stop at the table to ask because I would have given him my thoughts. I almost left my chair to find him at one point but I was so exhausted from everything that happened that it wasn’t worth it. My birthday is in 2 weeks and we would have gone back there for my birthday but now I have no desire to go there, nor to go there again. I am writing this because I want there to be public record of this dining experience. I wrote of my experience of a wonderful dinner in
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Thoughts for Thursday-The Economy
It’s a depressing subject but how has the nature of the economy affected you? The economy has been bad for quite some time and Obama says it’s going to get worse. Michael and I spend a lot of time and money on entertainment, whether that be going to see a sporting event, movie, concert or going out to dinner. Concerts will definitely be a cut back and going out to dinner also unless for special occasions. I know we will be spending more time at home watching our Netflix movies than going out. I am also trying to hold out from buying a car for as long as I can. I have had my car for 6 years and it’s been paid off for almost a year and I would love to get another year out of it, for the sake of no payments alone. I feel mostly secure at my job, even though the industry is becoming more unstable. (Commercial Real Estate) And when it comes to my 401K, I hate to even look at what I lost through this whole year. In my one 401K account, my “rate of return” was -45% for 2008. Aggressive vesting while still being relatively young hurts! Have you felt the effects? How? What are you doing to cut back, if at all? Do you feel you are safe in your job?
Other TFT posts:
Ang
Kristi
Helmey
Other TFT posts:
Ang
Kristi
Helmey
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2009- The Year of Consolidation
It's 2009 and while I have a few simple resolutions, this year will be the year of consolidation. I have acquired many things over the years and while I consider myself an organized person and not a pack rat, I just have too much stuff. I don't need 118 necklaces (yes, that's how many I really have), lots of earrings and bracelets, 3 closets full of clothes, too many shoes and purses and lip gloss/stick! I love make up and being a girly-girl but I have 70 tubes of lip gloss, lipstick, lip palettes or small purse sized lip gloss! I won't even talk about the eye make up I have, which I won't be getting rid of. I need to keep some things!
I have been slowly going through my stuff and getting rid of it. That means giving it all away. I don't want any money for anything. I have BAGS of clothes, shoes and purses ready to picked up by the Lupus Foundation. I will be giving other stuff to my sister who probably needs the stuff less than I do....she really is a pack rat!
One other thing I am going through is the greeting cards I have received from people over the years. I believe I have every type of card that was ever given to me for any and every occasion since I was 8 years old. You should see the plastic bin that I keep them all in. I am incredibly sentimental and I cannot throw a card away. But I think that now is the time. I will keep many of them but throw away more. Aauugghh! It's hard for me even to type that!
Do you guys keep stuff like me? Do you acquire things over and over again in excess? If so, what do you have? Do you guys keep or throw your greeting cards?
What's your new year's resolution(s)? Here are a few of my others:
- Stay Healthy. It's generic but that's how I want to keep it. It's about being healthy in all aspects of my life. That includes physical and mental health. One specific goal is to floss my teeth more to the point where my gums don't bleed anymore. :)
- Maintain my relationships with friends. Life can get the best of us and we become too busy to see each other. I don't see everyone as often as I would like but I know we are all trying our best to see each other. I'm happy I have multiple dates on the calendar with some of my friends already.
- Spend more time with my nephew. While I love seeing him, I don't always get to see him as much as I'd like. He's at the age now (5) where it's a little easier for a person who has never had a child of her own to be around him and be with him in public without incident. I have some plans for him and I (and probably Michael too) already.
- Be the best girlfriend I can to Michael. Michael and I get along great most of the time but there's always room for improvement for everyone. I am going to try to be the best I can in our relationship, even when it gets a little sour at times.
Happy New Year to you all. I wish you nothing but health and happiness for the year. If you have that, most other things fall into place.
Monday, January 5, 2009
We're Out
The Vikings are out of the playoffs after a loss to the Eagles yesterday. Not much to report more than that. I'm now rooting for a Giants/Ravens Superbowl. Here's what we looked like yesterday:
Before:
During:
After:
Saturday
Michael and I were headed out to Mancini's on Saturday night to celebrate his birthday. I was going south on Kellogg and in the turn lane to turn right onto 7th Street (right at the Xcel) when BAM! I looked at my door and the side mirror is hanging there. I get out of my car to see a Dodge Durango in the lane next to me. A woman steps out and I asked her what she was doing. She apologized and said she was getting out of her car and didn't know there was a lane there. Geez! My door appears to be fine except for scratch marks from where the mirror is hanging. Not a good way to start the night. We headed to Mancini's and had a wonderful steak dinner. I even made a cake for Michael's birthday...a football cake. Today is Michael's actual birthday and my honey is 35 years old!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year's Eve
For the last 4 years, Michael and I have enjoyed celebrating New Year's Eve together at home and alone. This year was at home but with 2 of our dear friends, Tanya and Chris. We made lots of party food and had plenty to drink for all. We wore our silly party hats and had fun ringing in the new year with each other. I hope you had fun and here's to the best 2009 you can imagine!
As the pictures obviously show, we were all feeling pretty good.
The boys and their tiara's
Cousin It was also at the party
My favorite Champagne!
Happy New Year!
Even Fuzzer celebrated
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Florida: Epilogue
I hope you have enjoyed my Florida trip series. It takes a long time to look through the pictures, writing it and putting it altogether. I appreciate your patience since it took me a month to finish it. In case you missed any of the chapters, you can click on each one for quick reference or you can go to the archives on the right column on the page.
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