Everything Nice

Ms research hope

2011-09-04T08:37:00.001-05:00

It's me, Dave, from www.ActiveMSers.org. I need your help.

As many of you know, as a last-ditch effort to slow the rapid progression of my multiple sclerosis, last year I received a bone marrow stem cell transplant as part of an NIH-sponsored clinical trial. To date, a year and a half post transplant, my improvements have been nothing short of breathtaking.

Despite intense interest, only 23 people were able to participate. Funding for the trial was cut from the NIH budget. And health insurance companies denied virtually every qualified applicant. My insurance company denied every portion of my treatment, even when presented with compelling evidence of its likely benefits.

For critical MS research to continue, the NIH needs more funding, the National MS Society needs more donations, and insurance companies need to support clinical trials. They need to support their patients in their time of greatest need. They need to do the right thing-the only thing-to give all of us with this disease hope that there will be a future free of MS.

So I'm taking action. Below is the direct link to ActiveMSers' new Spread MS Hope page. It includes the two videos I've done on the stem cell transplant (Hope, Part 1 and my just-released Hope, Part 2, featuring "The Wall"), a link to our new Spread MS Hope Facebook fan page, one of the baffling insurance denial letters, and my final, desperate appeal letter that ultimately fell on deaf ears (warning: it's scary).

http://www.activemsers.org/getinvolved/spreadmshope.html

Make a statement. "Like" Spread MS Hope on Facebook, tell your friends to join in, Tweet about it, blog about it, post about it, contact your representatives in Congress, call and e-mail your insurance company (heck, and mine). Help start a movement.

Donate. Speak out. Spread hope. Spread hope like fire.

My DADT Repeal Response

2010-12-20T11:15:00.000-06:00

Since first posting about the DADT repeal, I have talked to people on both sides of the “debate” and feel I have something to say. Now, I don’t want to get into an argument with anyone for or against DADT, but this is my post so I have the right to stand on it and use it as my soapbox in a way. If you don’t want to hear/read it then don’t. It’s very long and you don’t have to read it (that is your right). I am not a vocal person when it comes to politics. I’m a Democrat in a Republican state and family and know that you keep your mouth shut about certain things. So don’t think that just because of this one post I’m going to go all political on you. Just so many people have talked to/at me about this subject that I felt a response was in order. My posts for the rest of the year will more than likely be about my daughter and the holidays.
I was slightly surprised to hear the statistic that around 80% of the enlisted military was opposed to the DADT repeal. But even after hearing that statistic it was shown to me that the approval rating for women entering the military was even worse. Women have been in the military since it was around, but only in service positions (nurses, cooks, secretaries, etc). When women were finally allowed to serve in a combat capacity, over 95% of the enlisted soldiers did not agree with that decision. But in spite of that, women make up about 20% of the current military and are out fighting every day.
Now, I have to say this and don’t want anyone to think I’m less of an American for saying it, but I do not support the war. Having said that, just because I don’t support the war does not mean I don’t support the soldiers. The people who serve our country are very brave and amazing persons, and I admire them and will support them for their services. (They should not be treated the way the Westboro Baptist church treats them) I appreciate the fact that in today’s world we do not have the draft, and that our military is voluntary for I do not think I could bring myself to head into battle the way our current soldiers do. They are incredible and heroic people. The soldiers deserve all the “breaks” they get and more for service to our country and protecting our freedom.
That being said, I would hope the soldiers feel the same way about each other. When on the front line, I would hope they wouldn’t be worried about the idea that the guy next to him might be gay, but would see him as a soldier regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation: That the person next to him is just as brave for risking his life the same as you (the soldier) are. You may not agree with the life style this person has, but that does not mean you cannot support them as a fellow soldier.
I can see that in today’s world there is still a stigma against homosexuality, and I think I understand the roots for this animosity (and I am not going into “debate” right now for or against homosexuality, for that is not what is on trial, so to speak). But just as soldiers are taught with the gender issue to see a female soldier as a soldier and not as a woman, I believe they should view the homosexual soldier in the same way… as a soldier. They are brave for risking their lives, and should have the same rights and freedoms as any citizen. If they are willing and able to defend this country, its people, and its freedom a person can be purple with four legs and a tail for all I care. And when it comes down to it, I would hope that a soldier would feel the same way, and know that that person is there to be brave and serve their country. Much like my own views and the war, just because you don’t agree with what they stand for doesn’t mean you can’t/shouldn’t support them as a soldier.
I don’t want anyone to think I’m picking on them or anything like that (because this is for the people that I physically talked to as well). I’m just stating how I feel on my own post. I wouldn’t post this much on yours if I disagreed. But this is my forum and I am using it freely as my soapbox, and I have that freedom because men, women, handicap able persons, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Atheists, heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexuals, Caucasians, Asians, African-Americans, Native Americans, etc. have fought and bravely died for it. And just as Senator Wyden said, “if you love this country enough to risk your life for it, you shouldn’t have to hide who you are.”

Chris' Birthday

2010-09-27T11:21:00.005-05:00

For Chris' birthday this year we went down to Dallas (Frisco, actually) and purchased him the media center he's been wanting.

It's from Ikea and he's been looking at it for a while now. I figured we needed it now to cover up the cords to keep them away from Erin.
So Chris and I left Erin with her Gammy and Granpa on Chris' birthday and drove the whole 4 hours down. Then we walked around the Ikea for a few hours (due excersize after being in the car that long!). With some extra birthday money he had we were able to upgrade it a little and get a few extras we had been eyeing. We were even able to get a huge picture we had both been talking about since the last time we went (I was surprised they still had it!) to go in the living room.

We stayed the night and came back the next day. Chris had a meeting even though it was his day off, so he didn't get to jump in and work on it right away. But for the past couple of days he's been able to do little bits and pieces. Erin helps out ever so often, and I... well I just sit back and make sure neither of them poke their eye out.

I'm so excited to see what it looks like when it's done! He's off work today, with no forseable meetings (but I do have a dr. apt that he has to watch Erin during), so he should be able to finish it today... at least mostly. I'm so excited! I think I'm more excited than he is!

Excerpt from 42

2010-08-26T22:24:00.001-05:00

I found this excerpt and had to laugh... then share it with you. It's from "Extra Virgin Olive Girl"

THE TONYS
I was sitting, eating popcorn, on the couch when Ma came in and plopped down beside me. I was in the middle of watching the Tony Awards and suddenly realized I was not going to enjoy any more of it.
“Oooh! Is that Doogie Howzer?” Mom almost squealed with girlish glee when she recognized the host.
“Neil Patrick Harris? Yeah, he’s hosting it this year.”
“He was such a bright young doctor. Remember that time you saw him on Broadway? You should have married him.”
“You do realize he’s not really a doctor?”
“Of course I do. I’m just saying he’s smart enough, he could have been one.”
“What?”
“He was so smart, always spouting those big words and getting all those people better. I’m just saying not many actors can pull that off.”
“You realize half the actors in Hollywood have played doctors.” I didn’t want to have to explain the definition of acting to her.
“Yes, but George Clooney and John Stamos are too old for you.” Of course, in my mom’s mind there were only four actors in Hollywood: George Clooney, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, and Leonardo DeCaprio… sometimes there was Brad Pitt, but he didn’t really count in her mind since he’d become more of an activist. I should have known better and stopped the conversation right then.
“You do know Neil Patrick Harris is gay, right?” But Ma wouldn’t hear of this.
“Nonsense, doll, you say all these Broadway actors are gay.”
“That’s because they are!”
“Doll, if you don’t want to marry an actor, I understand. I mean they are prettier than you, but you don’t have to go around slandering them.” And at that, I just rolled my eyes and dropped the conversation. There was no winning this. I vowed that any further conversations that might follow that path would only be met with popcorn stuffed in my mouth.

COTM - Dad Life

2010-06-21T22:31:00.000-05:00

Love this video! A friend posted it for Father's Day, and I wanted to share it with all you guys out there. Enjoy!

New Site

2010-05-14T12:41:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I haven't been posting a lot of anything here for a few months. But I have a perfectly good excuse: Erin Elizabeth Rose Rich!
She was born February 10, 2010 by C-section and since then I haven't posted much of anything except when I can and it's all on her site. Let me invite you to join me on that site:
http://richnlife.blogspot.com/
because I'm not on this one all that much. I am doing well, but everything that is good in my little world revolves around her at this time. Enjoy her site and I'll be back on this one someday. I imagine as time goes by I'll have more time to be on the computer, enough for both sites. But there will probably be a huge time gap until then.
ta-ta for now.

Eagle Signs

2010-02-02T15:25:00.003-06:00

It sounds a bit weird, but today we saw a good omen... at least I think. Chris and I were on our way this morning to McDonalds to get some breakfast before going to the baby doctor for the "stress tests" and saw an eagle. Not just any eagle, a bald eagle! I didn't even know Oklahoma had them! I know they had eagles and such, but a bald eagle! It was just sitting there, on what we assumed was an animal carcas, and it turned and looked at us like "well, what?" With the snow around it was hard to tell what exactly it was sitting on, but it was beautiful and so amazing!

LBG's Baby Shower

2010-01-16T20:52:00.000-06:00

Busy Busy Busy

2009-12-29T22:47:00.002-06:00

Wow, it feels like I'm getting off a whirlwind and jumping onto another. Chris just finished his vacation time and is back at work, so I've been occupying my time "nesting." We've got most of the Christmas decore put away (mainly it's just the tree that's out).
The house was nice and clean before we left for Houston, but now it's a wreck again. So I'm working on that. Also I've been working on the nursery, which is good. Christmas came and went, along with the "Blizzard of 09"... we got a lot of snow, and it was just starting to go away when anothe rbout has come in... not as bad, but it's made the roads dangerous.
Anyway, I'm looking around at a mess, and trying to figure out where to start... and if I have enough time. With LBG due date so close (1 month folks!) I feel crammed again. We're going to the Cotton Bowl for New Years, and then the shower, and then she'll be here! Do I have time to finish the room? Absolutely shouldn't be a problem if I can get the house back in order... urgh... maybe that's where I start. I just feel so tired most of the time. I mean, it's all I can do to sit with the computer on my lap and reach for the water cup that seems so far away. The silliness of pregnancy. It's made it hard to get to bed, and harder still to avoide it sometimes.
I'm gonna make it, though... right?

White Christmas

2009-12-26T13:13:00.002-06:00

I had a very merry white Christmas here in Oklahoma.

Graduation

2009-12-14T08:40:00.001-06:00

Well, the OSU 2009 Fall commencement was this weekend... I think I actually graduated. I'm pretty sure I did all the paperwork and such to graduate, and was told I did... but that was so many months ago, I'm just not sure. I'll be a bit aprehensive until I get the actual diploma in my hands. It should arrive within 4-6 weeks... sounds like something else (LBG) that'll be arriving around that time. I kind of hope I get the diploma first.

Life Coming At Us Fast

2009-11-28T16:20:00.003-06:00

Wow... it doesn't seem like "just yesterday," but it doesn't seem like that long ago that I had a whole different perspective on life. Those views have changed since LBG has come into view. I mean, I've been pregnant for a while (yes, 7.5 months is a while when your 27) but it seems like just within these last few months that I've really really felt pregnant. I guess it's because I actually look pregnant and can feel her.
I can't wait till she comes, but I love the way I feel (when I'm not deadly tired... which is being so tired I become such a bitch everyone wishes they were dead), and the way she feels. There's a part that doesn't want that day to come, but I know deep inside it has to, and I can't just be pregnant forever. And that I'll love her even more when she's out. I'm excited, and aprehensive... and trying to find things to do. But I sort of just want to sit there and feel every kick while I still can... but sitting too long and not doing anything makes me tired. So, I'm blogging... before I take a nap.
And actually, that's all I've got. Thanks for tuning in.

Reasons Zombies Make Cool Parents

2009-10-31T12:32:00.003-05:00

Not my creation, but really fun. Just had to post. It's from the Zits comic strip this year for Halloween week.

Thinking Ahead, Gift-wise

2009-10-31T12:12:00.003-05:00

WARNING: CHRISTMAS SPOILER ALERT! Do not read if you don't want to know what you're getting! I just wanted to share this story (mainly with myself):
I was "talking" to one of my friends on facebook today, trying to figure out what to get people for Christmas. I know, I know... we still have Thanksgiving to get through and it is just now Halloween! But she has a huge family and is worried about finances, just like everyone else.
I have to say I was inspired last year. I took a family recipie for shortbread cookies and cooked them up for Thanksgiving. They went over so very well everyone was saying that that was what they wanted for Christmas. Well, I've had a year to think about it and am excited to get started cooking on those again. I've found some cute cookie cutters, and will be keeping an eye out for cute/unique Christmas tins. I love the shortbread because they're great with tea (and other hot drinks), not too sweet, a family tradition/favorite, and they stay for-ev-er (not literally, but it sure seems that way, which is nice because you don't have to eat them all in one sitting... or two... or...).
And when I started thinking about that and telling her about my idea for this year, past memories of Christmas came rushing back. As a child I never thought we were strapped for cash, and it's a feeling I want to pass on to my children. But I can remember such fun times making this amazing little decorations that we'd send out with our cards every year.
I think my favorite ones were the gingerbread men and women that were no bigger than a couple of inches tall. They weren't made for eating, because they were made out of some kind of clay instead of cooking ingreadients... except they smelled like gingerbread! We made those when we lived in Saudi and I remember my last high school year decorating the tree in Yale (many many years later) and still being able to smell them. I'm going to have to do something like that one year with LBG.
Another thing I remember us doing, and I'm not sure but I think this was a completely different year, was painting and decorating wooden gingerbread men and women as gifts. These were a bit bigger, and I'm pretty sure Mom decorated the ones we sent out. But us kids decorated a few for ourselves and we still have them in our Christmas boxes. They were 6-8 inches tall and we had to stain them first so that they were dark like the cookies.
Man! This gets me so excited! I can't wait to do those things with LBG! Next year will be fun. But I'll have to find something for us to do those first few years until she gets old enough to properly "play" with that kind of stuff (you know, not put it in her mouth).

On Airports by Lee Evans

2009-10-21T12:44:00.001-05:00

I loved this and just had to share it! I know you guys all travel and will just laugh and laugh.

Lee Evans pops out in my head from Mouse Trap, but when I was in London it turns out he was staying at the same apts! We actually saw him in the lobby a few times.

1 Year Anniversary

2009-10-19T20:03:00.004-05:00

Well, as a few of you know, yesterday was Chris and I's 1 year anniversary... at least here in Oklahoma.

It was good, a little better than the average day. But I think we both feel okay that we didn't do much, we both didn't really have all that much energy yesterday to go out and do something.

Chris got off work around 4pm. I was out exchanging jeans at the mall. When I came home and got him away from the Wii we went to Lowes and picked out a ceiling fan (an anniversary gift) for the living room. Then I made dinner. I was planning on having the house a little bit more picked up, but it was okay. He was happy I was making food.

We had ranch-style chicken, roasted herb/spice red potatoes, and green beans. We had a part of our cake top, but were stuffed by the time we got to it. There's still some in the fridge. We watched some TV and a movie we had. After that we headed to bed and played some music for baby belly and watched her dance around a little.

He had asked me about it a few days beforehand wondering what we wanted to do, but honestly I didn't know. I couldn't think of anything grande that didn't require money, so...

It doesn't sound all that grandly fabulous (we didn't go anywhere special or stuff like that) but I think it was a nice anniversary overall. We were both a bit tuckered out and it was good to just relax for a little while.

Lee Evans On Airports

2009-10-19T15:02:00.002-05:00

I loved this and just had to share it! I know you guys all travel and will just laugh and laugh.

Lee Evans pops out in my head from Mouse Trap, but when I was in London it turns out he was staying at the same apts! We actually saw him in the lobby a few times.

Tenacious D-Wonderboy

2009-10-17T14:33:00.001-05:00

Such a fun song! I've had it stuck in my head ever since we played it for little baby belly. Ahh... Wonderboy! You know, Tenacious D were actually a really good band. I mean the harmonies and melodies were right on. Was it just because their image that they were squashed, or the rise of JB's career, or just they didn't want to do it anymore, or was it the R-rating (almost X in some) for most of their music?
Anyway, this song has been stuck in my head for the past few days, so I thought I'd share it with you. They really are/were a great band.
Because they have it... how bout the power to move you! Take me far away from the mucky-muck...

Hell's Kitchen: Season 6: Episode 13 - Part 1/5

2009-10-08T11:47:00.001-05:00

I thought this was an awesome way for Gordon Ramsey to start the chefs' day! Such a cute little kid!!
This episode is a good one for this season.

and it's so true what they all said about vegitarians (sorry, veggies, but...).

New Computer

2009-09-16T19:33:00.002-05:00

Yeah! I've got a new laptop! I'm very excited. It's a Sony Vaio NW. Very nice. I'm so excited about it! I'm typing on it right now.

Jim N Nick's Gastronomically Delicious Cheese Biscuits!

2009-08-23T13:10:00.001-05:00

Jim N Nicks Cheese Biscuits Recipe! Check it out!

Shared via AddThis

Nice Days

2009-08-22T10:35:00.003-05:00

It's been so nice here in Oklahoma lately. Just when it starts getting too hot to handle, a storm comes thru and cools everything down. Today is another beautiful cloudless day where the girls can't decide if they want to spend it outside or in. Pixi prefers spending the hours staring at her reflextion in the back door glass while Tira wakes herself up barking at the slightest sounds.
Chris has been working hard, although this week he got a number of days off that left him feeling at a loss of what to do.
I, on the other hand, have been super busy, or at least busier than usual. I'm still working (1) McD's drive-thru, and their (2) reader board programs. Now I've been asked to do (3) general hiring for them. It's an awesome job. It's so nice meeting with the people and figuring out if they'd be a good fit with the company. Everyone has to fit into a certain guidelines before I even set up an interview, so the last part is just formal. But it's been a lot of fun. The new store has so many applicants. I finally got thru the first stack of applicants, and am now on to the next. Sadly this job will only last about a month, but that's good because I'm finding a lot of people for them, and I hope most work out. There's one or two that I'm sure won't last, but I'd love to be proven wrong on them.
Anyway, I'm super excited about the jobs, they're just leaving me a bit exhausted. I just have to pace myself, stop staying up till Chris comes home, and take naps. I just wasn't that smart about the whole thing this last week and got kind of ragged. But the weekend will refresh and all will be well next week.

Egg & Mooby Muffin

2009-07-01T12:13:00.003-05:00

So I tried an "Egg-A-Mooby Muffin" today... or the McDonald's equivilant. The equivilant is not the Egg McMuffin itself people suppose it is. It's something you can only get at crossover (when you can order both breakfast and lunch at the same time). You get a Sausage-Egg-and Cheese McMuffin and substitute a regular hamburger patty for the sausage.
It's not bad, a bit juicier than the average thing you'd want to put on a muffin. A bit salty, but overall pretty good.
I got the idea from watching Kevin Smith movies this last week, in Clerks II is set in Mooby, while Dogma mentions having one of those types of muffins. Guess it just put the idea in my head.

More Baby Info

2009-06-22T20:51:00.004-05:00

Okay, so the details: The doctor and I thought we were 8 weeks, but the computer says only 7 (that was last week). So we're two months along.
That put our due date right around the first week of February.
It's healthy and doing well. The heartbeat was good and strong.
We don't know if we want to know the sex or not. We won't get the choice of deciding to know or not for another month or so. There are good reasons behind each choice.

Emotionally: It's cool to not know until the doctor says: "Hey folks, it's a...!"
Logically: It makes sense to know when you can because then you can prepare for it. Get the right clothing, set ups, decorations, etc.

Chris is excited and happy that he can finally tell everyone.
I'm doing well. Morning sickness isn't bad (knock on wood). I'm slightly nauseous all day, more so at evening, but not vomiting or anything... just kind of "ugh". If I eat something (even when I don't want to see food) I'm good. Problem is eating something at all times can cause major weight gain, so I'm really trying to watch it. It really surprises me how calm it is compared to the horror stories I hear from everyone.

Thank you, all, for you well wishes! We appreciate it.

I'm Pregnant!

2009-06-21T23:23:00.004-05:00

The Results:
The Sonogram paperwork:

The Heartbeat (was good and healthy):

The baby!:

Much Ado About Nothing

2009-06-20T19:51:00.009-05:00

I love this play and am watching the beautiful movie version. So many great quotes. One that came out just a second ago was when John tells his friends that "it must not be denied that I must be a plain dealing villan." I love that Shakespeare just puts it out there forthright. There is no denying what Count John is from the first point.
I never realized it till now but Hero is... Kate Beckensale! Wow, she's so young in this. I watch it and have to laugh at Dr. Wilson from House. Almost playing the same character.
"The world must be peopled!" I love it when Benedict says that. He's so funny with his rants. "When I said I would die a batchelor, I did not think I would live till I was married." hehehe.
I think I enjoy this movie/play because there isn't a character I don't recognize in life... or characteristic.
Ah! I forgot about Michael Keaton's part! Gotta love it! "I should not see how sleeping should offend."

Neil Patrick Harris (NPH!) sings at the Tony Awards 2009 - Closing Number

2009-06-10T01:06:00.001-05:00

I was sitting, eating popcorn, on the couch when Ma came in and plopped down beside me. I was in the middle of watching the Tony Awards and suddenly realized I was not going to enjoy any more of it.
“Oooh! Is that Doogie Howzer?” Mom almost squealed with girlish glee when she recognized the host.
“Neil Patrick Harris? Yeah, he’s hosting it this year.”
“He was such a bright young doctor. Remember that time you saw him on Broadway? You should have married him.”
“You do realize he’s not really a doctor?”
“Of course I do. I’m just saying he’s smart enough, he could have been one.”
“What?”
“He was so smart, always spouting those big words and getting all those people better. I’m just saying not many actors can pull that off.”
“You realize half the actors in Hollywood have played doctors.” I didn’t want to have to explain the definition of acting to her.
“Yes, but George Clooney and John Stamos are too old for you.” Of course, in my mom’s mind there were only four actors in Hollywood: George Clooney, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, and Leonardo DeCaprio… sometimes there was Brad Pitt, but he didn’t really count in her mind since he’d become more of an activist. I should have known better and stopped the conversation right then.
“You do know Neil Patrick Harris is gay, right?” But Ma wouldn’t hear of this.
“Nonsense, doll, you say all these Broadway actors are gay.”
“That’s because they are!”
“Doll, if you don’t want to marry an actor, I understand. I mean they are prettier than you, but you don’t have to go around slandering them.” And at that, I just rolled my eyes and dropped the conversation. There was no winning this. I vowed that any further conversations that might follow that path would only be met with popcorn stuffed in my mouth.

- - excerpt from Italian Virgin Olive Girl by 42 - -

Update

2009-06-03T12:11:00.003-05:00

Okay, it's been a while since I've posted on this site. Life's been kind of full lately.

I've started a new class at TCC. It's my last class, General Biology. Looking forward to it.

Chris' Easy Ride

2009-05-29T23:52:00.000-05:00

Chris went for a ride at the local Harley Store

Throwin' Shoes ... No Horsing Around

2009-05-28T21:40:00.001-05:00

Memorial Day fun in the sun.

Flowergirl

2009-05-23T14:16:00.001-05:00

Dunno who it is, but so cute... listen to the song she's out on. **sniff sniff**

Ryan's Slideshow

2009-05-23T14:11:00.001-05:00

Ryan + Hailey's Wedding

2009-05-23T12:44:00.001-05:00

Beautiful just Beautiful

Sprite - Commercial

2009-05-23T01:16:00.001-05:00

As Josh Rich put it: "When did suicide bombers start making commercials?"

Funny Scrubs clip

2009-05-19T21:53:00.001-05:00

Ah, West Side Story... love it!

More Than A Feeling Scrubs Style

2009-05-09T00:36:00.001-05:00

I heard this song the other day on the radio and I just can't get it out of my head. The problem is that every time I hear it I think of this hilarious section from Scrubs.
It makes me smile every time... just thought I'd share it.

Take It Easy

2009-04-15T11:54:00.003-05:00

My dad used to sing this song, and I heard it on the radio today. Here's to you, Pop.

Well, I'm running down the road
Tryin' to loosen my load
Ive got seven women on
My mind,
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says shes a friend of mine
Take it easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
And take it easy
Well, I'm a standing on a corner
In Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
Its a girl, my lord, in a flatbed
Ford slowin' down to take a look at me.
Come on, baby, don't say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is
Gonna save me.
We may lose and we may win though
We will never be here again
So open up, I'm climbin' in,
So take it easy
Well I'm running down the road trying to loosen
My load, got a world of trouble on my mind
Lookin' for a lover who wont blow my
Cover, shes so hard to find
Take it easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own
Wheels make you crazy
Come on baby, don't say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is
Gonna save me, oh oh oh
Oh we got it easy
We oughta take it easy

A Cowboy's Guide to Life...

2009-04-14T12:13:00.002-05:00

also known as the Cowboy Ten Commandments

Don't squat with your spurs on.
Don’t interfere with something that ain’t bothering you none.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Telling a man to git and making him do it are two entirely different propositions.
When you give a personal lesson in meanness to a critter or to a person don’t be surprised if they learn their lesson.
If you’re riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still back there.
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.
If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’s dog around.
And never, ever, miss a good opportunity to shut up.

Guitar Hero Roadies

2009-04-12T21:41:00.001-05:00

Bunnies

2009-04-12T20:57:00.003-05:00

I've got a theory: it could be bunnies.

Bunnie aren't just cute like everybody supposes.
They got them hoppy legs and twitchy little noses.
And what's with all the carrots.
What do they need such good eyesight for anyways?

Bunnies! Bunnies! It must be bunnies!

Horseback Riding

2009-03-07T19:08:00.000-06:00

I've started horseback riding at my friends house. We've got it planned to have training every Saturday for a while. It'll be good physical therapy for MS.
It's a good thing. When I parked at her house, just walking up to the barn/arena my legs started to go tingly. But the riding didn't have that happen. I'm actually not sore at all. My knees hurt a bit when I first got off the horse, but by the time we got back down to the house, they were fine.
I'm really excited about this.

Kitchen Island: part deux

2009-02-23T16:51:00.002-06:00

Alright! The votes are in, we are going with the black one! I placed the order once the polls closed, and it was supposed to arrive Thursday, but they couldn't find our new address (understandable), so they're redelivering it (with very specific directions) on Tuesday. I'm really excited! We have to put it together, but that'll be fun.

First Class Honeymoon

2009-02-23T12:13:00.001-06:00

This is when Destiny and Heather came up with the idea to do a skit for Ryan and Hailey to reveal Patty and Tim's special honeymoon gift.

Kitchen Island

2009-02-15T14:05:00.002-06:00

Alright, so I've decided on an island, a kitchen island that is.
Check it out.
The only thing holding me back is deciding on the color. It's between the black or the red.
Vote on which one you think would be the best.

What if roadies ran the world?

2009-02-01T22:45:00.001-06:00

I loved this Super Bowl 43 commercial... because it's soo true. If roadies ruled the world, it'd be awesome! Enjoy!

Inauguration

2009-01-20T11:05:00.007-06:00

As I watched the inauguration, I realized how stressful it must be. Both the announcer and President Obama had problems talking.
The official announcer stuttered once on the word senator when one was entering.
Also, our new President had problems with the Oath of Office, but he smiled it off. It could have been that the man opposite him had cut him off earlier, and it threw him off.

I am excited for the new regime to proceed in this country. I wait patiently to see what comes before casting doubt or support on the new arrivals to the governmental offices. But I do wait to see if this is just due to the pop culture we live in where we've established politicians as pop icons; or if these icons will stand up to their growing job as role models.

Obama's speech was about responsibility, and hope was drawn upon darkly. At times he sounded like a father giving his child a life lesson. At other times he sounded like he was still running for candidacy, with promises that seem so far from reality, at least not all of them within the four years he has. On my News & Views blog page is a transcription of his inauguration speech.

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

2009-01-09T17:00:00.001-06:00

this is such a cool video... and for a great cause.

More Book Work

2009-01-09T16:53:00.001-06:00

The following website has some really cool book craft work:

http://www.cbbag.ca/AB03web/AB03ab.html

I think you'll like it.

Star Wars Backpacks

2009-01-09T16:36:00.004-06:00

You guys should check out these totally cute Star Wars backpacks! I would never wear one, but I thought you guys would get a kick out of them. Enjoy!

One for Yoda...

Another of R2-D2

They're viewable at http://www.spankystokes.com/2008/10/star-wars-r2-d2-backpack.html

Model Books

2009-01-09T16:30:00.001-06:00

You guys should check out this website:

http://1dak.com/art/models-made-out-of-books-44-photos/

It's got some really cool ideas. I'm thinking about doing something like that for bookends, out of some stable materials of course. :)

Feel the Joy

2009-01-06T23:09:00.000-06:00

Adapted from The Daily Motivator©
Saturday, January 3, 2009

Feel the joy

Can you feel the joy in life today? It is wherever you choose to let it be.
Do you see the joy in each new person you meet? Look for the joy that others may
be hiding, and make it your job to bring it out in the open.

There is joy to be found in every direction and in each new situation. No matter
how life may unfold it is always a privilege to experience and explore it.

Expect to find joy, and you will indeed find it. Choose to feel the joy, and you
will know it.

There's no need to spend time searching for joy in one place or another. Joy
exists anywhere and everywhere you allow it to be.

Make life rich and wonderful. Feel, spread and live the joy that is always yours
to choose.

~Ralph Marston

"I have learned to live each day as it comes and not to borrow trouble by
dreading tomorrow. It is the dark menace of the future that makes cowards of
us."
~Dorothy Day

House in Progress

2009-01-06T21:19:00.000-06:00

New, Brand New

2009-01-06T20:51:00.003-06:00

Yeah! It's a new year! Congratulations to everyone for for surviving 2008!

Well, in celebration of many things, I got my hair cut and colored today.

We closed on the house Friday, with a little "ado". But that's neither here nor there... okay, it's there, on my Job website.

Random Funny Pictures

2008-12-13T13:07:00.001-06:00

Owasso Home Tour '08

2008-12-12T21:17:00.000-06:00

Garrison Keillor: Ruth Harrison, Reference Librarian

2008-11-29T18:48:00.000-06:00

I heard this clip on NPR the other day and absolutely loved it! Allways a fan of Garrison Keillor. I just thought I'd share it with you!

Ruth Harrison, Reference Librarian
Saturday, November 29, 2008 Listen (MP3) Listen (RealAudio)
(THEME)
TR (ANNC): And now, from the hushed reading room of the Herndon County Library, it's Ruth Harrison, Reference Librarian.
(STAMPING) SS: I am so excited, Kent. Just ten more minutes and we close and I'm headed to Ohio. (STAMPS)
FN (TEEN): Gosh Miss Harrison. What's in Ohio?
SS: The best libraries in the United States, that's all. (STAMPS) Thank you, sir. Enjoy your book.
TR (BUSH): I will. Got one called "The Brush is Gone, and Now What?"
SS: Glad we could help. The door is over there.
(FOOTSTEPS, DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
FN (TEEN):Gosh, the best libraries in the country are in Ohio???
SS: The Columbus Metropolitan Library. The Cuyahoga County Library. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Names known to every librarian in America.
FN (TEEN): Gosh, neat. So what you going out there for, Miss Harrison?
SS: Inspiration, Kent. I want to spend an entire week simply loitering in libraries and pondering and perusing.
FN (TEEN):Gosh, that sounds like fun Miss Harrison.
SS: And when I return I want to build a new wing with soft couches where people can recline and read. Dim lighting and mysterious objects that people can touch--
FN (TEEN):That could be dangerous, Miss Harrison—
SS: People think of libraries as austere places. I look on reading as a sensuous pleasure—
(FOOTSTEPS)
GK: I'm sorry, did somebody say sensuous pleasure?
(SS GASP)
SS: Why- you look very familiar sir. Oh my gosh you're Carson O'Connor, the mystery writer's mystery writer.
GK: The very one. Pleased to meet you.
SS: My goodness. (HEARTBEAT) We are honored. Kent, can you — oh, he's gone.
GK: Wow— your dress. Just then. I've never seen — it just has a sort of aura in this late afternoon light.
SS: This old navy-blue knit thing-you know I was going to de-pill it this morning--
GK: That's not what I call navy blue. In this light, it looks more indigo. Or lapis. Or cerulean blue.
SS (TO HERSELF): Now I wish I'd worn heels instead my beige comfort loafers—
GK: It really brings out your eyes, Miss Harrison.
SS: (GASP) You know my name!
GK: It's on your nametag.
SS: Oh— my nametag. Pinned to my bosom.
GK: Stand right there. Don't move. I need to take a few notes.
SS: Oh be still my beating heart.
GK: Lissome. Angular. Lithe. Nubile.
SS: Nubile??
GK: Don't move. Please.
SS: I'm feeling faint for some reason.
GK: I'm going to put you in my new novel, Miss Harrison. Except your name will be Herrera. Raquel Herrera. You'll be a tango queen and the star of the tango craze sweeping the Ohio river valley.
SS: Did you say Ohio!
GK: Yes, my new novel is set there. It's called "The Theft of the Sacred Thesaurus" —
SS: I'm dreaming.....
GK: And it's set in a library. Except for the tango parts of course. They have wonderful libraries in Ohio. Maybe you've heard.
SS: Me. A late- middle-aged reference librarian with no makeup on whatsoever — nubile.
GK: There's just something about you. A sort of noble vulnerability.
SS (UNDER): Noble vulnerability. (HEARTBEAT) How did he know? It's like he can see straight into the beating chambers of my heart.
GK: I've been observing you for the past hour, from over there in the shadows. Getting a feeling for your rhythms-the way you talk, what you think about—
SS: What I think about— if only you knew—
GK: You're a tango dancer. You try to bring the beauty of the dance to people who love to eat sausage with cheese and chili.
SS: It's me. It's the story of my life.
(DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
TR (BUSH): I'm back. Say you don't have a bookmark, do you?
SS: Right there on the counter, sir.
TR (BUSH): Good. Sometimes I get lost. Need a reminder.
SS: There you go sir, take two.
TR (BUSH): Thanks. I'm going now.
(FOOTSTEPS OFF, DOOR OPENS, CLOSES, A BEAT)
GK: I'd love to have dinner with you. Except I see your roller bag. You must be about to leave on a journey.
SS: I've been on a journey for a long time, Mr. O'Connor.
GK: I have a plane at the airport, we could fly to Ohio together. Get adjoining hotel rooms, have dinner, a glass of wine, we could talk about books. You and me.
SS: Why—this is so sudden—
(DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
TR (BUSH): Um. I just realized I never paid for these books.
SS: Sir.
TR (BUSH): Stole 'em right outta here like some kind of bandit.
SS: Sir, this is a library. You don't buy the books. You borrow them.
(A BEAT)
TR (BUSH): I don't get it. So you're saying these are free?
SS: Not exactly, but just hold on a moment, Mr. O'Connor— oh — where'd he go?
TR (BUSH): I think he left.
GK: I'm right here. I just bent down to tie my shoe.
TR (BUSH): Oops. Mistakes were made.
GK: So what do you say, Ruth. Fly to the romantic metropolis of Cincinnati with me. Walk on the pedestrian suspension bridge in the moonlight.
SS: Oh Mr. O'Connor-
(FOOTSTEPS)
FN (TEEN): Your cab's here, Miss Harrison. What should I tell him?
SS: Tell him to go away, Kent. I already have a ride. The one I've been waiting for half my life (SIGH).
(THEME)
TR (ANNC): Join us again next time as we bring you into the hushed reading room of the Herndon County Library for the adventures of Ruth Harrison, Reference Librarian.
(THEME OUT)

Turkey Dance

2008-11-29T13:08:00.002-06:00

This year's Turkey Dance was even more fun with the addition of the Clapping stanza.
2008 Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dance!

Oh! Don't forget to rate it! The more high ratings it gets the higher it will be on the viewing lists.

Lisa's Baby Shower

2008-11-08T21:30:00.001-06:00

Garrison Keillor: Guy Noir

2008-11-08T18:51:00.000-06:00

Here's a part of Garrison Keillor's radio show. I've always enjoyed Guy Noir, but this one was particularly funny to me because the whole GPS part in the beginning. It's what I think my GPS is actually saying.

Guy Noir script
Saturday, November 8, 2008 Listen (MP3) Listen (RealAudio)
TR (ANNC): A dark night in a city that knows how to keep its secrets. But on the 12th floor of the Acme building, one man is trying to find the answers to life's persistent questions. Guy Noir, Private Eye.
(THEME)
GK: It was Election Night, and I dropped off to sleep and I had a dream Barack Obama was giving a speech
TR (OBAMA): Hello Chicago. (BIG CHEERS) If there is anyone out there who still thinks that America is a place that is run by people in their sixties who don't know how to do e-mail or text on a cellphone, tonight is your answer.
GK: And then I was awakened by a call. (PHONE RINGS). It was six-thirty in the morning. (PICKUP) Yeah, Guy Noir here. What can I do for you?
TR (ON PHONE): Guy, it's Louie down at the state election board — listen, we've got one precinct still not reporting. One little precinct. Pine Bluff Township. You mind driving out there and get the vote totals so we can lock up here?
(BRIDGE, CAR ACCEL)
GK: So I got in the car and punched Pine Bluff Township into my GPS and got almost there and
— SS (GPS VOICE): In point-one mile, turn left at the red barn with the chicken coop and silo and the "Prepare to Meet Thy God" sign on the tree in the front yard — Recalculating route...... GK: Whoops, Guess I missed the turn.
SS (GPS VOICE): As soon as possible, make a legal U turn.
GK: Road is too narrow for a U-turn.
SS (GPS VOICE): Then turn into a farmyard and turn around.
GK: I don't see a farmyard.
SS (GPS VOICE): In 100 yards turn in at the yard with the cast-iron deer and the plaster gnomes in the front yard....
(CAR BRAKES)
GK: Okay, there it is.
SS (GPS VOICE): Good. You found it. Now turn around and turn right onto the road you were just on.
GK: You don't need to be sarcastic. I know which way I'm coming from.
SS (GPS VOICE): Oh, really. Well, maybe you'd like me to just be quiet then. Okay. I'll just turn myself off and let you make it on your own.
GK: No, no. I didn't mean that. Where do I turn?
(BRIDGE)
It was a little white frame building. Pine Bluff Town Hall. There was a light inside. There was a meadow nearby and some Holsteins standing in the dark. (COWS QUIET MOOING)
A farmhouse far away. (DISTANT DOG BARK) And far beyond was the town. (DISTANT TRAIN WHISTLE PASSING) (FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL)
I walked over and (FOOTSTEPS ON WOODEN STAIRS) up to the door and went in (SQUEAKING DOOR) and there was a man sitting at a table under a single light bulb, counting ballots. (TR MURMURING) And a big jowly man in a chair beside him, asleep.
(TK JOWLY SNORING, OFF) (FOOTSTEPS)
TR: One thousand thirteen. One thousand fourteen. One thousand fifteen. One thousand sixteen. One thousand seventeen. One thousand eighteen. One thousand nineteen. One thousand twenty. One thousand twenty-one. One thousand twenty-two. One thousand twenty-three. One thousand twenty-four. One thousand.....
GK: Excuse me—
TR: Whaaaaa?!?!
(FLURRY OF PAPER)
(TK JOWLY MAN EXCLAMATION)
GK: I'm sorry- I didn't mean to startle you.
TR: Look what you've done!!!!
GK: Let me help you pick those up.
TR: No!
GK: I am sorry.
TK (JOWLY GIBBERISH)
TR: Go back to sleep, Cliff. Almost done.
TK (JOWLY GIBBERISH)
TR: Gotta start all over, Cliff. Sorry. Go back to sleep.
GK: You have to start all over?
TR: Have to start all over-
GK: Sir, there are news anchors in New York waiting for your vote totals.
TR: Gotta start over.
GK: The presidential vote totals.
TR: Already counted those, now I gotta count the last race, the one for township judge.
GK: You couldn't give me the presidential totals and then finish counting—
TR: I always do 'em all at once. (EXASPERATED SIGH) One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
GK: You know you could make piles of twenty. It would go faster.
TR: Mister, I've been counting ballots in this township for sixty-seven years. Sixty-seven years.
GK: Okay but it'd go faster if you —
TR: This is the way I've always done it. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. —Did I say five twice?
GK: You did.
TR: You know, if you weren't here bothering me, I might be done by now.
(TIME LAPSE BRIDGE)
GK: So I sat in the corner. Watched them do their thing. One man sleeping (SNORING) and the other man counting. (TR, OFF: Three hundred and fifty six. Three hundred and fifty seven...) I dozed off around four-hundred and when I woke up, he was almost done counting.....
TR: One thousand four hundred and eighty five. One thousand four hundred and eighty six. One thousand four hundred and eighty seven. (DOG BARKS, OFF) One thousand and-Shut that dog up!! (DOG BARKS, TK JOWLY GIBBERISH) Where was I?
GK: You were at one thousand four hundred and-
TR: And? (A BEAT)
GK: Eighty-eight.
TR: Okay. One thousand and — you sure?
GK: I'm sure.
TR: One thousand and—
GK: Eighty-eight.
TR: One thousand eighty-nine, one thousand ninety, one thousand ninety-one—
GK: Let me stop you there at one thousand ninety-one.
TR: What is it?
GK: I notice that this judgeship race you're counting votes for, you're only keeping one tally.
TR: I am counting votes.
GK: Not two or three totals, just one. One thousand ninety-one.
TR: Right.
GK: Why?
TR: She ran unopposed.
GK: We're sitting here five hours waiting for the vote total in a race with only one candidate?
TR: We need an accurate vote total.
GK: What's the problem if you're off by a couple? She's still elected.
TR: She wants to know if she has a mandate.
GK: A nation is waiting to hear about the race for president and you have to know whether you got one thousand ninety-one or one thousand ninety-two?
TR: Okay, now I'm confused again. I gotta start over.
GK: Don't start over. It's one thousand ninety-one—
TR: I want to get it right.
GK: You've got it right. You're at one thousand ninety-one—
TK: (JOWLY GIBBERISH)
TR: You can't go home now, Cliff. We aren't done counting yet.
TK: (JOWLY GIBBERISH)
TR: Just go outside in the bushes.
TK: (JOWLY GIBBERISH)
TR: Nobody's going to see you, what you talking about?
GK: You're at one thousand ninety-one—
TR: You're sure about that?
GK: Positive.
TR: Okay. Which ones haven't I counted yet?
GK: That pile there.
TR: Okay. One thousand ninety-one, one thousand ninety-two, one thousand ninety-three
(HE CONTINUES, INTO BRIDGE)
GK: So Cliff went home and Judge Hoolihan went and sat in her car and I took my seat by the door and I dozed off again and dreamed I was in Washington on Inauguration Day and (CANNONS FIRING) there was a twenty-one gun salute and the Blue Angels flew over (JETS SCREAMING IN SKY) and the honor guard came to attention (SFX SGT COMMANDS, THUNK OF RIFLES, CLICK OF HEELS) (BAGPIPE PLAYS "HAIL TO THE CHIEF") and I wondered, why a bagpipe? And then I saw him —
TR (MCCAIN): I do solemnly swear, my friends, that I will faithfully execute the office of President....
(STING) GK: And I woke up—
TR: One thousand five hundred and sixty one. One thousand five hundred and sixty two. One thousand five hundred and sixty three. One thousand five hundred and sixty four.
GK (UNDER): Keep going.
TR: One thousand five hundred and sixty four. One thousand five hundred and sixty five. — Did I make a mistake?
GK: No.
TR: One thousand five hundred and sixty six. One thousand five hundred and sixty seven. One thousand five hundred and sixty eight. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) One thousand five hundred and sixty-
TK (TEEN): Pizza! You order a sausage pizza? Extra onions?
TR: Dang it!
GK: Oh no.
TK (TEEN): Did somebody order a pizza? What's the address here? This isn't 611 Dry Creekbed Drive?
TR: It's 613 Dry Creekbed Drive. 611 is next door.
TK (TEEN): Whoops. Sorry. Wrong house. Bye
(FOOTSTEPS OFF)
TR: I suppose I have to start over.
GK: You were at five thousand two hundred and sixty eight.
TR: Five thousand? There aren't that many voters here.
GK: Okay. You don't like five thousand, let's say One thousand five hundred and sixty-eight.
TR: One. Two.
GK: Don't do it.
TR: Three.
GK: Listen-(SHOVES PAPER OFF TABLE)
TR: Hey! My ballots!
GK: The American people are ready for this election to be over, okay? I'm just gonna give you a number, okay? Two thousand and eight.
TR: Why?
GK: that's the final number. Report it and go home. Trust me. Report it to the election board and go home.
TR: That's not how it's done.
GK: It is now. Go eat. My treat. I'll buy you a pizza. What you want? Extra cheese? Onions? Sausage?
TR: No anchovies.
GK: No anchovies. Not a single one. I'll remember that.
TR: And pepperoni.
GK: Pepperoni. No anchovies.
TR: No green peppers.
GK: No green peppers. Got it.
(THEME)
SS (ANNC): A dark night in a city that knows how to keep its secrets. But on the 12th floor of the Acme building, one man is trying to find the answers to life's persistent questions. Guy Noir, Private Eye

St. Lucia Honeymoon

2008-10-29T23:30:00.001-05:00

If you had purchased...

2008-10-28T11:31:00.002-05:00

If you had purchased $1000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago you will have $49.00 today.
If you had purchased $1000 of shares in AIG one year ago you will have $33.00 today.
If you had purchased $1000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago you will have $0.00 today.
But if you had purchased $1000 worth of beer one year ago drank all the beer then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund you will have received $214.00.
Based on the above the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle.
It is called the 401-Keg.
A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year.
Another study found that Americans drink on average 22 gallons of alcohol a year.That means that on average Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon!

Makes you proud to be an American!

We're Back!

2008-10-28T11:23:00.002-05:00

Chris and I are back from our amazing St. Lucian honeymoon! We had so much fun. I will be posting pictures of both the honeymoon and the wedding soon. If anyone has pictures from the wedding, please feel free to email me them and I will post them.
Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes and love!

In-Law Bridal Shower

2008-10-10T12:51:00.000-05:00

Chris' Birthday

2008-09-22T21:00:00.000-05:00

How Chris celebrates his birthday... playing with his new toy!
Happy 30th, to my old man.

Whoopsie! on Invitations

2008-09-14T00:41:00.001-05:00

Just a slight correction

My First McDay

2008-08-18T21:12:00.000-05:00

So I started working at McDonald's today! Yeah!
It's something I never thought I'd do, but it's turning out to be a whole lot of fun. The people are really friendly, and of course the food is addictive.
My bosses make sure my MS doesn't interfere and even provided me with a chair to sit down on when I get too tired. I only work from 7am to 11am, so it's not that long, but it is a long time on my feet! At least a lot longer than I thought it would be, so the chair is really appriciated towards the end of my time. I work the register at the drive through, which is really nice. Someday I'm going to learn the headset, but that's kind of scarey to me.
(written later on) It's so busy in the mornings! I didn't realize how many people have McDonald's every single day for breakfast! There's a lot of regulars. One lady always brings her little yorkie with her to the drive-thru.
Anyway, keep eating McD's and remember that the lunch menu doesn't start till after 10:30am. :)

London Cruise on the River

2008-08-07T06:49:00.000-05:00

Catch Up

2008-07-11T22:56:00.002-05:00

It's been a while, I'll try to catch you up. Sorry about that. Check out some of the previous blogs: I'm going to try and post with previous dates, so you'll hahve to go back in time... sorry :) Hope you have fun checking out what I've been up to! It'll be that way throughout my blogs.

Vesica Piscis Part 3

2008-06-05T04:08:00.001-05:00

Vesica Piscis Part 3

2008-06-05T04:07:00.003-05:00

Vesica Piscis part 2

2008-06-05T04:07:00.001-05:00

Been a while

2008-05-27T23:28:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted, and a lot has gone on. I'll have to fill you up on everything as soon as I have a moment to catch my breath... and that moment is coming. I'm starting to get the hang of this "married life" thing, I think... maybe... maybe... the dust is starting to settle, which is good, because I've got the big wedding to plan! I do have my dress, **squeal**!! My mom and mom-in-law went with me to help me pick it out. Read about it soon on the wedding page (I promise that update is coming soon too; time, people, I need time!).
Chris is enjoying his new job here, which is good. I am searching for a part time job, while doing part time work at the Ranch. Also, I'm learning that housekeeping and wedding planning are almost fulltime jobs to themselves! But most everything is under control with the wedding thanks to the VP personelle. Housekeeping is getting there... I just got to get into a daily routine and not let myself fall behind.
Christopher did such a wonderful job surprising me with a beautiful setup on the house! Everything was put away... and we have furniture! It's great! I just have to pick up every once and a while to keep everything as wonderful as he made it for me. It's hard to do, because I get out paperwork and just spread out all over. I know it annoys him. But he's a dear and doesn't say anything. That's one of many reasons why I love him. Anyway, enough gushing. I should get some sleep.

McDonald's 'Chicken Legend'

2008-05-15T19:04:00.001-05:00

Here's one of the chicken legend commercials, but I like the other one better... I'll try to get it downloaded soon. :)

Official Virgin Holidays Advert - Starring Charlotte Church

2008-05-15T18:59:00.001-05:00

It's such a fun advertisment!

New Haircut

2008-05-10T19:03:00.004-05:00

I got a new haircut today! Great feeling. I love it!

This is me before:

This is me now:

Aren't I cute/sexy!! I love it! It's nice and short, but still long enough to do stuff with.

Mom got her hair cut as well. Isn't she georgous?

Think before you speak

2008-04-05T14:51:00.002-05:00

Think before you speak...

Here are six reasons why you should think before you speak - the last
one is great!

Have you ever spoken and wished that you could immediately take the
words back... or that you could crawl into a hole?

Here are the Testimonials of a few people who did....

FIRST TESTIMONY:

I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and
asked loudly,

'How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?' I turned
around and walked back out and never went back.

My husband didn't say a word... he knew better.

SECOND TESTIMONY:

I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I
was unhappy with the wome n's type I had been using.

After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the
good-looking gentlemen who works at the store. He asked if he could
help me.

Without thinking, I looked at him and said, 'I think I like playing
with mens balls'.

THIRD TESTIMONY:

My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a
variety of candy and nuts.

As we were looking at the display case, the boy behind the counter
asked if we needed any help.

I replied, 'No, I'm just looking at your nuts.'

My sister started to laugh hysterically. The boy grinned, and I
turned beet-red and walked away. To this day, my sister has never
let me forget.

FOURTH TESTIMONY :

While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to
release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab
hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other
patrons. I told her that if she did not start behaving 'right now'
she would be punished.

To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as
threatening, 'If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma
that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!'

The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the
tellers stopped what they were doing.

I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with
my daughter in tow.

The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me, were screams
of laughter.

FIFTH TESTIMONY:

Have you ever asked your child a question too many times?

My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I
was on him constantly. One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick
lunch, in between errands. I t was very busy, with a fu ll dining
room.

While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so of course I
checked my seven-month-old daughter. she was clean.

Then I realized that Danny had not asked to go potty in a while. I
asked him if he needed to go, and he said 'No' .

I kept thinking 'Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't
have any clothes with me.'

Then I said, 'Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?'

'No,' he replied.

I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was
getting worse. Soooooo, I asked one more time, 'Danny did you have
an accident ? This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent
over, spread his cheeks and yelled

'SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!'

While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing, he
calmly pulled up his pants and sat down.

An old couple made me feel better, thanking me for the best laugh
they'd eve r had!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST TESTIMONY:

This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very
embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think
before she speaks.

What happens when you predict snow but don't get any?!

We had a female news anchor that, the day after it was supposed to
have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked:

'So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?'

Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they
were laughing so hard!

Tracy's Trip

2008-03-22T12:42:00.002-05:00

These are a long time coming; but here are the pictures from Tracy's trip to ASF.

6 things that resemble the Death Star

2008-03-18T15:00:00.001-05:00

It’s a simple shape, a sphere with a concave dish set in the surface. In 1977, the shape was forever linked to the movie Star Wars and is known as the Death Star. In the movie, it was a space station as large as a natural moon that housed the “ultimate weapon”, a planet-destroying laser.

1. Hotel Full Moon

The Hotel Full Moon in Baku, Azerbaijan is a design from Heerim Architects of Korea, to be built on a peninsula overlooking Full Moon Bay. The luxury hotel will have 382 rooms in its 35 stories. Another hotel on the bay will be called Hotel Crescent, also with a shape to follow its name.

That’s only the most recent example. Keep reading for others.

2. Convention Center Near Dubai

The RAK Convention and Exhibition Center in the new city of Ras al Khaimah, UAE looks very much like the Death Star. A project still in the concept stage from the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, the design is the result of a competition. The project team is led by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, who also designed the CCTV building in Beijing. The building will hold hotels, offices, restaurants, and stores as well as a convention hall. See more pictures here.

3. Belarus National Library

The Belarus National Library moved into a new building in 2006. It’s not spherical; the shape is a rhombicuboctahedron (try saying that three times fast). During the day, the 24 sides sparkle with glass panels. At night, they are illuminated by 4646 color-changing LEDs. The Minsk building is imposing and not without controversy. It has been referred to as the Death Star both because of the way it looks and how it was financed.

4. AT&T Logo

AT&T’s world globe logo was designed by Saul Bass in 1984, replacing the phone logo that had been in use for nearly 100 years. This came about because of the forced breakup of Ma Bell into seven regional “baby bells”. SBC Communications bought AT&T in 2005, and a new, slightly different logo was unveiled. The newest one hides the classic death star spot somewhat better, but some can still see the Evil Empire in the logo.

5. Panapet

The distinctive shape of the Death Star was around before Star Wars. It’s possible that George Lucas, or some of the other creative minds behind Star Wars owned a Panasonic R-70 transistor radio, marketed as the Panapet. Very likely, in fact, since it seemed everyone had one. They were produced in the early 70s.

6. Mimas

The most amazing similacrum of the Death Star is Mimas, one of the inner moons of Saturn. It has an 80-mile-wide crater named Herschel, which looks like it could easily focus a superlaser. The uncanny resemblence is coincidental, as Star Wars was made several years before the first photographs of Mimas with its crater were taken.

If you love the shape, and don’t want to travel to Dubai, or Minsk, or Saturn, you can build your own Death Star with a Lego kit -or just watch someone else do it.

The Story behind the Cereal

2008-03-18T14:54:00.002-05:00

The Stories Behind Your Favorite Cereal Mascots
By Nick Hansen

Everyone remembers the wonderful Saturday morning ritual of diving into multiple bowls of sugared cereal while watching hours of cartoons. (Some of us haven’t moved on yet.) Cereal cartoons are one of the largest and most successful advertising trends in history. I still sympathize with the Trix Rabbit for not being able to enjoy a bowl of his fruit-shaped cereal. Here are the stories behind the characters that successfully motivated us to beg our parents to purchase their sugary products.

Horatio Crunch — Cap’n Crunch

One of the grossest things about cold cereal is when it gets too soggy and turns mushy. Captain Horatio P. Crunch was born in response to a survey kids that said they hated soggy cereal. Jay Ward (above) drew the captain and, according to his daughter, based the cartoon on himself. The honorable captain was charged with guarding the Crunch from the evil barefoot pirate Jean Le-Foote. The Captain has protected his cereal from the menace of sogginess so well that there was a movement to promote him to the rank of Admiral. If you look closely at the early commercials, they look familiar to other cartoons of the day. That’s because Jay Ward also animated other popular TV shows like Rocky and Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right and George of the Jungle.

Can you see the resemblance?

Snap, Crackle and Pop — Rice Krispies

Rice Krispies had the distinction of being a cereal you could hear. A jingle for the noisy cereal inspired illustrator Vernon Grant to create the characters Snap, Crackle, and Pop:

“Listen to the fairy song of health, the merry chorus sung by Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® as they merrily snap, crackle, and pop in a bowl of milk. If you’ve never heard food talking, now is your chance.”

Grant’s flair for fantasy caused him to draw the three characters as gnomes. Snap was the first gnome and appeared in a few solo ads before his brothers came along. When they first started appearing in 1939 they fought against their rivals Soggy, Mushy and Toughy for the hearts (and bowls) of the children. Once the television ads began to be seen by a larger and younger audience, Kellogg’s decided to modernize the three and make them more human-like. Snap, Crackle and Pop are now the longest-running cereal advertising campaign in history.

The Rabbit — Trix

Before he was animated, the Trix rabbit was a hand puppet. The original tagline for the cereal was “I’m a rabbit and rabbits are supposed to like carrots. But I hate carrots. I like Trix.” Catchy, isn’t it? General Mills knew that television was the best way to advertise to kids and they decided to spend 97 percent of their advertising budget on commercials. It paid off: the “Silly Rabbit” campaign was a hit. By 1976, General Mills was worried it was sending the wrong message to kids by having the rabbit always fall short of his aspiration. They decided to do the American thing and let the kids vote whether the rabbit should get a bowl. The Rabbit’s campaign was so successful that more than 99 percent kids voted to let the rabbit have a bowl. The Rabbit has succeed in grabbing bites here and there, but he hasn’t had a full bowl since 1980. And as you can see, it is probably a good thing because it seems to have some sort of weirdly stimulating effect on him.

Tony the Tiger — Frosted Flakes

Cartoon spokescharacters were all the rage in the 1950s. The Kellogg Company wanted an animal to advertise its new Sugar Frosted Flakes to appeal to the younger generation while reassuring mothers that it was OK to let their kids eat a sugared cereal for breakfast. The Leo Burnett advertising agency came up with four different choices: Tony the Tiger, Katy the Kangaroo, Elmo the Elephant and Newt the Gnu. The agency could not decide between a kangaroo or a tiger, but the marsupial was sacked when the feline outsold her by huge margins. The tiger concept was so successful that Kellogg’s sued Exxon Mobile for their use of a tiger in their advertisements.

When Tony first appeared on cereal boxes, advertising critic James D. Wolf said, “I am very fond of breakfast cereals, but a tiger fails to give me a hankering.” Evidently he didn’t realize how “great” Tony would become. If Tony’s singing voice sounds familiar it’s because his voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft also sang “You’re a mean one Mr. Grinch” for the Grinch cartoon. [Stacy’s Note: He also sang one of the ‘Grim Grinning Ghosts’ parts in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyworld.] Tony’s son also had a short lived spinoff cereal called Frosted Rice.

Lucky — Lucky Charms

The concept of marshmallows in a bowl (or “marbits,” as General Mills called them) was easily appealing to kids, but a much harder sell for parents. Lucky was spawned from a concept to base the marshmallows around a charm bracelet. Lucky was replaced for a time in the 1970’s by Waldo the Wizard, but the leprechaun came back within a year. The marbits continued to evolve due to increased product sales every time a new one was added. Lucky’s original charm bracelet included yellow moons and stars, but now are blue moons and shooting stars. Kids could not resist trying to catch Lucky to get his marshmallow-filled cereal. Fortunately, Lucky provided the secret… go to the store and buy a box. Arthur Anderson supplied Lucky’s voice for 29 years, but surprisingly he’s not Irish.

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My Baby's So Sweet Now that She's got a hair cut

2008-03-16T13:15:00.000-05:00

House in Owasso OK

2008-03-10T23:20:00.002-05:00

Yard Sale

2008-02-26T23:13:00.002-06:00

Yeah! The yard sale is over!

We made quite a bit of money and are very happy with the results. We did have a few boxes of knick-knacky things to donate to Goodwill at the end of the day (which ended up being at 4pm) but all big items went really quick.
We had a preview on Friday which was supposed to start at 4pm, and ended up starting at around 3:30. The actual sale on Saturday was supposed to start at 7:30am and ended up starting somewhere before 6am. I was not terribly a happy camper. But I was glad to take the money.
I was very greatful that Patti and Anita were there to help, because I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. All those people with their questions! I think I would have sold everything for a dollar, including the fridge, if they'd kept asking me. Thank goodness for the kindness of other people, because I was about to explode. That is why I stuck to doing the money.
It was a very tiring day, and fufilling. I feel a great weight is lifted. It continues to go with me as we pack for our future. Chris and I are both still weeding out items that we no longer wear to take to Goodwill for donations again. We are filling our souls, and it feels good. It feels good not to have so much stuff taking over our lives and bogging us down. And especially since we wont be carrying it with us. It's like a clean escape from this state. It will be good.

Oral Trials

2008-02-06T17:29:00.001-06:00

Okay, so this could go under either Job or Everything Nice, but for right now I feel it definitely deserves to go under EN. As ya'all know, there's been talk of an oral drug coming out for MS treatment, well the clinical trials have been going on, and so far so good, so they're going to do long term clinical trials. And one of the study centers is in Tulsa! So I'm going to try and get signed up as a lab rat as fast as I can. I really think it'd be great.
I've talked to some of the other people who have taken the clinical trials who were obviously not taking the placebo and they say that it works wonderfully, with no side effects, so that's really good news. I'm really hopeful. I have my next appointment with Dr. E at the beginning of March, and I've gotta ask for my Oklahoma transfer then, so I'll ask for the recommendation for the clinical study at that time as well. I checked it out, and filled out the survey, they seem to think I'd be a prime candidate for it. I'm really excited. **Squeal!!**

Just a Few LOLCats

2008-02-05T13:12:00.000-06:00

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

Sister's Wedding Pictures

2008-01-23T11:08:00.000-06:00

http://walker-wedding.blogspot.com/

Check out my sister's wonderful winter wonderland wedding! They are awesome pictures!

Food for Thought

2008-01-14T12:12:00.000-06:00

THESE clever landscape photos prove art is a matter of taste – they are made from the contents of a FRIDGE.

Artist Carl Warner, 44, combines several images to create the amazing scenes, including a broccoli forest, bread mountains, cheese village and smoked salmon sea.

The dad-of-four plans to turn the photos into a book to encourage kids to eat more healthily. But he admits his own children still have trouble eating their greens. Carl, of Tonbridge, Kent, said: “But at least they don’t play with their food as much as I do.”

Long and Winding Road

2008-01-04T10:51:00.001-06:00

http://www.tomrobinsonphotography.com/images/romania/_DSC0916.jpg

Brilliant photo. I love it, which is why it's on this page.

2007-12-09T02:43:00.000-06:00

So I found this article in the December edition of Real Simple Magazine (in the Life Lessons: Good Intentions) and I thought it just had to be shared:

Bad Santa
You want: a present that expresses how he feels about you (bonus points if it's romantic). He wants: a detailed wish list (bonus points if you'll settle for gift cards). Men aren't Scrooges, Kyle Smith explains. They're just holiday-shopping challenged.

In the mobster movie Donnie Brasco, there's a scene that every guy loves. Al Pacino's broken-down old wise-guy, Lefty Ruggiero, celebrates Christmas by giving a cash-filled envelope to Brasco, a young street hood who has become his protégé (and who is, actually, an undercover FBI agent, played by Johnny Depp). Brasco reciprocates with an envelope stuffed with what appears to be the same amount of money. The two men hug, and everybody seems happy.
The scene is supposed to underline how dumb and crude gangsters are, but doesn't it really show how clueless the rest of us are? Unless yo have kids, you expect to spend about the same amount on holiday presents that others spend on you. But, unlike Donnie Brasco, much of what yo get - and give - will be the wrong size, the wrong style, or completely ill considered.
Just to be clear, I'm not against Christmas. I love Christmas. Midnight Mass is beautiful and serene and holy; Meet Me in St. Lois is a great movie that can be watched only between December 1 and 25 (so is Love Actually); and in the Northeast, where I’ve spent most of my life, the question of whether there will be a white Christmas is always surprisingly suspenseful. I look forward to the family reunions, crackling fires, and goofy shared jokes carried over from last year, especially when all of this is accompanied by pie. It’s the gift giving where I, and many of my male brethren, run into some trouble.
A Jewish friend of mine once expressed incredulity that exchanging Christmas gifts was a valid expression of love or friendship. “Aren’t you just doing each other’s shopping?” she said.
Sort of, except, like most men, I can’t stop.
I feel overwhelmed in malls, and last-minute crowds irk me. (Of course, I cold do my shopping in October, like my mother, but I happen to be really busy every October. Do you have any idea how many football games there are to watch?)
In his novel Microserfs, Douglas Coupland writes that the average male has only about 73 calories of shopping energy, and once they’re gone, they’re gone for the day, if not for the week, and can’t be regenerated. We’re shopping light-weights, and the reason is that the experience stirs up some dour, primal memories of being helpless little kids who spent long stretches of our most impressionable years being dragged from every Casual Corner to Marshall’s to Dress Barn by never-quite-satisfied mothers who responded to our whining by telling us to just hush up and be patient for six more hours. I think I have Post-Traumatic Shopping Disorder.
I’m man enough to admit that many guy gifting errors spring from within. Our misfires, while well-intentioned, are usually a result of our poor listening skills or a general lack of knowledge of women’s vocabulary. I confess that, over the years, I’ve been guilty of the latter many times. (“I thought you said you wanted a tennis racket…. Oh…. What’s a tennis bracelet?”) Female sizes remain a mystery to me. (Why is it that my pants have specific measurements - 32-inch waist, 30-inch inseam – but women’s pants carry mysterious numerals, like 8, that don’t indicate anything? Eight what?) To me, luggage is something made out of sensible glow-in-the-dark nylon held together with thick, webbed straps and stainless-steel D rings so you can strap it onto your back when you’re about to march up a mountain in China. How was I to know it meant a cute quilted bag like something Helena Bonham Carter would have carried to a tea party in Howards End?
My inept gift exchanging hasn’t always been entirely my fault. Before I got married this year, I used to engage in a dismal hobby dating passive-aggressive girls. Christmas is the day they look forward to all year; it is to the passive-aggressive what Halloween is to the Goth. In mid-November, a variation on this conversation would occur about once a week:
She: “So, what are you going to get me?”
He: “What would you like?”
She: “I’m not going ot tell you. You have to guess. Bt it better to be something original, thoughtful, and personal.”
He: “OK. So… a gift certificate to the nearest chain store.”
She: (Icy stare, storms from room, doesn’t speak for four hours.)
Unlike the exes, my wife has been very understanding about my gift-giving issues, and she and other members of my family no longer bother dropping hints to me. They don’t say things like “Oh, just pick out some earrings or a sweater that looks nice.” Left to my own devices, I’m liable to buy something that went out of style back when Joanie Loves Chachi went off the air. Instead, they provide me with detailed Christmas wish list, and I do the same.
But here’s the thing about buying me Christmas presents: I don’t want any. I live in a Manhattan apartment the size of a dog kennel, and my closets and shelves are already heaped with stuff. But if I tell my relatives not to get me anything, they won’t listen. If I don’t give them a list, I could wind up with a grandfather clock or a kayak or a cello. So I’m careful to suggest items readily available from established national retailers. Not everyone in my family plays this way.
My mother collects ceramic Santa Clauses, which stand in phalanxes on her shelves and in a vast china closet. I have no problem with getting her what she wants, even if I find these little figurines frightening and am convinced that every time I turn my back, they move an inch closer to me. But they are limited-edition, special handcrafted signature collectible, and the one she decides to add to her collection every year is, according to eBay, available only from one woman in Lawrence, Kansas. (That holds true whether I’m looking to buy Caribbean Santa, baseball-playing Santa, or unicyclin’ Santa.) I don’t know how to win an auction on eBay, so, in a full-on December 21 panic, I end up paying the inflated “Buy it now” price with extra tacked on for overnight shipping and yet more for gift wrapping, only to discover the next day 15 identical Santas selling for a third of what I just paid.
At other times, Mom has asked for an item she saw in a specific store (sorry, it’s not available on the website), and this is no less terrifying. The stores are teeming with immense, seething crowds and sinister perfume ladies who spritz everyone who comes within 10 yards of them. Because it’s cold outside, I wear a winter coat. But it’s 84 degrees inside, so I develop a boiling headache as I wait in line at the jewelry counter, only to be sent to a different jewelry counter, where I wait behind someone who is determined to try on every bauble in the case. I finally ask about the watch Mom wanted. They probably don’t have it, because it’s nearly Christmas and they’re sold out of everything. But if I’m lucky and find the present I’m looking for, then I get to wait in a gift-wrapping line like the one at the post office on tax day.
Luckily, I have acquired a secret weapon. My wife loves to wrap presents – even her own. She likes some of the same things my mother does and knows where to get them. She actually likes ot shop, especially for other women. I’ve already had the undeniable peasurable experience of sitting by the Christmas tree and seeing my mother open a perfectly wrapped present marked. “To Mom. Love, Kyle.” My mother will respond with something like “Oh, lovely! How did you know I wanted this?” And I’ll just smile mysteriously and look up to see what I got her.

Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe

2007-11-30T20:22:00.001-06:00

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All Better

2007-11-18T20:06:00.000-06:00

Everything is better now. My computer is back and running. Admittadly, the Geek Squad did nothing but tell me what I already knew. Well, they did copy files off of my harddrive, so that's good. Anyway, I did the right thing and restarted my computer completely. It's running faster. Connecting easier. A lot better. I re-installed Quicken, Microsoft Office, and Blackberry items. All is running like a brand new computer. Yeah!!!
So since my computer is better now, I'm better now.

iPlunge

2007-11-17T17:39:00.000-06:00

Hi guys. Listen.

Um.

I'm preparing to join a cult.

The iCult.

That's right, I'm thinking about buying a Mac.

Don't look at me like that. It's not because I think I'm better than you. It's just that ... they're so easy. (And pretty). And they apparently don't give as much guff as PCs, which is good, because I'm about done with getting guff from my friggin' Dell. (And it's pretty).

I read reviews and compared specs online, and even when taking various PCs into account, Mac still seemed closer to my iNeeds. Ooops, I mean needs. Needs.

So hopefully I can beam up to the mothership in the next few weeks here. Gotta figure out if I want to order an Apple. Either way, if the thing acts up I can take it to my nearest Apple store -- wherever that may be when this hypothetical situation occurs -- and say "here, fix this." Which is another big, big plus for Apple, in my book.

Today I was doing some more iResearch -- um, research, I mean -- including an entertaining click-through on the Japanese Apple site, which led me to this:

Tell me. Does anything seem eerily ... familiar ... about those guys?

Take a gander at the Japanese PC/Mac commercials here. Quit yer whining that you don't know Japanese. Trust me, you'll get it. And you'll be simultaneously amused and weirded out.

As for now

2007-11-14T21:29:00.000-06:00

Feeling a lot better now. Thanks to drugs and rest I'm doing better. My hand is still recovering. I feel revived. Hopeful.

Bein' an Okie

2007-11-02T19:32:00.000-05:00

Forget Rednecks, here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about folks from Oklahoma ...

If someone in a store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Oklahoma .

If you've worn shorts and a coat at the same time, you probably live in Oklahoma .

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you most likely live in Oklahoma .

If "Vacation" means going anywhere south of Oklahoma City for the weekend, you probably live in Oklahoma .

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Oklahoma . Is there a different way of measuring distance when traveling? ;)

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Oklahoma .

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Oklahoma .

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Oklahoma .

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you may live in Oklahoma .

If you find 60 degrees "a little chilly", you may live in Oklahoma .

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your Oklahoma friends & others, you definitely live in Oklahoma

Today's Laugh

2007-10-16T12:16:00.001-05:00

Feeling Better

2007-10-08T14:52:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I'm feeling quite a bit cheerier today. I'm starting a new weight loss thing. I've joined the Y, and so has Chris... hopefully we'll start going soon. I'm going to be going and doing swim laps on Wednesdays. That'll be really nice. I haven't been swimming in forever, and I miss it so!
Chris has started the Alli and it's helping with his digestion. So I decided to start it too... and so far I've actually had a bowl movement! If you were me, you'd be excited as well. Finally. Sorry, it's disgusting, but it makes me feel better. No wonder I've been bitchy lately... I've been full of crap!
Also, my sweet English teacher read my paper aloud because she thought it was so beautiful. I knew she was liking my papers, but this one was really prime. She said I could get it published if I worked on it and turned it back in. That'd be way awesome.
Let's see... Oh yes. I'm getting married! My ring is fitting tighter because Chris and I went to the local Zales and got a free sizing band. So I'm not worried about waving it about or playing with the pups and loosing it.

Excited

2007-10-01T14:05:00.000-05:00

YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I'm so excited! It doesn't help that I've just tried the YUMMY iced coffee from McDs. But Jeni's getting married in December in a lovely castle and I get to be her Maid of Honor! I guess this'll be the last wedding I go to as a Maid and and not a Matron!!! I can't wait to find out what I get to wear. I know it's in David's Bridal Marine color, which is super pretty. Jen's having a blue and silver winter wedding. I'm so excited.

M&M Me

2007-09-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

So this is the M&M Me...

I thought it was fun, yet me.

Wedded Bliss

2007-09-21T10:56:00.000-05:00

It's official! Chris and I are getting married! **SQUEEL** Anyway... in lue of the blessed event, I created yet another blogger page. Just check out randrwedding.blogspot.com
And I'll see you there.

Culture fest

2007-09-02T23:25:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to say HI. Not much's been going on personally. Chris' been gone and he'll be coming back tomorrow. We're learning to tighten our wallet and start a better budgeting program. The dogs and chins have been doing okay.
I helped out at the First Annual Culture Fest. It was a really impressive event. I know I wasn't planning on it being such a big event but was plesantly surprised by it. I participated in the kids activity department. At first it was pretty quiet with everything else going on, but suddenly there was a boom of children down stairs under the tent coloring, painting, creating, etc. It was a really good time. I even got some facepainting in. Abby was a gem at it, so she did it for a majority of the time.
It was definetly a real success. Someone said there was over 1,500 there! That's amazing!
Despite it being a Saturday (which means I was already worn down) it was a good one. I did get a bit more worn out, so it's a good thing we have this three day weekend, so that I have two days to recover.

Kids at play

2007-08-23T22:55:00.000-05:00

These are a bit old since Chris is in Oklahoma now, but I guess I wanted to share the joys of yard work with everyone. So here are a couple of pictures of the new people that do the lawn...

Chris and I.