Object of My Desire

The new Dyson Root 6.

I gotta get it.

I know, I know... that and a life.

NUTS!

Political statement just in time for the pecan harvest!

Clarification of Priorities and Love

I sense a little jealousy in the household and would be remiss if I didn't clarify and state for the record...

My Number One, Most Sweetest and Prettiest Girl in the World is my baby girl...

Miss Comet!

How Noah Built His Ark

I was doing a little research on how to build my ark,
and I found this...
Bill Cosby narrates the story of Noah and His Ark!
Enjoy!

Recipe for Mischief: The Catapult

The first in a series,
today we feature the Catapult!

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia: Search catapult!

Ingredients, as follows:

1. A golden retriever that poops healthy and somewhat large poops who also, from time to time, leaves dead carcasses for her Mom to dispose of, in a manner of her choosing.
2. Baby birds who fall victim to strong storms.
3. The passing of Mister P, a huge 12" long plecostomus, that cannot be interred, lest the aforementioned golden retriever should take to grave robbing.
4. An understanding of the basic laws of physics.
5. 'Some' knowledge of construction.
6. Friends with tools... many, many and various tools.
7. A love for peace and quiet and considerate neighbors.
8. A love for romantic or solitary soaks in the hot tub and entertaining or meditating on the patio.
9. All the other reasons I fell in love with this little house on this street in this neighborhood.

And last, but certainly the most critical ingredient:

10. Neighbors with a new swimming pool and a penchant for country music radio, loud conversations, swearing, and all afternoon to the wee hours of the morning parties, every single freaking weekend.

Five Things That Suck as Much as My Dyson

1. Not having enough time.
2. The view from the bottom of a deep rut.
3. Fatal errors. Software Lock-ups. And other Computer glitches.
4. Double standards.
5. Traffic. Coming and Going. Always traffic.

A Rich, Full Life and Other TV Happenings

Glenn Beck is a hunk!

Crime is so practically non-existant that Greta Van Susteren makes Aruba's 'most wanted' list.

Why so many blog entries tonight??? I'm trying to stay awake for Greta's interview with Joran Van Der Sloot, of course. It's pointless, I know. The case is blown. One can now only hope for a secret told in a moment of weakness.

Rolling the Trash to the Curb

Background

I live in a great neighborhood with large, shady trees. It was established in the late 1940's, early 1950's and has remained, for the very most part, really well maintained. People take pride in their homes and look out for each other. You can't beat it's location and it's just a great place to live. But like many old neighborhoods, it has sadly found itself on a sort of edge. It's most outward edge has become... shall we say, risky.

Rolling the Trash to the Curb

In the past, it was a given that you had the inalienable right to roll your trash to the curb the night before pick-up, without so much a glancing thought that someone would enter that sanctified container.

That, my friend, is the past. Witness:

1. On one evening before heavy trash pickup day, someone actually ripped open bags that I had placed neatly on the curb. Not only were the bags ripped, but the contents were strewn along the sidewalk, and items were missing.
2. That night, I re-bagged the items and left them on the curb. The HT people didn't come the following day, and when I got home from work, the bags were ripped open again!
3. I re-bagged the re-bagged items and made a poster board sign that read: "PLEASE DON'T RIP OPEN THE BAGS. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WHAT'S IN THEM, PLEASE TAKE THEM TO YOUR HOUSE TO GO THROUGH THEM".
4. I woke up the next morning and the bags were gone.
5. One night, I actually caught a man going through my trash can! Like an absolute fool, I flew out of the house in my pajamas ( and on my broom) and confronted him. Fortunately, he was a gentle old soul and I felt awful about my hostility. I even ended up helping find the various cans and metals. It was obvious that he needed those items, and while I felt my privacy had been invaded, his motive outweighed my anger.
6. On many occasions, I have walked out to the trash container (on the curb) to throw one last bag away, and I've found beer bottles and cigarette boxes on top. I know it's the neighborhood teenagers, and they mean no harm. I'd rather they throw them in a trash can (someone else's) than discard them on the curb.

All of this said, I've made it a rule to wait until morning to roll my trash to the curb.

Tonight, however, I feel safe. With pride and a sense of giddy amusement, I rolled my city-issued trash can to the curb.

Why pride and amusement?

Right on top of the weekly garbage, I placed a huge bag of dog poop.

Thank God for the Pottery Barn Catalog!

Over the weekend, I saw the results of a GERM study on the news:

• Lavatory faucet handles are worse than the inside of the toilet.
• And the magazines in a doctor's office... well, they are worse than almost ANYthing!

This is not something I've never considered before. I've always been a slight germaphobe, and have avoided touching ANYthing in the doctor's office. You see, I'm usually there NOT because I'm "sick", but because I'm having a wellness exam or maybe a sore foot or something.

I usually sit there quietly, with my hands tucked up under my armpits, staring at the fish tank. The problem is, everyone likes to sit near the fish tank... and I don't want to sit with them!

So today, I went prepared... armed with my own POTTERY BARN CATALOG! And trust me, I didn't let IT touch anything either.

Home Sick: Misery and Musings

DAY ONE: MONDAY

1. God, it was good to get home and take my clothes off.
2. Ahhhh... clean sheats and a heating pad.
3. Feeling achy and cold, on not a cold day, I took my temperature. It was 101.2, leaving me with some concern... as (really bad) colon problems run in my family.
4. Miss C drove me crazy.
5. Cooking macaroni and cheese for a late lunch was an ordeal.
6. Dozed most of the afternoon, but noted that judge shows are still good tv.
7. Dozed and missed most of Dr Phil. The part I saw was sick fun.
8. Caught Oprah: Mark Jacobs. He was cool, but I don't get the hubbub. And I don't get the handbag fetish thing... made me wonder if it's a gene.
9. Caught Oprah: The Jimmy Choo shoes were cool, but I'm just SO not a shoe addict... made me wonder if it's a gene. MORE ON THIS STORY LATER.
10. Caught Oprah: Wow. I think at one time I had the original Barbie (worth $25,000 today). I didn't see a use for it then. Sadly, I DO NOW!!!!
11. Caught Oprah: Elmo is a tall black man with a deep voice!!!! Who knew!!! Sadly, it was the shortest part of her program, and frankly, why I tuned in!
12. Cratered to Miss C and let her run around in the yard.
13. Discovered that she DID see a meter man (when she barked). He left the gate unlocked!Fortunately, I checked it before it blew open.
14. Fed Miss C and ate some pizza crust for dinner. Fed the grilled chicken to the baby!
15. Took my temperature again during Raymond re-runs... 100.4.
16. Settled in for the night and watched Wife Swap. Can you believe that woman had a frosty bear head in her freezer???
17. Flipped between 2 1/2 Men and The Bachelor (am I actually admitting this???).
18. Made a mental note to stay up to catch the local ABC affiliate's update on Matt Hickl (the ultimate bachelor)... but fell asleep, instead.
    

DAY TWO: TUESDAY

1. Slept pretty well, but was upset to wake up in pain... again.
2. Feeling a lot less achy, took my temperature. 98.2.
3. Belly still too tender for clothing, but was happy that I could sit up with little pain. Decided that sweat pants would have to do for the medical center!
4. Did a little work from home. Let Miss C do her deal.
5. Did all the stuff you have to do before a Well Woman Exam. You girls know what I'm talking about.
6. Promised the folks in the office that I would be there tomorrow. There's no way I would have been productive the last two days, it's good to know that I'm needed.
7. Said a prayer and headed off for the poking and prodding.
8. Made it home after a long wait at the doctor's office. Look for a post later on this ordeal.
9. Miss C was exhuberant.
10. Ate pizza crust for dinner.
11. And now I'm headed for bed, so exhausted that I don't even care what's on television.

'Well' Woman Exam

If you get sick the day before your 'Well' Woman Exam... should you cancel?

46 Hopes

1. Dogs go to Heaven.
2. There's a big family reunion in Heaven.
3. Good health and a long life.
4. Miss C lives as long as I do.
5. Continued blessings.
6. Eternal forgiveness.
7. My brother has a change of heart.
8. Mom and Daddy are still looking over me.
9. That I'll always make them proud.
10. Houston and the entire nation are free from terrorism and natural disaster.
11. Someday we'll all get along.
12. I'll adopt, either formally or informally.
13. MJ will have a change of heart.
14. Or I will find the right S/O.
15. All the people I love will live in close proximity.
16. Pay house off at least 10 years early.
17. Total, unconditional equality.
18. Total, unconditional love.
19. God wraps His arms around my loved ones who have entered His Kingdom.
20. Lose weight and get in shape... to stay.
21. Spend more time with friends.
22. Prosperity and well-being for all my loved ones.
23. Pets and children never suffer from the neglect, abuse or poor decisions of others.
24. A more joyful way to earn a living.
25. Windfalls come my way.
26. Investments and savings increase.
27. Own land in the country, as well as a beach house.
28. Own a "sweet" Honda Trail 90.
29. To be valued and appreciated more, by others.
30. I'll know when opportunity knocks.
31. I'll publish my books.
32. An increase in everyday energy.
33. Better vision.
34. Professional advancement.
35. White bread will be discovered to cure cancer, heart disease and strokes.
36. Compete, athletically, again.
37. Security (emotional, financial and personal safety) and much, much less worry.
38. Many more hellos and no more goodbyes.
39. My voice is heard, and I'm careful when I use it.
40. Natalee Holloway is found alive in Paulus Van Der Sloot's house.
41. Reunion with those with whom I'm estranged.
42. Increasing strength and strong will.
43. Never have another accident.
44. Those I've lost know how much I love and miss them.
45. I'll not always be the one... who if something bad is going to happen to, it will happen to me.
46. Rats, snakes, poisonous spiders reach extinction. Mice exist only in laboratories.

46 Tasty Delicacies

1. Veauve Cliquot
2. Pepi Sauvignon Blanc
3. DDFL's breads, et al
4. Patrick's flan
5. Dude's peas and mashed potatos
6. Dude's beef and mac casserole
7. KBJ's king ranch casserole
8. YMSP's tuna
9. MRT's chili
10. Sonic's cherry limeade
11. Hooter's wings
12. Wings n More (n Things) wings and beer
13. Tecate and lime
14. Chang's spicy chicken
15. Dude's filet mignon
16. KBJ's rocky road pie
17. DDFL's fried chicken recipe
18. RPG's chicken fried steak
19. Dude's corn log.
20. Cookie Bouquet's cookies
21. Anything at KL&W's.
22. Daddy O's Fifth Avenue Pizza
23. Margaritas
24. BarBQ Inn's fried shrimp
25. Flying Saucer Pie Company pies
26. Dessert Gallery's almost anything
27. Steph's Asian cole slaw
28. 59 Cafe's vanilla coke.
29. DDFL's corn casserole
30. Benj's fried turkey and anything else.
31. Pappasito's chicken fajitas.
32. Chang's lettuce wraps.
33. Marie Callender's key lime pie.
34. Pasta Lomante's shrimp scampi
35. Pasta Lomante's garlic cheese bread
36. Bellaire BroilerBurger burger
37. Myti Burger's you name it
38. Flying Dutchman's anything
39. Luby's fried fish combo with mashed potatos and fresh green beans.
40. Qing Dynasty's general tso's chicken
41. In order, the BBQ House (Nacogdoches) , Tom's BBQ (College Station / Bryan) and Pappas BBQ (Houston) chopped pork sandwich.
42. Taste of Texas filet mignon
43. Taste of Texas salad and and bread with apple butter
44. Kim Son's pan fried chicken
45. Catfish and fixings at Catfish King and the little place in Appleby
46. Fresh yeast rolls made by darn near anybody

46 Off the Wall Things About Me

1. I have a vivid imagination and propensity to exaggerate for humor.
2. I hold myself much more accountable than anyone else.
3. I'm not afraid to pony up and admit error and say I'm sorry.
4. I make many mistakes, but repeat VERY few.
5. I'm a closet psychologist. No... really!
6. I prefer Miss C's company to almost everyone else's.
7. I have an almost infinite willingness to forgive, if asked.
8. My preference is to listen more than I speak, but if I speak, I expect to be heard.
9. I have a tendency to test people.
10. I've fallen in unconditional love four times in my life.
11. I love the taste of milk chocolate and popcorn, at the same time.
12. I read the book, The Introvert Advantage, for the first time last year. And I finally understand myself.
13. Recognition is far less important to me than gratitude.
14. I've survived and overcome the worst things in life that are required. If I have no other consolation, it is that those things are behind me.
15. I pretended to be someone I'm not until 1995, at which time I gave up and became exactly who I am.
16. I accommodate pretense with reality in a 15/85 percent relationship. I do this to make others more comfortable, but also allow them the opportunity to grow, stretch and accept.
17. I try to live my life as an example.
18. I only have six regrets. I know what they are, and I don't have the guts to put them in public writing. I will say that I wish that I had cared for and loved beyond reason and situation, and that my timing had been much better . It's enough that I agonize over them regularly; I won't say more.
19. In spite of my rolling eyes in childhood, manners, ettiquette and life rules are very important.
20. My Daddy introduced me to two people, that in retrospect, tells me that he understood me far deeper than I understood myself. Further, he loved and respected me more than I love(d)and respect(ed) myself.
21. Of all the modern inventions, I like the telephone the least.
22. I always thought I would be "famous" among my peers.
23. I once had a dog who was JUST like me, very intuitive, and introverted. He gave me just what I needed, and I hope I did the same for him. He lived 17 1/2 years. We went through the highlights and lowlights of life together. I almost died when he did.
24. Miss C saved my life. And she changed it, too.
25. I connect easily.
26. I would make a wonderful mother.
27. I AM my Daddy and Mother combined.
28. I don't have a political party.
29. I find Frank Lloyd Wright to be equal parts genious and ass. For those reasons, I find him particularly endearing.
30. Up until 1992, I thought I could "fix" anything by hard work and prayer.
31. Up until 1999, I blamed myself for everything that went wrong in my world.
32. Up until January 2, 2005, I believed that I was less in the eyes of the Lord.
33. I could "fix" the world, if given the power and opportunity.
34. I feel for my friends as if they were myself.
35. My comfort, security and authentic self grow closer and closer with every passing day. (Refer to 16 above, and the shrinking 15/85 rule).
36. I am Virgo and Libra combined, (I was born Virgo, but premature by a month, thus intended a Libra).
37. I have distinct memories back to before pre-kindergarten.
38. I, once, re-arranged gifts from Santa under the Christmas tree, so that I received the things that I wanted.
39. I always took a bath, albeit a short one, when told.
40. I find Gertrude Stein, and her writings, personally inspiring and directly applicable.
41. I am kin to the Wright Brothers.
42. My relatives founded Moorhead City, North Carolina.
43. I'm a rule follower, to the extreme. When annoyed and provoked, however, I will tilt the scales to attempt to prove indescrepancies. (But I'll feel overwhelming guilt).
44. If I could change anything in life, I'd change certain people's hearts.
45. I used to view poverty as a disadvantage, but now I feel it's a badge of honor, courage and invention.
46. My pessimism is concealed optismism. I would much rather be pleasantly surprised, than bitterly disappointed.

46 Other Things I Love

1. Old fashioned hand written letters.
2. Spending time with Miss C.
3. Being told "I love you" by someone who really does.
4. Soft clean sheets.
5. Puppy kisses, and of course, breath.
6. Capturing the right person's attention and interest.
7. Gardening.
8. Jigsaw puzzles.
9. Throwing a successful party.
10. Comets games.
11. Bird watching.
12. Petting zoos.
13. Basketball.
14. Having friends remember.
15. Organization.
16. EBay.
17. New clothes.
18. Home improvement stores.
19. Common courtesy.
20. Handmade crafts.
21. Chicago.
22. Good company.
23. Fairness and equality.
24. Decorating for Christmas.
25. Buying gifts.
26. Ellen.
27. Figuring people out.
28. Playstation 2.
29. NTN trivia.
30. Sports bars, ice houses and brew pubs.
31. Design.
32. Vacation days.
33. Snagging a collectible at a good price.
34. Completing a project.
35. Crafting paper boxes.
36. Making jewelry.
37. Investments of ALL kinds, including time in friendships.
38. Friendliness of strangers.
39. Giddiness.
40. Finding an efficient solution to a difficult problem.
41. Comedy.
42. A good surprise!
43. Synchronized green lights.
44. Reality television.
45. Casual, spontaneous get-togethers.
46. Beach houses.

Just For Fun

Need cheering up? How about some Milk and Cereal?

Ellen Degeneres and the Emmys

Ellen signed to host the Emmy Awards again on September 18th!

"You know me," Ellen said. "Any excuse to put on a dress."

Photo by MSNBC.

Men...

They shouldn't be left to their own devices!

Presidential Campaigning

BOINK!

Florida Has Had Enough

Gone Fly Fishin'!