Well, I am back home after a whirlwind week in our nation's capitol. And - here is a surprise - Jeff came back home for the weekend too! We have not done much today except napped, caught up on some tv programs, caught up with each other, and ordered a pizza.
Notice what's missing? Trick or treators. I bought all this candy and we have not had the doorbell ring ONCE. BOOOOO. Literally~
Happy Halloween!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Garth is back!
I thought I had missed my chance when, over 10 years ago, I chose to stay and cheer on the Monarchs to a playoff victory to be in the football state championships (we lost), instead of attending a Garth Brooks farewell concert in Sioux Falls.
So when I read this article today, I was thrilled!!! Another trip to Vegas is totally in order because Garth just signed a 5-year deal to play at the Wynn!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33472758/ns/entertainment/from/ET
So when I read this article today, I was thrilled!!! Another trip to Vegas is totally in order because Garth just signed a 5-year deal to play at the Wynn!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33472758/ns/entertainment/from/ET
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Another post about Glee...I Heart Mark
In case you don't have enough kick ass reasons to tune in Wednesday nights - here's what you've been missing:
His rendition of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline made me feel all warm, fuzzy, and happy inside. Take 2 minutes and fall in love.
For the record, Youtube can eat up hours of your life. Also, rush out and buy the Glee Soundtrack Nov 3rd. NEW MOON plus GLEE plus 5th anniversary plus Thanksgiving at the cabin..................November 2009 may be perfect!
His rendition of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline made me feel all warm, fuzzy, and happy inside. Take 2 minutes and fall in love.
For the record, Youtube can eat up hours of your life. Also, rush out and buy the Glee Soundtrack Nov 3rd. NEW MOON plus GLEE plus 5th anniversary plus Thanksgiving at the cabin..................November 2009 may be perfect!
Shots, work, kitties
Since it seems like this week flew by without me realizing it, I am recapping it here.
1) Got my flu shot. The regular seasonal flu one, but even that was no small feat. My asthma and GP docs were out with no sight of getting more, as were the 12 other places I called. Turns out the same day my lovely boss-ola told me there was a clinic at work. Go figure. (Lots of stress for naught.)
2) Kept the house picked up. TOTALLY not my forte. I like to leave shoes everywhere. At least Jeff did not see my misbehavior. (Sorry honey.)
3) Played with the kitties, fed them, and in general loved them. I stayed up until midnight some nights to ensure they got some human interaction because I feel uber guilty about leaving them last week, leaving this coming week, and leaving again the week after.
4) Decorated for Halloween. Most of the decos were out but I finished.
5) Worked like a mad fool. In reference to my previous post about procrastination...
6) Paid bills, read 2010 benefits literature, and enrolled. It SEEMS like I spent a lot of time learning all the different medical plans (seriously, it changed a lot for us merged folks), when realy it was only about 4 hours total and in the grand scheme of decisions, I put a lot more time into other less-important purchases.
7) Grocery shopped. Only for a couple things, and mostly to pick up Halloween candy. I don't want the stores to be out of candy on the day of Halloween like they were last year and we were the dumb house that could only give out Nerds.
8) Laundry. Jeff, you're right, the new Washer and Dryer kick ass. Is it sad it has taken me 6 months to realize how great they are?
9) Cleaned out my car. Empty Gatorade bottles and makeup strewn about does not a good professional image make. Although it IS a Sunfire so it is almost sacrilegious to keep it up to an almost 30 year old's standards - it wants to be treated like an 18 year old's palace of freedom.
10) Had dinner with my neighbors...ahhh! What a week.
1) Got my flu shot. The regular seasonal flu one, but even that was no small feat. My asthma and GP docs were out with no sight of getting more, as were the 12 other places I called. Turns out the same day my lovely boss-ola told me there was a clinic at work. Go figure. (Lots of stress for naught.)
2) Kept the house picked up. TOTALLY not my forte. I like to leave shoes everywhere. At least Jeff did not see my misbehavior. (Sorry honey.)
3) Played with the kitties, fed them, and in general loved them. I stayed up until midnight some nights to ensure they got some human interaction because I feel uber guilty about leaving them last week, leaving this coming week, and leaving again the week after.
4) Decorated for Halloween. Most of the decos were out but I finished.
5) Worked like a mad fool. In reference to my previous post about procrastination...
6) Paid bills, read 2010 benefits literature, and enrolled. It SEEMS like I spent a lot of time learning all the different medical plans (seriously, it changed a lot for us merged folks), when realy it was only about 4 hours total and in the grand scheme of decisions, I put a lot more time into other less-important purchases.
7) Grocery shopped. Only for a couple things, and mostly to pick up Halloween candy. I don't want the stores to be out of candy on the day of Halloween like they were last year and we were the dumb house that could only give out Nerds.
8) Laundry. Jeff, you're right, the new Washer and Dryer kick ass. Is it sad it has taken me 6 months to realize how great they are?
9) Cleaned out my car. Empty Gatorade bottles and makeup strewn about does not a good professional image make. Although it IS a Sunfire so it is almost sacrilegious to keep it up to an almost 30 year old's standards - it wants to be treated like an 18 year old's palace of freedom.
10) Had dinner with my neighbors...ahhh! What a week.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Crack Spread
Ok, because I am tired of hearing snickers during various supply chain update meetings, and because the inner chemical engineer in me occasionally wants to burst out, I hereby dedicate today's blog to the 2-minute education of "crack spread".
It is probably not what you think it is - a plumber, a janitor, someone starring in a "special" film.
Really, the term is derived from the pricing difference between crude oil, and the products made by "cracking" the hydrocarbon bonds.
This pricing difference has a lot influencing factors and can be manipulated for gain or loss in many ways. In the world of futures trading and hedging, traders and refineries may sell the contracts owned of specific products while buying others, either trying to hedge their risk or turn a profit.
It is probably not what you think it is - a plumber, a janitor, someone starring in a "special" film.
Really, the term is derived from the pricing difference between crude oil, and the products made by "cracking" the hydrocarbon bonds.
This pricing difference has a lot influencing factors and can be manipulated for gain or loss in many ways. In the world of futures trading and hedging, traders and refineries may sell the contracts owned of specific products while buying others, either trying to hedge their risk or turn a profit.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Health Care Take 2
Ok, so I just thought of something else - if doctors performed less "defensive medicine", ie less tests and treatments for unnecessary items like a brain scan for a broken arm, does that mean that healthcare workers would be laid off?
Probably. But who knows how many.
Dear Mainstream Media: please show me the start of where I can find all of the numbers and studies and opinions I need to make an informed decision on what I think should be changed about healthcare. Please. Please. This is much more important than Jon Gosselin's latest love fling.
Oh, and for all who continue to comment on my blog: MWAH! Love you, many kisses!
Probably. But who knows how many.
Dear Mainstream Media: please show me the start of where I can find all of the numbers and studies and opinions I need to make an informed decision on what I think should be changed about healthcare. Please. Please. This is much more important than Jon Gosselin's latest love fling.
Oh, and for all who continue to comment on my blog: MWAH! Love you, many kisses!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Procrastina-shun and a little health care rant
I am such a freaking procrastinator. Ok, not really. It's more like things take way longer than I ever intend them to and my day just slips a way.
Does that I ever happen to you? Your best intentions of having a full and productive day are totally thrown off track by people, places, things (yes, nouns) that are out of your control and all of a sudden you think CRAPPERS!
As a totally unrelated tangent, I am still not sold on this health care thing. Because seriously, figuring out a way to get everyone insurance coverage, be it private or public or a combination therof of options, does not tackle the other issue whatsoever - health care costs have risen astronomically since the 90's. As a matter of fact, had health care costs ticked along at a respectable 5-7% increase year over year, the average American worker would have been able to recoup $XXX (insert crazy increased amount) in their salary instead of their employer paying their healthcare premiums. You will have to check here to find exact numbers - http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=391
Chew on that for a second. Instead of the Taco Bell on your lap which will send you to the doctor eventually.
Does that I ever happen to you? Your best intentions of having a full and productive day are totally thrown off track by people, places, things (yes, nouns) that are out of your control and all of a sudden you think CRAPPERS!
As a totally unrelated tangent, I am still not sold on this health care thing. Because seriously, figuring out a way to get everyone insurance coverage, be it private or public or a combination therof of options, does not tackle the other issue whatsoever - health care costs have risen astronomically since the 90's. As a matter of fact, had health care costs ticked along at a respectable 5-7% increase year over year, the average American worker would have been able to recoup $XXX (insert crazy increased amount) in their salary instead of their employer paying their healthcare premiums. You will have to check here to find exact numbers - http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=391
Chew on that for a second. Instead of the Taco Bell on your lap which will send you to the doctor eventually.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Pheasant Country
Today I am back home - my home home, in SD - and have a moment's quiet. As quiet as can be anyway, with the punctuation of shotguns in the distance.
The guys from Canada - 18 of them I think - rolled in to the farm a couple hours ago. They travelled all this way in what looks to be a really posh motor coach (not a motor home but more like one of those old-people charter bus things). Hopefully, they have fun, although I have heard they will need to "earn their birds" this year since the corn is still in the fields (so the birds will be spread out instead of congregated) and it is soooooo muddy and wet.
I love this time of year in this part of the country. The air is crisp, the dogs are barking, the house smells like chili and pumpkin bars, the fields are ready to be harvested...nothing says HOME to me more than this.
Sigh. Too bad I am leaving tomorrow, but I am extremely grateful to be here today.
The guys from Canada - 18 of them I think - rolled in to the farm a couple hours ago. They travelled all this way in what looks to be a really posh motor coach (not a motor home but more like one of those old-people charter bus things). Hopefully, they have fun, although I have heard they will need to "earn their birds" this year since the corn is still in the fields (so the birds will be spread out instead of congregated) and it is soooooo muddy and wet.
I love this time of year in this part of the country. The air is crisp, the dogs are barking, the house smells like chili and pumpkin bars, the fields are ready to be harvested...nothing says HOME to me more than this.
Sigh. Too bad I am leaving tomorrow, but I am extremely grateful to be here today.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Nort DaKOHta
Tomorrow is my big trip to FARGO!!!! Can't wait to see my super awesome lifetime friends, Emily and Marne, after I get there. I have a day and a half of work to do upon arrival but I guarantee I will not just work - we will have fun once we meet up!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
My favorite kids books
I am excited to see the "Where the Wild Things Are" movie. Anyone who knows me, knows I love to read, and have always loved to read, and indeed spent a lot of my childhood "play" hours reading a book rather than sniffling from allergies outside.
So in honor of my childhood, here are some of my favorite kid's books ~
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Cendak
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
The Berentein Bears!
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch (remember mom? "love you forever, like you for always...")
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
All Babysitters Club books by Ann M. Martin
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (yea boxcar stew!)
Nancy Drew books
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlin
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Compiling this list today was totally nostalgic - like remembering old and very beloved friends.
Ok compadres - what did I miss off my list? And what are your favorites?
So in honor of my childhood, here are some of my favorite kid's books ~
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Cendak
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
The Berentein Bears!
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch (remember mom? "love you forever, like you for always...")
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
All Babysitters Club books by Ann M. Martin
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (yea boxcar stew!)
Nancy Drew books
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlin
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Compiling this list today was totally nostalgic - like remembering old and very beloved friends.
Ok compadres - what did I miss off my list? And what are your favorites?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Great Georgia Airshow
Well, it's after 7pm and we have just spent the past 7 hours outside at the Great Georgia Airshow! We drove down to Peachtree City earlier today, rode a cheesebox shuttle around noon to Falcon Field, and watched some pretty awesome aviation feats.
Jeff is going to assist me in remembering everything we saw - even with the program we bought about all I know is we saw a lout of loud, fast, and really acrobatic stuff!
My favorite act was called the Red Eagle Biplanes - I swear they almost crashed into each other a few times - on purpose.
We also saw demos of an
- F18 Hornet Strike Fighter which moved so fast it vaporized the water droplets in the air and was soooo noisy
- a Harrier jet that moves like a hovercraft and takes off like a helicopter
- a A10 Thunderbold Warthog which simulated bombing and shooting the crowd
- a Black Hawk helicopter
- lots of WWII vintage aircrafts
- and a little plane that landed on the world's smallest airstrip - the top of a moving pickup truck.
We had a ton of fun, spent more money than we meant to, and came home with a sunburn in October!
Jeff is going to assist me in remembering everything we saw - even with the program we bought about all I know is we saw a lout of loud, fast, and really acrobatic stuff!
My favorite act was called the Red Eagle Biplanes - I swear they almost crashed into each other a few times - on purpose.
We also saw demos of an
- F18 Hornet Strike Fighter which moved so fast it vaporized the water droplets in the air and was soooo noisy
- a Harrier jet that moves like a hovercraft and takes off like a helicopter
- a A10 Thunderbold Warthog which simulated bombing and shooting the crowd
- a Black Hawk helicopter
- lots of WWII vintage aircrafts
- and a little plane that landed on the world's smallest airstrip - the top of a moving pickup truck.
We had a ton of fun, spent more money than we meant to, and came home with a sunburn in October!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Another food post
I am loving this pretzel crisp and hummus combo for my lunchbox:
Today I have the roasted red pepper and it is some of the best hummus I've had (except for the kind at the Israeli restaurant on the east bank of the University of Minnesota campus. Amy, remember your falafel experience??? hahahaha)...
The coolest part it they are individually compartmentalized so as not to take up a lot of space. Very handy. (But not very environmentally friendly. I know. I am a walking contradiction in more ways than one.)
Just be careful not to drop the whole thing on the floor before you open it, or let it rattle around your purse - the pretzel crisps will break.
Today I have the roasted red pepper and it is some of the best hummus I've had (except for the kind at the Israeli restaurant on the east bank of the University of Minnesota campus. Amy, remember your falafel experience??? hahahaha)...
The coolest part it they are individually compartmentalized so as not to take up a lot of space. Very handy. (But not very environmentally friendly. I know. I am a walking contradiction in more ways than one.)
Just be careful not to drop the whole thing on the floor before you open it, or let it rattle around your purse - the pretzel crisps will break.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Baby carrots
Did you know that baby carrots are just regular carrots cut to a convenient size? I wonder how wasteful that is.
Oh, and the Twins won last night. I only hope they are not slaughtered tonight (6pm EST on TBS).
Oh, and the Twins won last night. I only hope they are not slaughtered tonight (6pm EST on TBS).
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thoughts in Detroit
The Detroit Free Press has a lot to talk about.
Or at least they SHOULD!
Or at least they SHOULD!
1) Cabrera comes home drunk, beats up wife, goes 0 for 5 with the
title on the line (ok the last part is how I hope it goes tonight)
2) Rick Porcello has it all riding on his young shoulders tonight.
Seriously, let me tell you what other 20 year olds are doing with
their lives. It ain't national tv, that's for sure (and the amazing
race doesn't count)
3) Brett Favre in purple. What a game.
4) Michigan State beat Michigan which was crazy.
5) Chrysler's new Italian CEO will finally ditch Dodge cars (my
prediction only). After spinning off the Dodge Ram to be its own bad
ass self, names like Avenger will disappear. (Because seriously, name
one time you have even seen this car being driven around. I didn't
think so.
Oh, and today I am at my new allergy and asthma doctor. They told me I
had met my deductible (big surprise) but am able to pay my 20 percent
today, which I fully anticipate being upwards of $400. And that is
WITH my good insurance coverage - so why so expensive in the first
place??? Please, Mr President, do something!
--
Sent from my mobile device
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
GO TWINS!!!
I love baseball. Not in the I-have-watched-every-game-and-know-every-stat way, but in these ways:
1. My team is the Twins, and I love them always. No matter what.
2. I enthusiastically watch the Twins play when possible although I don't see probably more than 5 or 6 entire games a season (and I bet that will change now that we're southerners). But, I could pick out the FSNorth sports announcers voices from anywhere.
3. I also love watching little kids play. And high schoolers. And college. And amateur. Any team. Any time. Softball, t-ball, or baseball.
4. Baseball games mean at least one hot dog and a Fun Dip. Who doesn't love that?
5. I will watch just about any team in person if I have tickets. And this weekend, we DO!!! To the Braves game :) Look for me on TV!
That being said, keep your eyes on the Twinkies this weekend: To earn the division outright, this weekend the Twins would have to sweep the Royals while the White Sox would need to sweep the Tigers at Comerica Park. To force a one-game tiebreaker for the division title, the Twins would have to sweep Kansas City and Detroit would have to lose two of three, or Minnesota would need to win two of three and have Chicago sweep the Tigers.
Start SING-ING...we're gonna win, Twins, we're gonna score. We're gonna win, Twins, watch that baseball soar! Crack out a home run, shout a hip-hoo-ray! CHEER FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS TODAY!
1. My team is the Twins, and I love them always. No matter what.
2. I enthusiastically watch the Twins play when possible although I don't see probably more than 5 or 6 entire games a season (and I bet that will change now that we're southerners). But, I could pick out the FSNorth sports announcers voices from anywhere.
3. I also love watching little kids play. And high schoolers. And college. And amateur. Any team. Any time. Softball, t-ball, or baseball.
4. Baseball games mean at least one hot dog and a Fun Dip. Who doesn't love that?
5. I will watch just about any team in person if I have tickets. And this weekend, we DO!!! To the Braves game :) Look for me on TV!
That being said, keep your eyes on the Twinkies this weekend: To earn the division outright, this weekend the Twins would have to sweep the Royals while the White Sox would need to sweep the Tigers at Comerica Park. To force a one-game tiebreaker for the division title, the Twins would have to sweep Kansas City and Detroit would have to lose two of three, or Minnesota would need to win two of three and have Chicago sweep the Tigers.
Start SING-ING...we're gonna win, Twins, we're gonna score. We're gonna win, Twins, watch that baseball soar! Crack out a home run, shout a hip-hoo-ray! CHEER FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS TODAY!
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