A Little Night Music

Top 5 On Friday

2012-02-10T19:31:00.000-05:00

Top 5 TV shows with the best music

1. Doctor Who: Murray Gold is absolutely awesome with his scores.
2. Castle: OMG the music I've discovered from watching this show!!
3. Ashes To Ashes: 80s music rocks!
4. Life On Mars: 70s music rocks too from both version of the show. The US versions gets props for using The Sweet - Little Willy Won't Go
5. Chuck: One of the best things that existed on NBC, plus the music rocked! I'm already missing this show. Cos Zach Levi is one of my favorite TV boyfriends

Recipe For A Cold Winter's Night

2012-02-09T19:36:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 Sweat shirt
1 Sweat pants
1 Good book
1 Cup of coffee/hot cocoa or other warm drinky poo of your choice
1 blanket

Slip into ingredients 1 and 2. Grab ingredient 3 and 4. Settle yourself down on a chair or couch. Cover self with ingredient 5. Sip ingredient 4 and enjoy ingedient 3.

Some Random Thoughts

2012-02-08T19:54:00.000-05:00

~ Why would anyone vote for Rick Santorum? Ewwww! PA didn't want him as a senator, so now he thinks he should be president. If he gets the nomination..I'm singing O Canada!

~The New England Patriots are a bunch of sore losers and so are their wives...or at least one wife!

~ Have I mentioned Madonna's new song SUCKS!

~ Adobe Digital Editions is annoying, but that's the only way to get library ebooks to my nook, so I guess I'll deal with it.

~ I hate nights with 5 hours of must see TV. I also hate that The Tudors are up against everything I like. I'm never going to get to see this show unless I get netflix. God forbid BBC America do a Tudors marathon on the weekend. That would bring me infinite joy!

~ Hot In Cleveland is so pathetic, but I love it for Betty White. Wish they'd keep up with The Ex's that was TVLand's best sitcom so far.

~ This weekend the temps aren't supposed to get out of the 20s. Can you say...let's get lots of blankets out!

Madonna = Meh

2012-02-07T20:09:00.000-05:00

I finally got around to watching Madonna's half time performance.

Uh...erm...

You know Madonna is getting old when she no longer parades around in a tin cupped bra.

I just expected something more cutting edge.

Or at least good.

It looked over the top, but it was boring, and her new song is just freaking lousy. Other than the track that won the Globe for best song from a film, I haven't liked a Madonna song since Music and that was many many moons ago.

I wish they could have found some more amusing performers, other than McCartney and the Stones, I've found these shows to be really dull.

My Cats Are All Like This

2012-02-06T21:05:00.002-05:00

Depression, I Has It

2012-02-05T19:30:00.000-05:00

I've determined that everything in my life gets fucked up.

I can truly understand why people have suicidal thoughts. They are people like me. Everything I touch gets fucked up.

That's how my life is and how it always will be.

Even when I try to get things done right, they get screwed up.

Right now I just want to go hide under a rock for 4 or 5 years...

I Love My Library

2012-02-04T22:18:00.000-05:00

I'm so happy. I got my first ebook from the library today! Granted the selection is pretty slim at Waggin which stants for Washington and Greene Greater Information Network, but I found a few things I liked to put holds on, and one of them came available today!

Woo hoo!

Oh and the library has a whole cozy-mystery section!!

So needless to say I came home with two books because I couldn't resist

Oh and library receipts make perfect bookmarks!

Yes, my friends, I am that easily amused!

Top 5 On Friday

2012-02-03T17:52:00.000-05:00

Top 5 songs with animals in the title

1. The Beatles - Hey Bulldog
2. The Monkees - I'm Gonna Buy Me A Dog
3. The Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut
4. The Monkees - All The Kings Horses
5. Elvis Costello - Leave My Kitten Alone

I've Got My Library Card!

2012-02-02T19:59:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited to have my library card again. I really don't know how mine disappeared but it did. So I've got a shiny new white card. I even broke the new card in. I took our The Queen's Fool by Phillipa Gregory.

The Queen's Fool is one of the Phillipa Gregory books that I don't have sitting on my shelf! OMG! I know!

Plus I was surprised that we have 4 weeks to read the book. I remember when the loan period was only 2 weeks for old books and 1 week for new releases!

Mind you, I'll finish this a few days after I start it. I'm a quick reader.

Now to figure out how the library works their ebook program!

Life Updates

2012-02-01T21:23:00.000-05:00

My life is boring...and so are my updates.

~ Dad's blood count was low again, 10.1 so he had to get another one of those $3,000.00 shots! Not looking forward to the bill.

~ I'm starting to hate Chinese food. We seem to have a standing order at Unique China. Sweet and Sour Chicken, Hot and Tangy Beef and Pork Lo Mein. Blech! I want something different, but if I try to change it up, at least one person whines!

~ I long to relax, but sadly that just doesn't seem to be something that can happen. I'm always running around, and I never seem to be getting anywhere.

~ Still can't find the damn library card.

On a happy note...I've got some awesome books for free as long as I review them! Woot!

Yay Mitt

2012-01-31T21:01:00.000-05:00

I've been following politics too much. I already feel a twitch coming on and the general election isn't until November!

The fight to be the Repugnant...erm Republican nominee is probably the scariest bunch of freakazoids in this country.

That said, if I had to pick a freakazoid (and I can't because I'm a Democrat) I would pick Mitt Romney.

Why?

He's the least scary of the bunch.

Can he beat Obama?

I don't know.

I'm almost to a point where I don't care.

I don't think the current administration is doing enough, but I'm scared of what a Republican run government would do to our already weak country.

I wish there was a candidate somewhere that cared about America, but sadly I know that that candidate doesn't exist.

ARGH To Infinity And Beyond

2012-01-30T20:21:00.000-05:00

~ Dad got a $300.00 bill from the hospital for his Procrit shot. Going to be putting that on a payment plan or something. Why can't they just bill things out a little over time rather than 2.5 months worth all at once?

~ Someone didn't turn the crockpot on this morning, I had to scramble to get the boiled dinner..erm boiled in time for supper. Not fun.

~ I can't find my damn library card now that our library has gone high tech. This is so not fair! I want to read ebooks from our library!!

~ No new telly tonight, which means I have no real means of relaxing.

~ I need to figure out how to get rid of some of the things in my grandmother's house so I can put it up for sale. We need the funds. I don't care how much I get for the house, I want it out of my life.

Have I mentioned I can't find my damn library card?

Top 5 Sundays

2012-01-29T12:43:00.000-05:00

Here's another Top 5 list from Larissa's Bookish Life

The theme for today is:

Favorite Ghostly Novels!

1. Eve Bunting - Ghosts Of Departure Point: This was one of my favorite YA novels when I was growing up. I think I read this one about 20 times over the years. My copy is so battered that it is sad, but it is well loved.

2. Hope Tarr -The Haunting: OMG this is the absolute best Harlequin Blaze I have ever read. One part paranormal and one part historical. Oh and have I mentioned hot steamy sex with a ghost? Tee hee! Fun times!

3. Stacey Kennedy - Stolen Dreams : I love Stacey Kennedy! This is the first book of hers that I read last year. It was also the book that put her at the top of my must read list of authors! I love Tess and Kipp.

4. Neil Gaiman -The Graveyard Book: This list wouldn't be complete without this book, m'kay?

5. Amanda Stevens - The Restorer : This was possibly the best book I read last year.

The Death Of The Small Town

2012-01-28T17:07:00.000-05:00

I live in a small town. If it weren't for McDonald's, Subway and a few other eateries there would be nothing in Charleroi-On-Mon...well except for the drug dealers. There are plenty of those apparently.

We all have to have are Targets (Hey I do!), Walmarts (Not so much), and other huge shopping centers that make me full of rage every time I enter one, that all the little stores owned by everyday people disappear. That's damn frustrating. These stores aren't really a convenience. I know its been said before, but they are the killer of small businesses and small towns.

When I was growing up in the 80s our downtown was pretty awesome! We had Might's a magazine/newpaper store, Orange's (A gift shop/card store that just closed it's doors after 118 years), several clothing stores, loads of shoe stores, and a Murphy's 5 and 10.

Oh and Corning Glass Works was our main industry. Let's thank those silicone implants for the demise of Corning in Charleroi, shall we? They sold off their profitable glass works to World Kitchen so that they could settle the lawsuits from the wannabe big boobed bimbos and their damn implants.

Ho hum.

And from there on Charleroi-On-Mon faded...most of the store fronts are empty and when new business tries to come in.....it fails.

I think it is so sad that we have to drive miles out of our way anymore to do shopping. The only grocery store in town is Save-A-Lot, which while nice and budget friendly, doesn't work as a total go to for grocery needs.

At what point will people realize that we need towns to thrive? And we need businesses in our towns? Maybe when gas prices hit $5.00 and driving 5 or 10 miles to the nearest Walmart becomes too costly. What do you think?

Top 5 On Friday

2012-01-27T21:55:00.000-05:00

Top 5 songs that are just plain creepy

1. Elvis Costello - Psycho
2. Dickey Lee - Laurie (Strange Things Happen)
3. J. Frank Wilson & The Caveliers - Last Kiss (Why did Pearl Jam cover this?)
4. Boingo - Pedestrian Wolves
5. Siouxsie & The Banshees - Candyman

This Made Me Smile

2012-01-26T23:03:00.000-05:00

A Taxing Dilemma

2012-01-25T21:22:00.000-05:00

Sadly my tax return looks nothing like Mitt Romney's.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to do my taxes. I'd like to get them done ASAP, but filing scares the crap out of me, especially as I have that stupid freelance job, that has listed as either a sole proprietor or consultant..you know for that whopping $492.00 I made doing CD reviews last year.

~ sigh ~

If I do my taxes at H&R Block the cost is close to what my additional revenue is. If I do it at home, it is about 1/3 of that.

The problem is...I'm scared to death to do my taxes at home.

What if I screw up.

What if the IRS comes knocking at my door.

ARGH!!

I hate tax time!!!

I Want A New Drug

2012-01-24T22:14:00.000-05:00

OK, I don't, but the doc wants my dad to try something new for his COPD.

Daliresp is supposed to help keep COPD exacerbations at bay. It is a new drug on the market, and because of that I'm wary.

Why?

It's new, so it isn't really tested well. How many newish drugs do you see pulled from the market in the first 5 - 10 years? Lots! Some even after 20!!

The side effects though mild, diarrhea and weight loss aren't too bad, but for a man who struggles to keep weight on...and had issues with the other as a result of a colon tumor...well you know I'm just not sure.

Of course we want to keep these exacerbations from happening, because my dad never has mild ones...he has severe ones.

What to do...what to do...what to do.

I Don't Wanna Go

2012-01-23T22:37:00.000-05:00

My dad has an appointment with his primary care physician tomorrow. If he hadn't been in the hospital over the weekend I'd cancel this appointment.

I hate taking him to a general practitioner during cold/flu season.

I don't need him getting an infection from someone in the office and have him land back in the hospital again. It's getting expensive.

Until we can get the subscription for the ambulance, each trip to Mon Valley Hospital is $25 and any stay that is just for observation or if they send him home from the ER is $50.00. After a hospital stay they want you to follow up with your primary care and that's another $10.00 copay.

It is fucking nuts!

I'd go on about how broken our health care system is but I already sound like a broken record.

Exhaustion

2012-01-22T21:35:00.000-05:00

This was the worst weekend I've had in a long while. The weather combined with my dad's stay in the hospital kept me from doing anything.

Most of the time I felt like I was running around like a headless chicken.

Today was no different because the weather improved and I had to pick dad up from the hospital and get prescriptions and all the usual stuff I have to do around the house.

But wait...there is always a wrench thrown in the works.

Dad's oxygen machine died.

Yup.

I wonder if it was malfunctioning on Thursday?

My nephew and I had to lug the upstairs machine down, so that he'd have oxygen. Tomorrow the company will deliver a new until.

Don't you love drama?

My Day From Hell

2012-01-21T20:55:00.000-05:00

They wanted to discharge my father from the hospital today.

Uh...

There was nearly a half an inch of ice on the roads and the plow didn't come by until nearly 2 this afternoon. I helped a neighbor clear most of our section of 11th ST hill.

Then I tried to find my car, which had that much ice covering it.

The neighbor's son came and helped me get into the car. Then the door got stuck and wouldn't close.

It took 4 hours to get the car thawed out..and I had to call for help to get the door latch unstuck so that I could get the door closed.

Oh and the cold weather has sapped air out of my tires, so I'm going to have to stop at the gas station before I go get my dad to put air in.

ARGH!

Top 5 On Friday

2012-01-20T10:12:00.000-05:00

Top 5 songs that annoy the hell out of you.
1. Toby Keith - Red Solo Cup ( This song pains the hell out of my ears. Worst drinking song EVER...and it is an earworm to boot)

2. Ohio Express - Yummy Yummy Yummy (Someone has love in their tummy? No thank you...and I don't want to know how it got there!)

3. Katy Perry - California Gurls (And every other song in her damn catalog)

4. Lana Del Ray - Video Games (After all the hubbub about her SNL performance..this song has really started to annoy me)

5. Elton John w/ Lady Gaga - Hello Hello (I gave them the benefit of the doubt that this song was good and should be in the running for best song in a film..then I listened to it a few times! ARGH!)

Crazy Days

2012-01-19T23:37:00.001-05:00

Another ER visit for dad.

It has actually been 2 months since he's had a hospital stay...and only one episode of shortness of breath in the last 2 months and that was the result of a failed attempt at making rosette cookies.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers please

The Day The LOLCats Died

2012-01-18T19:43:00.000-05:00

Our web means more than lawyers, lobbies and lies.....

Another Vintage Picture

2012-01-17T20:57:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of my Grandma Anna, my dad's mum. I never knew her, because she passed away 11 or 12 years before I was born.

The first thing I thought when I saw this picture was "Boy does she look rough!"

But then, she had 10 children and lived in a coal mining town.

So I guess looking rough was the thing.

Having seen the photos of my dad's family, I am now quite happy to say that I look more like the Rehula/Wasicek side of the family.

Is that bad of me?

Probably.

Dad and Grandpap Guy

2012-01-16T21:16:00.000-05:00

This is a photo my brother found on Ancestry.com.

That's my dad and my grandpap back in the day...Like way back in the day!

He found a lot out about my dad's family that we didn't know...like our ancestors came from Ireland and our name was originally Gaw.

OK..anyone know how that is pronounced? And I wonder how Guy came from that.

All I know is it must be nice to be able to afford to be a member of that site! $23 a month!

Yikes!

To learn stuff that even our parents parents didn't know or care to share with us!

Perfect Weekend

2012-01-15T22:11:00.000-05:00

How do I describe a perfect weekend?

1. No visits to the MVH emergency room.
2. Actually got to read. (Finished 2 books this weekend)
3. Got the shopping done.
4. Actually got to visit the blogs on my friends list. I'm such a bad blogger friend these days.
5. Finished one of the two reviews on my schedule!

I think I did pretty good this week. I feel accomplished and even a little bit rested.

I'd Rather Be Reading

2012-01-14T20:34:00.000-05:00

I have two reviews do. One is do on the 20th and the other the 26th. I hate rushing through them during the week, so I always work on them over the weekend.

However this weekend I'm feeling particularly lazy.

The first album I have to review is by a Toronto recording artist. Her name is Dimple Sharma. It is new age-y and a bit spiritual in the George Harrison kind of way. Lots of sitar and tabla. Very Eastern sounding. Very pretty.

But do you know what?

I'd rather be reading. I just want to curl up under the covers and read.

I have so many books I want to dive into right now too.

Anything is better than listening to and then writing 600 words about an album most people haven't heard about.

However at least I get paid to do that. Not much...but money is money, right?

But I'd still rather be reading

Who's Comin' For Breakfast

2012-01-13T23:11:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe on Cooks.com, I think I'm going to try it tomorrow morning...or Sunday.

4 slices bread (your choice)
1 lb. sausage
1 c. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
6 eggs (Egg Beaters may be used)
2 c. milk
1 tsp. mustard dry (optional)
1 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper

Tear bread in pieces and place in greased baking dish (13 x 9). Brown and drain sausage, spoon over bread. Sprinkle grated cheese over all. Beat eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt and pepper together and pour over bread and sausage.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. The cheese will rise to the top during baking. Can be prepared the night before and refrigerated.

Top 5 On Friday

2012-01-13T19:13:00.000-05:00

Top 5 people you'd like to make a mix cd/playlist for (Share a bit about why you picked these people too, if you'd like!)

1. My Brother: It is fun to torture family members with my taste in music.

2. Father David and Father Jerry: I affectionately call these my two priestly boyfriends. Yup..I'm going to hell for that. I make them Christmas mix CDs...but I think it would be hilarious to pass off some of my musical taste on them. However...I'd really go to hell for that! LOL!

3. My bff, Jennifer....because she still doesn't quite appreciate Mika in the way that everyone should.

4. My friend Callie, because though we have similar tastes in music we always seem to discover different things from each other, so it is always fun to make her a mix.

5. My "other" mother Linda, just cos she always needs new music in her life.

No No No No No

2012-01-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

I'm always looking for new news when it comes to Doctor Who. I love me some Time Lord goodness. However I really hate when the news I get depresses me.

The Ponds are leaving Doctor Who?!

I love Amy and Rory...

OK, I love Rory...he was one of the best male companions the show has seen in ages. He wasn't wimpy or wussy or whiny.

I loved him, and I loved that he was married to Amy.

Now they are going.

PAH!

Plus from what I've read its a heartbreaking storyline? Oh god NO!

Suddenly I went from looking forward to a new series of the show..to feeling really meh about it.

Crazy Day

2012-01-11T23:28:00.000-05:00

Here's some randomosity for you:

~ My uncle isn't doing well. It looks like he's going to end in a nursing home. It is so sad. My aunt and uncle will be married 60 years on Saturday. What a way to celebrate a long marriage.

~ My dad had some issues today...nothing bad, but stuff that upset him..thus giving him a panic attack which we all had to deal with. Not fun.

~ Bought another space heater for the downstairs. Not having a working furnace is not fun. Not being able to afford a new furnace because to replace the old coal furnace would cost an arm..two legs and a few children I'm not going to have is ridiculous. So yeah...space heaters it is. Now do you understand my bitchin' about temps?

~ Started reading an absolutely great historical romance. I needed that!

~ Working on getting all my promotions posted on my book blog. Book blogging is hard work.

Must Listen!!

2012-01-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

I had the opportunity to review a fabulous CD over at mossip. I've not been finding a lot of great music lately, but this CD was different.

The artist's name is Adam Cross and the CD is called Sirens.

If you like bands like Matchbox Twenty, Maroon 5 and even artists like Ultravox....you want to give this guy a listen.

It is 10 perfect pop tunes.

Want to learn more? Go to mossip and watch the video for Dance here

Book Ramblings

2012-01-09T21:35:00.000-05:00

I'm really trying to get into Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth, but I can't do it. I keep looking at my massive "to be read" pile and I feel guilty that I'm wasting my time with this book.

Because I have a hard time abandoning books to the "did not finish" pile.

The problem is, I just can't pick up the book. It fills me with dread, kinda like Moby Dick did when I was in high school.

I've put Jodi Picoult on my list of authors I will never ever read again, no matter how highly recommended and acclaimed the book is. I'm done with her. If I finish this book, I deserve a prize. (Or at least a pat on the back)

To further illustrate how much this book annoys me...I would rather be reading one of the Twilight novels than this...

Have you ever had a book you didn't want to finish this much or is it just me?

We Three Kings

2012-01-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

Today we celebrated epiphany. Father Jerry got to talking about the "Three Kings"/Wise Men/Astrologers etc and that got me to thinking.

When did the Christmas star really appear and how long did it take for these guys to find the Christ Child?

Which of course led me here

Which resulted in more thinking, which hurt my brain.

I really shouldn't do things that hurt my brain like that. But it was one of those things that has always bugged me in the Bible...the wise men are only referenced in Matthew's gospel as is the Star of Bethlehem....along with the fact that the census that was supposed to have been taken when Jesus was born doesn't fit in the timeline...along with many other things.

ARGH!!

Hurting brain.

Must stop....

Prayers Are Needed

2012-01-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

My dad's younger brother is in the hospital with pneumonia. Things aren't looking well for him. He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago. On top of that, he's suffering dementia..though from the sounds of his symptoms, it is probably Alzheimer's.

It was through my aunt and uncle that my mom and dad were introduce.

Both them and my parents will be celebrating (hopefully) 60 years of marriage this year. My aunt and uncle this month and my mom and dad in March.

I hope that they have the chance to celebrate their anniversary together.

Love like that doesn't happen often anymore.

I hope they have a little more time together...of course there is never enough time....

Top 5 On Friday

2012-01-06T19:25:00.000-05:00

Top 5 albums you are looking forward to in the new year.

1. Paul McCartney - Kisses On The Bottom (OK..I love this title!)

2. Joyful Noise OST (Queen Latifah and Dolly...Life is good!)

3. The Phantom Of The Opera @ The Royal Albert Hall

4. Ringo Starr - Ringo 2012

5. New album by Gloriana? Hopes...

It's Been A Long Week

2012-01-05T21:47:00.000-05:00

It is funny how the days and weeks prior to Christmas seem to fly by at such a fast pace. Now that all the holidays are over everything is dragging.

These five days really seemed to crawl by.

I'm really looking forward to the weekend, even if it means 48 hours of absolute craziness. Which it is. There will be grocery shopping to do, decorations to take down.

Places to go...things to do...and none of them fun.

Big sigh

On a happy note, I bought a few books for my Nook today...cos I really need more books!

Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll be able to read for a bit over the weekend.

Yeah right!

Burned Out

2012-01-04T21:30:00.000-05:00

I've had two music reviews due this week and it has been like pulling teeth to get them written. I have another one that I'd like to finish over the weekend if I can stomach it.

My most recent review album is an instrumental piano album.

It is beautiful music, but I'm having a hard time coming up with 600 words to describe it.

I think I've mentioned many times over that this job has really ruined my love of music?

I really wish I could have some time to sit and just listen to music I enjoy, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore and that makes me sad.

Something that I've always enjoyed, has now become a chore.

I think it may be time to give up the extra $500 a year and take back my love of music.

Another Reason I Love Winter

2012-01-03T21:38:00.000-05:00

I had to go to the bank today for the boss. It is 3:30 and its snowing and I'm grumbling. As I slide my way down the driveway, I'm swearing a little bit more.

As I skid down North Avenue, I'm wishing I didn't have to go to two banks.

By the time I make it to the second bank, I'm ready for the looney bin.

Then I have to stop at the store, because with the roads so fucking lousy there is no way I'm taking my dad to Belle Vernon to another bank. I'm not risking life and limb to cash a check.

I get some groceries and start for home.

Holy fuckenolies, they didn't even plow/salt/do a voodoo dance over 5th St hill, which is usually the only hill in Charleroi On Mon that is ever 100% clear.

Me and Francesca the Focus trudged our way up the hill and there were a few times that I didn't think we were going to make it.

Think Paul Simon "Slip Slidin' Away"

Yes, risking life and limb to get from point A to point B is another reason why I fucking love ....erm..loathe winter.

Toss some money in my collection basket so I can move the family to Hawaii!

Mmmm Candy

2012-01-02T22:18:00.000-05:00

Behold the power of Chocorooms! My sister discovered this candy at the Five Below store. It is a wonderful Japanese concoction guaranteed to make you forget your sanity and shell out $2.99 for a small box.

My bff bought a box for me. I hadn't tried them because when I was at the store there had only been one box and I got it for my sister.

I kept this one for myself.

I will never share another Chocoroom again!

OMG! These little crackers with chocolate are fabulous!

If you ever get a chance to find these grab them and consume them slowly. They are meant to be savored.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T22:00:00.000-05:00

Well 2012 is here...and thanks to a bottle of Barefoot Wine I was out like a light at about 12:30!

I'm so not a drinker.

OK, I am..but when I drink I go to sleep.

As in...Zzzzzzzz.

I get really happy for a bit...then off to la la land!

Oh and today...Windows decided it could find updates on Vista for the first time in over a year! I've had to deal with my computer downloading 95+ updates in the last 4 hours.

If this is any indication of what 2012 is going to be like...I'm going to hide under a rock until 2013. (Which might be a good idea, because it is an election year...and frankly.....all the candidates are ass clowns)

On that note...I wish you all a safe, prosperous and fun 2012!

Two Things I've Noticed

2011-12-31T22:26:00.003-05:00

They show two types of commericals on New Year's Eve:

Diet commericals
Dating commercials

Meaning the only people at home on New Year's Eve are either fat...single or both.

Bastards!

Top 5 On Friday

2011-12-30T21:02:00.001-05:00

Top 5 musical things you wanted to get for Christmas but didn't

1. There were no iPods under my Christmas tree this year. (Sniffle) My old 30 GB Zen is getting a bit tattered and I wanted either a Touch or a Classic, but that just wasn't happening this year..AGAIN.

2. Elvis Costello: Apparently Diana Krall doesn't want to share him with me.

3. Concert tickets: I knew that wasn't happening...just as I know I'm not going to see my favorite band on April 2...because that's my dad's birthday. ~big selfish sigh~

4. Mika: I'm not sure why he wasn't in my stocking....He probably would have fit too! I must have words with Santa!

5. Justin Hayward and John Lodge..again..its the whole wife thing...DRAT~

Post Christmas Burnout

2011-12-29T20:09:00.000-05:00

I was manic before the holiday. I was on a baking binge. I got stuff done. I was on Cloud 9.

Christmas came and went and was overall uneventful.

Now I feel very blegh.

Not depressed, because things went well as far as people staying healthy and no one arguing etc..but blech because I did all that work and the 24 hours came and went and I felt like it was all for nothing.

And ever since Christmas I can't shake the tired feeling I have. It is like all the work I did last week has caught up with me and now I'm spiraling downward.

That kind of sucks too.

I'm hoping that New Year's is a more stress free or at least relaxing holiday. I just want to eat appetizers and drink lots of good booze and then sleep.

What about you?

Good Riddance Day!

2011-12-28T21:10:00.000-05:00

Good Riddance Day -- a day to say bye-bye to whatever it is that made you blue in 2011.

Where to begin?

I think the primary thing that made me blue in 2011 was my father's health. I wish I could say goodbye to his hospital visits and all the bills. His Procrit shots alone are $70 every other week unless his blood count is about 11.

Each ER visit is $50

Doctor visits, $10 and $20.

ARGH!

So I say good riddance to bad health! Let's hope Dad has a healthier 2012. I know it is a lot to ask for, but we can keep our fingers crossed.

Oh and FYI...extreme temps aren't good for his lungs..so we don't like temps in the 90s (I never did) and temps below 32 either. Plus with the age of our house..heating and cooling is damn expensive.

Waiting On The Storm

2011-12-27T19:24:00.000-05:00

Parts of my area are under a winter storm advisory.

Two words for the weather: Boo Hiss!

Thankfully Washington County isn't under the advisory, but I'm figuring my car doors will be nicely frozen shut since it has been pouring down rain much of today, and it is supposed to dip down into the 20s tonight.

BLERGH!

The only good thing is, the cold is only supposed to last 24 hours. Thursday and Friday will be back in the 40s and that's just fine by me.

We don't want it to get too cold. I fear extreme temps with my dad's health the way it is.

So let's keep our fingers crossed for more unseasonably warm weather. Plus when the weather is crappy, I end up losing time at work, and I do that enough now with my dad and his doctor's appointments.

Things I Learned In 2011

2011-12-26T21:59:00.000-05:00

~ I'm a really awesome baker. Come try my cookies!

~ I can cook for an army of 6 on holidays without going insane.

~ I actually enjoy cooking.

~ I'm strong in the face of fear.

~ I've learned the fear of almost losing someone

~ I've come to appreciate my faith again, something I never thought I'd do.

~ I learned TV and movies are seldom worth the time spent viewing them.

~ I've learned to hate doctors almost as much as I hate Republicans...erm politicians.

~ I've learned that I've reached that age where concerts just don't matter anymore

What I Did On Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T22:29:00.001-05:00

~ Went to church where the organist decided to blow out our ears by playing our pipe organ REALLY loud!

~ Made dinner.

~ Decided that no matter what I do...I always get screwed on Christmas....not in a good way.

~ Determined the cause for most of my grief is the wisdom teeth that have decided to bug me for the first time in 3 years.

~ Watched The Tudors...and said...Wow, that's a whole lot of naked!

~ Watched Doctor Who...and fell asleep through it..cos lordy that wasn't Moffat at his best.

So yeah, that's my Christmas! How was yours?

Merry Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T23:33:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful evening. I made dinner and many of the cookies for dessert. I even did some of the dishes.
All went very well.

Oh and no one is in the hospital or sick.

Truly it was a great Christmas Eve.

Here's hoping that Christmas Day goes just as well.

I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday as well!

Top 5 On Friday

2011-12-23T11:01:00.000-05:00

Top 5 ways music plays a part in your holiday celebrations

1. It creates a lovely setting in the house before company arrives.

2. It annoys the hell out of me at church, because no matter how much practice our choir has, or how many people come in to play fancy instruments (oh yeah, there was a violinist last week) you can't make a bunch of old ladies that think they are still sopranos sound good. (Let the men sing...cos they can..PLEASE)

3. Its what I give instead of cards. If you haven't downloaded this year's mix...check the tags and grab my 2011 CD card to all of you.

4. It brightens my mood when making holiday treats.

5. Certain songs bring back memories of past Christmases.

To sum things up, holiday music in particular plays a huge part in our celebrations. What about yours?

Tonight's Cookie: Russian Tea Cookies

2011-12-22T23:24:00.000-05:00

Please ignore the fubarred table cloth. I wasn't changing it tonight because the cats would do their best to shred it before our guests arrive.

Here's the recipe from Betty Crocker for this super simple, super tasty cookie.

Ingredients

1cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2cup powdered sugar
1teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
1/4 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

1 Heat oven to 400ºF.

2 Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together.

3 Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

4 Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.

5 Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.

It's Been A Day

2011-12-21T23:08:00.000-05:00

I spent about 3 hours in the ER this morning with my father.

Not with the usual COPD related issues, but with a common nosebleed.

OK, there was nothing common about his nosebleed. It was like Niagara Falls coming out of both nostrils. Yeah, that's the kind of morning I was having. I had to call 911 over a nosebleed, and then pay $50.00 to have him see an ER doctor.

ARGH!

Then he had to go back to the hospital, because today was his appointment with the hematologist for blood work and his Procrit shot.

What a crazy day it has been.

All of this started at 6:30 this morning. I'm so tired right now, I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Randomosity

2011-12-20T23:58:00.000-05:00

~ I found my very first Christmas mix CD yesterday. I made it in 2003. I can't believe I've made them for people for 8 years! Yikes.

~ Made the kolachy cookies..or most of them. There are now about 4.5 dozen in the house filled with raspberry, apricot or nutella filling.

~ I'm going through a lot of my reading challenges for the year from my book blog. I did well on several and on others I failed miserably.

~ Tomorrow is dad's appointment with the hematologist. That's always fun, but his doctor (who he doesn't usually see on these visits) is very nice and so is the rest of the staff.

~ All of my Christmas shopping is done. Yee ha!

~ My cat, Skimble only likes to play in the Christmas tree when I'm around to yell at him. Apparently he likes the attentiion.

~ Cutest pic of Sugarplum ever

It's Beginning To Smell A Lot Like Christmas!

2011-12-19T22:38:00.000-05:00

Tonight I made the dough for the kolachy cookies. My house is filled with that wonderful smell of yeast. Mmmmm.

Tomorrow, I'll roll the cookies and bake.

Wednesday, I'll make the coconut cookies.

Thursday I'll do the cream cheese dough cookies and make some Pochettes and the Apricot Hanukkah cookies. Hey! Any cookie is good! I don't care what holiday it is.

Friday night is the night for the butterscotch haystack cookies.

Can you just feel your hips expanding? I know I can feel mine!

I absolutely love the smell of cookies baking. The kolachy cookies are my favorite because they use cake yeast. I know it is absolutely crazy but the smell of the yeast is so comforting. It makes me feel like all is well in the world, or at least in my kitchen.

Sweet Niblets!

2011-12-18T22:09:00.000-05:00

Yes, I've watched too much Hannah Montana!

But no matter what...there's only a week til Christmas and nothing is going as planned.

I have so much to do...and so little time to do it. I did get cards done...and the mix cds. Trees are up and presents bought. So there's that, but it is the baking that I enjoy that isn't getting there, because I'm just so damn tired. I just can't get anything done.

Well, except staring at a computer screen. I can do that pretty well.

I guess I just have a case of the holiday lazies, which I'll have to get over or there won't be any holiday worth mentioning.

A little FYI...all I want for Christmas is a few hours of reading time, uninterrupted please!

Mmm Biscoti!

2011-12-17T23:24:00.000-05:00

Here's a little sumthin' sumthin' that I made tonight! Sour Cream Biscotti! I found the recipe on the Taste Of Home website.

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

1-1/2 teaspoons almond or Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in sour cream and extract. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture.

Line two baking sheets with foil; grease the foil. Divide dough into thirds. On a floured surface, shape dough into three 8-in. x 2-1/2-in. x 3/4-in. loaves; place on foil. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven. Lift loaves with foil onto a wire rack; cool for 15 minutes.

Place on a cutting board; using a serrated knife, slice diagonally 3/4 in. thick. Place slices, cut side down, on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Turn cookies over; bake 10 minutes longer. Cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.

Top 5 On Friday

2011-12-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

Top 5 musical highlights of 2011

1. James Taylor & Zac Brown Band @ the ACM awards

2. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert's wedding. (Another hot country power couple!)

3. Elvis Costello touring with the Spinning Songbook again (even though I didn't get to see him)

4. Duran Duran's Girl Panic video..which is super ridiculous and so totally them!

5. New music from Erasure, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Dolly Parton!

My Bloo Pod Of Christmas Music

2011-12-15T23:38:00.000-05:00

I have filled my little iPod shuffle with so much Christmas music it is ridiculous. Now if only I could have some place to go so that I could listen to it.

I put as many of my old Christmas mixes and winter mixes on Bloo as possible.

I really need to feel as festive as possible.

Why?

Nothing is going right.

I can't get anything done and I'm super frustrated. I wasted a whole evening because I totally fell asleep after supper tonight and didn't wake up until 10:30!

I had so many plans for tonight..that included laundry and updating the pod some more and my Nook. I guess I'm going to be scrambling in the morning as usual.

ARGH!

I think when I go to bed, I'll put my Bloo pod of Christmas music on.....maybe I'll have festive dreams...

An Episode of Argh

2011-12-14T22:03:00.002-05:00

Can't fry Rosette cookies around my dad.

That's all I have to say..

Off to the ER...

ARGH!

A Winter's Rant

2011-12-13T20:07:00.000-05:00

For as advanced as we are in some things...I marvel at how lagging we are in others.

It is freaking cold outside.

My car's windshields front and back are totally frosted.

I turn on the defrost.

10 minutes later..the rear window is clear...the front, which is really the most important of the two...Still frozen.

WTF!

So Detroit...why can't you come up with something that will allow the front windshield to defrost quickly? There has to be a way. You can turn cars into big ole computers that will do everything but drive themselves to the destination of choice, but you can't unfreeze a windshield in 10 minutes?

C'mon boys..You can do it! I have faith!

Christmas Mix 2011

2011-12-12T21:12:00.000-05:00

Here's the Christmas Mix for 2011. Sadly when it ripped it ripped to m4a and I haven't had the time to convert back :( So I hope this works for you.

Download

October Project - Angels We Have Heard On High
Nick Bukuvalas - Give Me All Your Love
Matt Wentz - Christmas Just Ain't Christmas
Matthew West - Come On Christmas
Carole King - Do You Hear What I Hear
Dolly Parton - We Three Kings
Michael Buble - All I Want For Christmas Is You
Neil Diamond - Little Drummer Boy
Andrea Bocelli - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Keri Noble - Giving You My Love
Celtic Thunder - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
Chris Isaak - Brightest Star
Straight No Chaser - Little Saint Nick
Cast In Bronze - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Gary Puckett - Medley: Away In A Manager/The First Noel
Nicole Kehl - Christmas Crush
Over The Rhine - North Pole Man (demo)
Jeff Meegan - What Child Is This
Carrie Underwood - Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Julieanne Hough - It Wasn't His Child/Mary Did You Know

Please comment if you take the mix.

The Christmas Mix From Hell

2011-12-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure this year's Christmas Mix CD is cursed.

First: My printer started printing a pretty rainbow through the middle of the image I picked for the cover.
Then I bought a new color cartridge, because after troubleshooting, that's what was supposed to fix it.

I put an emphasis on the word, supposed.

ARGH!

But wait, my tale of woe isn't finished yet.

I get the CDs burned..and every flipping time I print I notice an error in a song title.

I had to print the tracklisting sheet 4 times before I got one that was totally correct. For some reason, Nero likes to cut off the song titles when it transfers over to the labeling program.

ARGH!

But at long last the 2011 mix is complete. I'm not mailing out many, but for those of you, like Bilbo who enjoy them, I will be posting this year's mix in the next day or so.

Amazing

2011-12-10T23:35:00.000-05:00

Thanks to two little bags of change that I kept adding to, I have a little over 100 dollars to spend @ Amazon.com.

Yay for Coinstar!

Yay I can buy my nephews and my BFF Christmas presents this year.

Up until the moment I realized that I had that little nest egg, I didn't think there was going to be much in the way of Christmas presents coming from me.

So can I get a woot for unexpected cash?

I think I deserve one!

Top 5 On Friday

2011-12-09T23:02:00.000-05:00

Top 5 albums of 2011

Things That Make You Go Hmm

2011-12-08T23:45:00.000-05:00

How the hell does Sandusky get bail?

If I were the judge I'd do everything in my power to see that a-hole sit in jail and get his butt kicked and anything else the inmates can come up with.

I know its supposed to be innocent until proven guilty..but this guy is so vile, he makes my flesh crawl. The fact that Penn State covered it all up for so long makes the Catholic church look good.

The whole scandal makes me sick to my stomach.

Grrrr

Randomosity

2011-12-07T21:54:00.000-05:00

~ The Moody Blues are coming to Pittsburgh on April 2, which happens to be my dad's 86th birthday and a Monday night. Guess I won't be going. I haven't been to a concert in a year now. That makes me very sad.

~ Dad didn't need the Procrit shot! Woo hoo! His blood count was 11.0, which for him is really good! However at the heart doc, I saw his report from his hospital stays and I don't feel very good at all. In fact, I feel a bit scared.

~ It was cold, wet and then snowy today. That sucks to infinity and beyond. Have I mentioned I have a deep seeded hatred of all things related to winter.

~ I got nothing else done today other than driving my dad to and from his appointments. It is leaving me very frustrated.

~ The Penn State scandal is getting scarier and scarier. How did this man not get arrested before this year? and seriously, bail? I don't think so!

~ 8 year old boy 1, Michelle Bachman 0

The New Stove Cometh!

2011-12-06T23:37:00.000-05:00

I got the call this afternoon that the new range will be delivered sometime tomorrow afternoon. The old range is 60 years old. It was the only oven my parents ever had. It is a white Tappan.

They don't make em like that anymore!

It was the most awesome stove. It had 2 electrical outlets on the backsplash and a light! It also had two side drawers for storage!

It looks similar to this one only our oven door has no window. It is a shame that there is no one that can work on the stove, it could be restored, but with dad's health so bad, and there not being a rent-a-man store around, it will just have to go.

~big sigh~

She will definitely be missed

New Stove

2011-12-05T22:00:00.003-05:00

What better way to spend $650?

Buying a new stove.

So when they see some economic growth for the month of December...you will know why.

ARGH!

I could think of many things I'd rather have spent that money on...

Another Round Of Bad Luck

2011-12-04T19:32:00.000-05:00

Our stove died this morning.

Yipee!

I spent an hour at Lowes only to discover they won't hook up the damn thing if I bought it there. WTF is up with that. It is a freaking gas range. If I buy one..and you deliver and haul away the old one, why can't you hook up the new one so that I know it works?

Asshats.

They will not be getting my business. I'll be going to Highway Appliance. I may pay more at the local store, but I'll know the damn thing will be installed and functioning and that my house won't blow up when I turn the oven on for the first time.

I guess I'll be using the crockpot for the next few days until we can sort this mess out.

Oh and if anyone knows where the money fairy is hiding, send her our way, because I don't know where we're getting the money for a range.

Another Saturday Night

2011-12-03T21:29:00.000-05:00

~ cue Jimmy Buffett

I'm working on some cleaning projects, as always. I have the second Christmas tree up. It is a little 6 ft white tree with blue lights. We couldn't put the big tree up this year, simply because of the fear that we'd need the EMS people to come through.

~sigh~

That tree rivaled Father Jerry's super duper gorgeous creation. (Yeah...I'm still hung up on that tree! It freaking spins!!!!!!!!!)

I bought a beautiful (and cheap) dress for Christmas at Fashion Bug. Thanks to Fashion Bug cash I saved $20.00. I'm going to look like a present! It is a red wrap dress and I got a festive necklace and earring set. Woo hoo!

So all in all, not a bad day....it just feels like I've done nothing. However that isn't very different from any other day.

I guess what gets done, gets done. I only have 2 hands.....

Top 5 On Friday

2011-12-02T18:56:00.000-05:00

Top 5 songs of 2011

Oddly my 5 are all country pop. How weird is that? Even the new Erasure didn't impress me much.

1. Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night
2. Lady Antebellum - We Owned The Night
3. Miranda Lambert - Baggage Claim
4. Kristin Chenoweth - I Want Somebody (Bitch About)
5. Thompson Square - Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not

Computer Issues

2011-12-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

Ever have one of those days where you have every intention of posting something but then nothing goes right?

Yeah, that's me.

I've got Vista running on my puter but for some reason it can't and won't run updates ...and on top of it all I ended up with some nasty malware last night that took about 3 hours to find and get rid of.

ARGH!

I really wish I could upgrade my operating system, but if I'm going to do that I might as well invest in a new computer.

I do know one thing, if I do that...I will not buy a desktop ever again.

I'm Making A List

2011-11-29T20:42:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure I'll be checking it twice, but I probably should. It is time for the Christmas To-Do List from hell to take shape.

1. Clean living room so that the tree can be assembled.
2. Assemble and decorate said tree.
3. Get over the tree envy I'm feeling about a certain Priest's absolutely incredible tree!!!
4. Work on a grocery list for holiday.
5. Decide which cookies are going to be made and what items will be on the table for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner.
6. Burn the Christmas Mix CD.
7. Buy presents..though this year it will be slim pickin's
8. Buy wine...lots of wine.
9. Remember that it is not polite to kill people.
10. Enjoy the holiday

Italian Meatball Soup

2011-11-28T22:02:00.000-05:00

Here's a recipe for a great soup I found on the Betty Crocker website

1 bag (16 oz) frozen cooked Italian meatballs, thawed

1 3/4 cups Progresso® beef flavored broth (from 32-oz carton)

1 cup water

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained

1 can (19 oz) Progresso® cannellini beans, drained

1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 In 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix all ingredients except cheese.
2 Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours.
3 Garnish individual servings with cheese.

Christmas Tree Envy

2011-11-27T21:43:00.000-05:00

This is my Christmas tree, or rather one of them. I always put up a tree in my computer room, because I see it more often than the one in the living room.

I spent several hours last night, assembling and choosing ornaments for my pretty red and gold tree.

I was damn proud of my tree.

Then I told Father Jerry about it.

He told me to go look at his tree in the rectory.

So I did.

OMG!!!!!!

Father Jerry has a tree that I'd say was 7 ft....beautifully lit with white lights...and the freaking thing spins!!!!!!!

The tree spins!!!

My tiny little tree has an inferiority complex now.

Crikey!

I've been one upped by a lot of people in my life..but this is the first time I've been one upped by a priest.

Blast it!

A Week Of Thanks: Day 7

2011-11-26T23:15:00.000-05:00

Today's the final day of my week of thanks. I've found I'm thankful for a lot. Friends, family, music...answered prayers....a good bottle of wine...

Its the little things to that bring small joys to my life. Today I'm going to focus on some of the little things that I'm thankful for....

1. Starbucks coffee
2. McDonald's fries
3. Christmas trees
4. Good books
5. Hugs
6. Pretty clothes
7. Vodka (cherry please)
8. New ornaments for the tree
9. Snow that is pretty and doesn't make driving a bitch
10. Christmas specials

A Week Of Thanks: Day Six

2011-11-26T00:09:00.000-05:00

My pets: Sure there are a lot of them. I'm a total animal lover. I love dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters etc. There has never been a time in my life when there weren't animals running around my house.

Here is one of my little fur babies now

This is Gizmo. She started out as part feral, but quickly adapted to the life of a kittypet. She is now happy and lazy and sleeping most of her days away. She wasn't amused by people overtaking her dining room though!

Top 5 On Friday

2011-11-25T23:06:00.001-05:00

Top 5 songs that make you think about shopping

1. Culture Club - Mannequin
2. The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love
3. Madonna - Material Girl
4. Elvis Costello - Green Shirt
5. Dolly Parton - The Bargain Store

A Week Of Thanks: Day Five

2011-11-24T20:18:00.000-05:00

Today at 3 o'clock we got a phone call from the hospital. The doctor discharged my father! He got to come home for Thanksgiving.

For that I'm super thankful.

Oh and while I was up to visit him at lunch time I got to see my favorite person and I got a hug. So all in all it was a very nice holiday.

I'm truly thankful for answered prayers today.

I hope your holiday was just as good as mine

A Week Of Thanks: Day Four

2011-11-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful for some really good, cheap wine that is keeping my sanity because we took Dad to the hospital again last night. He has a "touch" of pneumonia and will likely be there for a few days.

So much for the "best thanksgiving ever."

We are now shooting for the "worst thanksgiving ever" or something pretty close to it.

I have plans of drinking a lot of wine over the next few days. Thank the dear lord for cherry wine

A Week Of Thanks: Day Three

2011-11-22T18:50:00.000-05:00

I am truly thankful for all the wonderful friends I have, be they online or close by.

This has been a tough year for my family and myself and if it weren't for my support system I really don't know how I would have made it through.

I send special hugs out to Bill, Mike, and Jean Luc my blogger buddies.

I send even more hugs out to Linda, Jennifer, Tina, Father David and Father Jerry...because without them, my mind would have wandered off by now and probably would never have returned home.

Friendship is one of the most important things you can have in this world and I'm really happy that though my friends may not be numerous, they are the kind that will always be there for you.

Thank you for being a friend.....

A Week Of Thanks: Day Two

2011-11-21T21:47:00.000-05:00

Elvis Costello: EC is the musician that I always go back to no matter what. I have loved his music almost as long as long as I've loved The Beatles and The Monkees.

Whenever the chips are down or I'm in an angsty mood, this is music that I go to. My favorite albums are Brutal Youth, Blood and Chocolate and Imperial Bedroom, though I have to say, each album holds a special place in my heart.

His music has really shaped my life, plus I was lucky enough to meet him two times.

I'm very thankful for the many years of music he's brought...and hopefully there with be many more to come.

A Week Of Thanks: Day One

2011-11-20T17:34:00.000-05:00

Starting today, I'm going to share one thing a day that I'm thankful for this year. Feel free to join in and share your things.

1. I'm thankful that my father is still with us this year. It has been a hard year for him health wise. Since last Christmas he has been in the hospital nearly once every month. It has been tough and a few of the trips to the ER have been life threatening and scary for both him and us.

I'm glad God has allowed him to stay with us, and hopefully he'll be with us next Thanksgiving and Christmas too.

This March will be a milestone year for mom and dad. On March 15th they will (God willing) celebrate their 60th wedding anniversay.

I am so thankful that Dad is still here...and mom too. They are the most precious people in my life.

Busy Bee

2011-11-19T21:57:00.000-05:00

Let's see...this is what I did today:

1. Got most of the Thanksgiving shopping done. I still need a few small things for the meal.
2. Treated myself to some pretty things at Fashion Bug.
3. Went to lunch with my brother.
4. Rearranged the set up of two rooms slightly so that we can have Christmas trees up for the holiday.
5. Vacuumed. (BLECH)
6. Made an awesome Beef Vegetable soup.
7. Straightened up in the kitchen.

I'm about to do some laundry....

I've been up since about 7...and I'm thoroughly exhausted.

Tomorrow I need to go to Walmart, and I'm going to make nutroll for the first time.

When did I become so domesticated?

Top 5 On Friday

2011-11-18T23:08:00.000-05:00

Top 5 musical things that you are thankful for this year

1. New albums by Lady Antebellum, Erasure, Nick Lowe and The Puppini Sisters
2. Great country artists that I really came to love this year...like Zac Brown Band.
3. The leaked video of David Tennant's farewell to The Proclaimers 500 miles
4. Discovering artists like The Gothard Sisters through my freelance job.
5. All the music on my computer that keeps me sane.

My Day

2011-11-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

~ Managed to get almost caught up at work today

~ Sliced my finger on a broken brownie pan trying to get a cookie tray for the french fries I was making for dinner.

~ Had a whacky dream that I was slow dancing with my....erm...priest...that is...Father Jerry....erm...this is so wrong, and I am so going to hell.

~ Could not even last 30 minutes at the YMCA....hot, sweaty me = misery.

~ Hit the panic alarm on my car when I was loading groceries this evening.

One word to describe today: BLECH!

I Bought A Roaster Oven

2011-11-15T21:13:00.000-05:00

Yup! That's the highlight of my day. I bought the $27.00 roaster from Target today.

Why?

Because my mother was sure that I'd kill myself making a turkey in our oven.

WTF!

I swear I did it last year.

No one died.

I didn't even maim myself, which is amazing, because I usually do damage to myself on our oven. I have more burn marks on my hands than you could believe!

Let's hope the roaster works well. It had some great reviews on the site...

While we're at it...let's hope that it arrives in time.

Getting Nothing Done

2011-11-14T21:28:00.000-05:00

Work = crazy
Home = crazier

I just want to disappear off the face of the earth.

I really need some time away from all of this..all of my life.

There is too much to think about right now and none of it is good.

Better Late Than Never

2011-11-13T00:10:00.000-05:00

My mind is a bit to frazzled for blogging. We thought dad would be coming home today, but things changed there.

My faith in the Catholic chuch is waning. Actually...my faith isn't waning..but my feelings about our church hierarchy is. It is a long story...dealing with our former pastor, who is still a friend...and the events of a few years ago...I don't know..but I want to knock heads. My mother got along really well with this man we all did...and he isn't allowed to talk to us... ARGH...I shouldn't go there...but I will shake my fist in the air at the stupidity of this all.

That said...I can talk about anything to Father Jerry, but he didn't connect well with mom, and since she's a shut in...well that makes it all the more difficult.

I'm babbling now....so I should stop before I say something that I might regret...

Top 5 On Friday

2011-11-11T21:03:00.000-05:00

Top 5 "medical" songs

1. Weird Al - Like A Surgeon
2. Thompson Twins - Doctor, Doctor
3. Bon Jovi - Bad Medicine
4. Cheap Trick - The Doctor
5. Oingo Boingo - Take Your Medicine

Dad's Back In The Hospital

2011-11-10T21:06:00.000-05:00

For those of you that might not have guessed it, we took my dad back to the hospital Wednesday morning, with shortness of breath and some chest pain. His heart was out of rhythm there was also some fluid on his lungs.

So they are keeping him to monitor his condition.

The word pacemaker was brought up...but we aren't sure how we feel about that right now, considering all the other things he has going on.

Wish us luck, and keep us in your prayers.

Another Day In Paradise

2011-11-08T21:57:00.002-05:00

~ Went to work...
~ Took dad to the doctors for his Procrit shot.
~ Teased my bff in the parking garage of the hospital...for those of you not in the know..my second bff is my priest. Oye vey.
~ Picked up prescriptions at the Eagle
~ Snacks at Dairy Queen
~ Drama on arrival home...
~ Voted for a bunch of losers
~ Ordered Chinese...

If this day doesn't merit a sigh...I don't know what does...

Where To Put The Tree

2011-11-07T21:18:00.000-05:00

It is getting close to that time of year again.

Christmas and Thanksgiving are creeping up....but Christmas has more stuff attached to it. The Christmas tree to be exact.

There's a lot of new medical supplies in our house this year....potty chairs, oxygen compressors.

There's not a lot of room for stuff like Christmas trees.

I have 2.

We usually do one tree in the living room and I do the other in my computer room by the window.

This year?

I have no freaking idea where in the hell the trees are going.

However, I'm not sure we are doing anything for Christmas other than dinner and church. This year has been so bad financially (I haven't worked a full week, thanks to doctor's appointments in over a month) that we simply can't afford it.

I guess figuring out where to put the tree in our house is the least of my worries.

I Have Mad Cooking Skills!

2011-11-06T18:55:00.000-05:00

I made my first jellyroll style meatloaf today!

It turned out beautiful!!

The recipe can be found here. I tweaked it a bit because I didn't need a huge loaf and I used cheese and a McDonald's BBQ dipping sauce on the top. I also used a meat loaf mix of meats rather than just ground beef. I think it turned out great.

Tasty Dinner

2011-11-05T18:45:00.000-04:00

I made the refried bean soup that I posted about here today. OMG! If you like tortilla soup, you will like this. It was so good.

I made pulled pork with a wonderful pork sirloin roast I got at Giant Eagle and did my own homemade BBQ (1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup ketchup, 5 splashes of Worcestershire sauce) and cooked it on low for about 4 hours and 1 hour on high.

This had to be the nommiest dinners I've made in a long time.

As soon as everyone leaves I'm going to relax with an apple cider martini.

3 oz Vodka
3 oz Apple Cider

After that...I plan to pass out on the couch for the evening and watch old britcoms!

Top 5 On Friday

2011-11-04T17:55:00.000-04:00

Top 5 ways music helps you get through the holiday season

1. Certain albums like Costello's Brutal Youth and Oingo Boingo's Boingo, remind me that "It's not polite to kill people."

2. Making holiday mix CDs soothes the savage beastie in me.

3. It gives me stuff to buy for me!!! I like presents...presents for ME!!!!

4. It puts me in the mood for the holiday...sing with me.."Christmas time...Mistletoe and wine"

5. It gives me an excuse to play "Don't Need A Reindeer" over and over while still looking moderately sane.

So Glad The Weekend Is Almost Here

2011-11-03T21:00:00.000-04:00

Reasons to be happy for the weekend:

1. 48 hours to get some of the reading done that I've been meaning to do. Dear god, will I ever finish reading, One Day?

2. I get to gaze adoringly at my crush.

3. I won't have to work on the accounting for 48 hours.

4. No exercise this weekend, do to lots of things going on at the YMCA, meaning...no parking to be had there...therefore Andrea stays at home!

5. Get to make my refried bean soup!

A Few Random Thoughts

2011-11-02T19:50:00.000-04:00

~ Re-entering a years worth of accounting = not fun. When it is for 2 companies it is double not fun.

~ Dole pink grapefruit cups = great but the juice is terribly messy.

~ The inappropriate crush I have doesn't care for cats. Boo hiss!

~ Discovered two easy sweet recipes for the holidays, Dark Chocolate Cherry Fudge and Magic Mint Chocolate Bark.

~ Sandpaper kitty cat tongues cleaning your arm can be strangely comforting.

~ Suddenly I'm wide awake until midnight. I hate that.

Yay For Freelancing

2011-11-01T22:05:00.000-04:00

My freelance gig netted me an extra $93.00 bucks this month. I realize that's not a whole lot of money, but when I've had to miss work because of my dad's ill health, it really helps make up for lost time, so to speak.

But this is definitely a woo hoo moment.

Cos basically like that Capital One commercial with Jimmy Fallon, "Who doesn't want more cash?"

I know I do.

I've got bills to pay and I've got loads of people in my life with birthdays and whatnot in the next month and a half.

ARGH!

Curse all of you Nov and Dec birthdays!

Here's hoping I get some more reviews, because I've not even made $500.00 this year from that job.

Big sigh