"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom" Albert Einstein

"A dame who knows the ropes isn't likely to get tied up." Mae West

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The New Christmas Sweater

My husband has always liked to wear cardigan sweaters.  For a long time that was not something I wanted many people to know.  They were generally put into the same category as ugly Christmas sweaters.  Now that wearing cardigans is cool I'll let the secret out.

I had been wanting to give him a new cardigan for Christmas for several years, but only this season was I able to find an abundance of choices and finally made a purchase.  He was thrilled with the new one and even threw out two old holely ones from his closet.

I thank the hipsters for the cardigan popularity.  Adding an old cardigan from the Goodwill store as an accessory to jeans and a t-shirt can make any 20-30 year old someone look edgy.  Top it off with a soho hat and thick black rimmed glasses and you've really made a statement. Add a loosely tied tie at the neck for even more awesomeness. Who knew that dressing like old men could become popular?

Now that they've started the trend, you can get new cardigans at the mall instead of worn out ones from the thrift shops.

Someone even has a tumbler photo blog of "Men in Cardigans."

OK, so hubby doesn't look quite as cool as the guys in the photo blog, and he doesn't wear his cardigan over a t-shirt, and if he wears a tie it will be worn properly tight around the neck.  So he's not a hipster; he looks more like this:


But, hey, who doesn't love Mr. Rogers?

Sunday, December 25, 2011

A New Christmas

My older daughter remarked Christmas Eve that the dining room table at her grandmother's house had different people in different places this year.

My father-in-law wasn't there (died in April).  My niece's fiancee was sitting in the chair that used to hold my brother (died in 2007).  My sister-in-law's boyfriend sat at the end of the table where one of the nephews used to sit. He moved to the other side of the table.  My mother wasn't sitting near the dining room door at the kitchen table with me (died in April). My spouse had taken her place and younger daughter joined us there.  Only a couple people were sitting where they had for 20+ Christmases before.

The traditional menu was the same, the food good and bountiful as usual.  Conversations were lively and merry.

It was just different this year. Good, but different.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Music Monday

A little country to start the week.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Tuesday Titillation

Dickman's Meat & Deli was in danger of closing due to the cost of complying with government regulations.  The owner, however, negotiated with city officials and was able to get the remodeling costs lowered. Tucson residents seem happy that Dickman's Meat will still be selling homemade sausages.  The meat shop is known for their good selection of variety meats and their own jerky.

The deli is owned by a woman, but not Lorena Bobbitt.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Music Monday - Ray Charles

Was it a sin that this down and dirty performance took place in a monastery?

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas Quiz Meme

The Christmas Quiz (shamelessly stolen from Chambanachik who stole it from Jane.)

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Both. My homemade egg nog is a decadent treat - cooked custard and whipped egg whites and just the right amount of alcohol - it's almost a milk shake. And it tastes nothing like anything you buy pre-made in a carton. If it's really cold out, a Tom & Jerry is a good substitute.  It's essentially a hot egg nog.
Colored lights on tree/house or white?


White. I live in a fun house with a bunch of freaks but I don't want to advertise the fact with carnival-colored lights.

Do you hang mistletoe?


No, but I did when I lived in the South.  We'd shoot it out of the trees and bring it into the house for decoration.  It was prettier than a dead deer or pheasant hanging from the ceiling.

When do you put your decorations up?
Usually Thanksgiving Day, but some years, like this year,  not at all.
What is your favorite holiday dish?
It used to be Swedish ostkaka, a type of cheesecake made from raw milk.  A soft, but firm texture,  it was served in warm milk with sugar and cinnamon.  We can't get raw milk any more, so there is a recipe now using homogenized milk, but it doesn't taste the same as the original.
Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Going to my great-grandmother's big old house in the country on Christmas Eve.  She had seven children and they would all be there along with all their children and their children's children. Norwegian egg coffee would be warming on the stove in a granite ware pot as was a large pot of oyster stew. The dining table was over-flowing with other Norwegian specialties including lefse (with butter and sugar) and kringla.  All the little cousins had to perform, either speaking their lines from the church Christmas program or performing on the piano, or singing.  After that, Santa Claus arrived with a bag full of gifts, one for each of the children in attendance.  He always came through the front door; never down the chimney.
When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Don't remember, but probably the same kid who told me that you get a baby by letting someone stick his tongue in your mouth.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
That's when we open ALL our gifts. Christmas morning is for sleeping.
How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
I start at the top and work my way down.
Snow! Love it or dread it?


Love it as long as it isn't a blizzard and I'm not out in it

Do you remember your favorite gift?
My high top white leather roller skates with wood wheels, with toe stoppers, pompoms and a metal carrying case.  Similar to this pair from Etsy:




What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Cranberry trifle when I have time to make it

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Norwegian and Swedish foods - pickled herring, fruit soup, cheese with caraway, potato sausage, plus the Norwegian ones mentioned above, and more.

Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?

When poked into an orange and used like a straw, yum.
Favorite Christmas movie?
The 1951 version of "Scrooge" with Alastair Sim

Saddest Christmas song?
Not a Christmas song, but close -


What is your favorite Christmas song?
Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride

Monday, December 5, 2011

Monday Musings

1.  My older daughter and her husband just returned from a vacation in Argentina where she also celebrated her 29th birthday. She was in Australia on her 27th birthday.  In keeping with the tradition of spending her birthdays in areas of the southern hemisphere that begin and end with the letter A, perhaps she'll spend her 31st in Angola or Antarctica. Hopefully not. She already got to see penguins in Argentina.



2.  Why is it easier to get the two pieces of  a 9 1/2 foot pre-lit artificial Christmas tree down into the basement after the holiday season than it is getting it back up the following year?  One of these days I might actually have some help carrying the darn thing.  In the meantime, I just grab the knot of the sheet wrapped around each 75 pound piece of tree and PULL!!!  The hardest thing is getting it upright to decorate it.  I might be short, but with some huffing, puffing, and cursing under my breath, I do have the balls to get it done.


3.  Speaking of the holidays gone wild, my 21 year old nephew has out-done himself this year and is decorating the exterior of my sister-in-law's home with 100,000 lights.  Yep, that's right - 4 times more than Clark Griswold's house  in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie!


Unlike the Griswold house, my nephew has added wiring and circuit boxes to handle the electric load. Here's a picture of his partially decorated house. There are many, many more lights beyond the range of this picture in the side and back yards that can be seen from the street.


Sometime this week he will have all the lights installed and then set to music so visitors can drive by, tune their radio to a specific station, and listen as they watch a flashing light show of red, green, and white.  The small town folk here are anxiously awaiting.

4.  I recently became addicted to these:


Small bits of pretzels coated with spicy pepper and large salt grains exploding in my mouth with every crunch...Fortunately they've been on sale and notice the "20% more" sign on the package.  How can I resist when the dealers are practically giving it away? (BTW: This is a non-solicited, non-compensated endorsement.) I know the drill; I'll get hooked. Then they'll start making the packaging smaller and increasing the price until I'm broke and on the street begging for money to support my habit.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

On the road this week

1.  If you want to turn right from the left lane, it might be a good idea to at least use your turn signal so I can anticipate slamming on my brakes.
2.  If you're in front of me, you want to turn left, and you turn your left signal on,  please don't pass 11 intersections and travel 4 miles before you finally decide to make the turn.

3.  If you suddenly come up behind me from out of nowhere and then ride my bumper for several miles, even though there were plenty of opportunities to pass me, I don't even need to confirm that you are talking on your cell phone.

4.  If you have a cup of coffee in one hand and you're applying mascara to your eyelashes with the other hand, I hope you have auto-pilot in your car or a third arm.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wacky Wednesday Wisdom - Happy Thanksgiving

"Here I am 5 o'clock in the morning stuffing bread crumbs up a dead bird's butt." ~ Roseanne Barr
 


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesday Titillation

There is always someone complaining about offensive art and because there is no uniform definition of offensive, artists are censored, museums are shut down  by city officials, and churches form picket lines.



"Do you have anything non-naked to display?"

A very clever artist found a way to publicly  present his nude photo after it had been banned.  He used a QRC.  QRCs (Quick Response Codes), in case you didn't know, are those black and white pixilated squares that are appearing on real estate signs, print advertising and almost everywhere nowadays.  Just aim your smartphone at the QRC and it takes you to the Internet where you can find more information.

In this case, the artist enlarged a QRC and hung it in the gallery.  Some people thought it was abstract art, but smart people with smart phones realized it was a QRC and were able to view his photo of a nude women lying in a stream with breast exposed.

Of course, the city powers that be eventually figured things out and are now contemplating imposing  new rules for displaying art.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Madness Meme - Part II

23. Do you ever walk around the house naked?
From the shower stall to the bath mat.

24. If you were an animal what would you be? Why?
Beaver because I'm always busy with my damn business



25. Hair color you like on someone you’re dating?
Any follicles left should be silver

26. If suffering an injury, would you rather be left blind or deaf?
Deaf - I could still read lips and all the good music would still be in my head.

27. Do you have any special talents?
I can multi-multitask.

28. What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?
Put the leash on the dog and walk right back out.

29. Do you like horror or comedy?
Comedy.  There's way too much horror in the world.

30. Are you missing anyone?
I just did a headcount and they're all accounted for.

31. Where do you want to live when you are old?
Someplace with a roof over my head and toilet facilities.

32. Who is the person you can count on the most?
My friend with 11 toes

33. If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be?
Albert Einstein - I'm still having problems wrapping my head around this time and warped space stuff and perhaps spending a few hours with him would make things clearer.

34. What did you dream last night?
That I was being chased by some unknown men. My legs were like dead weight and I had to grasp tall grass around me to keep pulling myself forward to get away.

35. What is your favorite sport to watch?
paint drying

36. Are you named after anyone?
I have the same last name as my father.

37. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
Currently it's a Metropolitan martini.

38. Non alcoholic drink?
fountain Coca-Cola with lots of carbonation - It's all about the burn.

39. Have you ever been in love?
Too many times

40. Do you sing in the shower?
I shower myself with show tunes occasionally.



41. Have you ever been arrested?
Miss Goody Two Shoes stays away from trouble when at all possible.

42. What is your favorite holiday?
4th of July - Remember freedom is a very good thing.

43. Would you ever get plastic surgery?
Only if I were disfigured or needed it to eat or breathe

44. Have you ever caught a fish?
Trout from the White River in Arkansas. First and only time I ever went fishing. Once I finally mastered casting, nothing could stop me. I caught more fish than anyone in my group. I enjoyed eating the fish more than catching them.  Trout with little butter, a few toasted almonds, a bit of lemon...mmmm!

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Power of Seduction

After reading the 23 page grand jury report of the Penn State saga, it is easy to understand the inevitable firings.  Read it for yourself and if you're not sick to your stomach before you finish reading it, there's something wrong with you.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Madness Meme

From Sunday Stealing:
1.Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work?
I've had my tongue on a lot of nasty things, but never a Compact Disc or Certificate of Deposit.

2. What’s the largest age difference between yourself and someone you’ve dated?Only 6 years younger and there was still a time reference gap

3. Ever been in a car wreck?A wheel came off a semi truck and came spinning toward my vehicle like a ball of fire.  It hit the car hood, then the passenger side of the windshield, and bounced off to the right.  No one was hurt. Thank goodness that's the only accident I've experienced.

4. Were you popular in high school?
No, popular people were cheerleaders and sports fanatics. I was, among other things, in the band, Latin Club and editor of the school newspaper so you know what I was...

5. Have you ever been on a blind date?
Yes, for a party in college. He's was drunk and I don't think he even knew I left within the first half hour.

6. Are looks important?
Only if you're giving the evil eye.



7. Do you have any friends that you’ve known for 10 years or more?
Every one of them.

8. By what age would you like to be married?
42

9. Does the number of people a person has slept with affect your view of them?
Yes.  If their P&L statement is showing a loss, I know they need more customers, need to increase rates, or find cheaper motels.

10. Have you ever made a mistake?
Once in a while I prove to everyone I'm human.

11. Are you a good tipper?
As a former waitress I can tell you we are the best tippers.

12. What’s the most you have spent for a haircut?
$25. Our cost of living is low here, even for a high-end stylist.

13. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?
No, they were way too old.

14. Have you ever peed in public?I've been known to urinate in public rest rooms.

15. What song do you want played at your funeral?Sorry, no funeral in my future.

16. Would you tell your parents if you were gay?
It's best not to live a lie.

17. What would your last meal be before getting executed?
I answered this a couple weeks ago:  Baked peppered salmon, baked sweet potato, fresh steamed asparagus, and my homemade coconut pound cake with fresh raspberries

18. Beatles or Stones?
That one is too hard to answer.

19. If you had to pick one person on earth to die, who would it be?
Too late. The person is already gone.

20. Beer, wine or hard liquor?
Rarely any.

21. Do you have any phobias?
Phobophobia

22. What are your plans for the future?
Live like there's no tomorrow.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Music Monday

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tuesday Titillation

"A 28-year-old woman in India came to her doctor with an unusual complaint: a sudden and persistent increase in her sex drive. She felt constantly aroused, often with no stimulation at all."

No this isn't the beginning of a dirty joke.

Most people wouldn't consider hypersexuality a problem, but, in fact, it's a symptom of a deadly disease and the symptom doesn't show up until it's too late.

What awful thing could be behind this seemingly pleasant condition?  In this case it was a bite from a puppy two months earlier who had rabies.



So if you're looking for a highly erotic good time, find someone with rabies (or a dog, skunk or bat if that's your thing).  But don't expect to be around too long afterward to brag about it


unless, of course, you've had your vaccination.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Music Monday - Tom Jones and Hugh Laurie

Music starts at 1:50

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Questions Galore Meme Part III

From Sunday Stealing:

41. What is a quote that you love?
I said this before, but it's worth repeating:   "A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others."


42. Do you think of pure hate as something humanity created?
If not man, then who? The Devil?


43. When was the last time you wanted to scream?

Sitting at a conference while the speaker read from the power point screen. I learned to read decades ago.

44. Do you ever at times see the world in black and white?
Quite often when I'm reading a book


45. Have you ever thought that cell phones are too obtrusive?
No, just some of the people using them.

46. In your life, where do you think the rainbow will end?
It will just dissolve into thin air.

47. What is something that you never want to do again?
Attend high school.

48.When was the first time you realized the world was small?
When I held the whole world in my hands.

49. How do you spend your time contemplating life’s mysteries?
I read science journals.

50. Ever discuss your political beliefs with people?
Yes. My voice of reason will never cease.


51. Do you care about the environment?
Who doesn't? But I think you're most likely a radical environmentalist asking a loaded question, and I'm not going to get into a debate with you and ruin my Sunday.



52. What's your motto for life?
Non, je ne regrette rien


53. Is progress destroying the beauty of the world?
Progress IS beauty.


54. Do you believe there is life somewhere else in the universe?
It's pretty big out there, so the probabilty is we're not alone.


55. Would you like to rule a country?
I'm not interested in being a politician or dictator. If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve.

56. Do you believe everything has a purpose?
Yes, a little Byrd(ie) told me so.



57. Is war ever for the best?
Only as a defense of our borders.

58. Could you kill anyone in defense of self or loved ones?
Yes, but I wouldn't enjoy it.

59. How do you react to people (Such as Governor Rick Perry) who don't believe global warming is really our fault?
I'd say welcome to my club.

60. Does love conquer all?
Only about 50% of the time. The rest get divorced.


61. Is euthanasia morally acceptable?
Only voluntary euthanasia.  Involuntary euthanasia might be criminal.

62. Is world peace impossible?
History has proven that it is. There will always be crazy, power-hungry people wanting to rule the world.


63. Is pride a good or a bad thing?
Pride is good; egotism is bad.  They are NOT the same.

64.What do you think is the purpose of your life?
to be or not to be

65. Do you believe in karma?
I believe you reap what you sow.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Music Monday with a side of rant

Yesterday morning I'm on my way to the big town.  Lawful person that I am, I'm putt-putting along at the posted 55 mph and suddenly they start passing me.  Geesh! The first one must be going at least 70, the second 75 or more.  Very soon a third overcomes me - this one perhaps only 10 miles over.  I encounter similar scofflaws any Sunday morning I'm on that road.

I am not traveling on an Interstate.  This is a road with intersections every half mile and often has agriculture equipment traveling on it, especially this time of year.

Now you're probably thinking that these clowns are just trying to get home for some sleep after a wild Saturday night that lasted into early morning.


You could be wrong.  But if you said these drivers were church-going people you'd be right. 

Yes, these people are in a hurry to get to church.  Catholic church.  I know this because a whole two minutes later as I pass the Catholic church on the west side of the road, the suit and tie perpetrators are exiting their cars and heading into a building with a sign in front that says "Catholic Church". 

It might be that they want to be first in line to confess their Saturday night antics, or perhaps to confess that they were speeding to the church in order to do so. 

3 Hail Marys and you're always forgiven in the Catholic Church.

Nope. They got it all wrong.  Not a cop to be seen anywhere. 


I only hope that as those church-goers drive the fast track to meet their Maker, they don't take other unsuspecting folk with them.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Questions Galore Meme - part two

From Sunday Stealing:

21. What was the last song you listened to that wasn’t sung in English?


22. One of our SS players generally leaves a critical comment on our memes. Which is fine. All's fair. Do you let meme authors know when you hate their memes?
By SS, do you mean Sunday Stealing, Social Security, Sunday School, Stainless Steel, Schutzstaffel, Steam Ship?  How can I answer when you're being so vague?

23. What TV show would you like to be on?
The Office.

24. What was the last video game you played?
Mario Brothers and yes, that was decades ago.


25. Have you ever been in a musical? If yes, do tell.
In junior high. I was in the chorus. We sang a lemonade song:
Lemonade, for a pretty maid,
Puts a sparkle in your eye like sun on jade.
and I don't remember the rest.
I did have the lead role in several high school plays and produced/directed a musical number for a variety show.

26. Do you follow your own style or everyone else’s?
How many times must I tell you that I'm not a follower.

27. What’s the last store you bought from?
Home improvement store for furnace filters, light bulbs, water softener salt and shelving.

28. In retrospect, have you ever let a person use you a lot?
My spouse uses me all the time for cooking, cleaning, laundry, and a whole lot more.

29. What are you doing two days from now?
I am not a clairvoyant, but the probabilities say I'll be at my office working.


30. Did you ever believe there were monsters in your closet?

31. When you graduated high school, did you let random people sign your yearbook or just close friends?
When you graduate from a small high school, most of the random people are your friends.

32. Would you consider adopting a child that had a mental illness?I'm too old to consider adopting ANY child.

33. Does thinking about death scare you?
Not death, just the possibility of suffering beforehand.


34. If you died, do you believe that you go to Heaven or Hell and where would your spirit go?
No, but I do plan to have eternal life on the Internet.  Do you know how hard it is to delete something off the Internet?


35. Who did you last write a snail mail letter to and why?
Sympathy note - people keep dying


36. Do you care what people say or think about you?
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

37. Have you ever been threatened?
Is a gun jammed against your forehead threatening?

38. Which side of your family do you get most of your qualities from?
I got the best and worst of both sides.

39. What was the last thing with alcohol that you drank?
I think it was a Tom & Jerry, but it tasted a bit mousy.

40. Have you ever kept a relationship a secret?
If I told you it wouldn't be a secret.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wacky Wednesday Wisdom - The Cruise Ship for the Elderly

"I'd rather rot on my own floor than be found by a bunch of bingo players in a nursing home.”       Florence King
I really don't agree with that statement.  I've been spending a great deal of time visiting a nursing home lately.  We have three of them in our small community of 4600.  There seems to be a never-ending supply of elderly here.

I have often compared nursing homes to cruise ships. 

You have a lovely cabin with a view. 


You dine with the other passengers in the dining room, or you can choose to dine alone in your room if you prefer.


 You can participate in a variety of physical activities. 


There are excursions to other destinations for food, entertainment, and festivals,

while at the same time you make many new friends.


The staff is always courteous and ready to assist you


even if you're vomiting or suffering from Montezuma's Revenge.


Each time you pull into port to take a little break from all the fun, a family member is there waiting with a hug. (And shame on those who are not.)


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Tuesday Titillation

Nipples have been in the news.  Seems so many women are having trouble keeping the puppies in the den these days, especially when there are cameras around.

Nancy Grace, the over-bearing know-it-all TV legal consultant, had her own moment on Dancing with the Stars a couple weeks ago. Although cameras were rolling, she swears her nipple wasn't on display.  It was a pastie or petal that we all thought was a nipple.  She's been taking lessons from Bill Clinton:  Sex isn't sex if it's oral and an exposed nipple isn't an exposed nipple if there's a bandage over it. Yes, that is the law's definition and that's why it's OK for strippers and beach babies to go topless as long as they have petals.

One fashion designer has brought a whole new problem to the legal system.  She designed a dress entirely made of cow and yak nipples. Apparently no pasties are needed since they are animal nipples.

And yes, it sucks.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Music Monday

A little more Bobby Caldwell left from yesterday.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Questions Galore Meme

From Sunday Stealing:

1. Is there someone in your life you know you’d be better off without?
No, that would be a complete waste of time to have them in it to begin with

2. Do you get criticized because of your body?
No, I'm just the right height or just the right weight (just not at the same time).



3. Did you kiss the last person you called?
No, but then I called my cat and she gave me a kitty-kiss.

4. When was the last time you danced?
5 minutes ago. Standing or seated, I dance to almost every tv commercial that has music.

5. Do you keep in mind other people’s feelings?
I'm an Empathic, so yeah.

6. If you have a hang nail, do you pull it or clip it?
I pinch it off with my fingernails.
7. Who do you want to forget?
I can't think of his name.

8. Who was the last person to send you a letter?
The IRS telling me I can e-file taxes again this year.

9. Who did you last tell to shut up?
Probably one of my brothers about 50 years ago.

10. What’s the last thing that you smelt that smelt bad?
I smelled smelt. Smelt smelled bad.


11. What’s your favorite cereal?
I may be the only person in the world who doesn't eat cereal.

12. How do you feel when people lead you on, but they don’t even like you?
I'm not a follower so I could care less.


13. Could you live without sunlight?
No. I need it for my photosynthesis, otherwise I'll turn yellow and the leaves fall off me. Oh, noooo.....


14. What’s something you know is bad, but you want to do it anyway?
Eat one more chocolate chip cookie.

15. What was the last thing you lied about?
My age. I told someone I was 85 and they said I looked great for my age.

16. Do you regret anything you’ve done in the past week?
No, but there's several things I regret that I didn't do.

17. What was the last movie you bought?
Why buy when you can rent or stream?

18. What is a sport you would like to do?
I would like to play tennis but it's a lost cause with amblyopia.
19. When was the last time you felt like crying?
April 2011. It was a bad month.

20. Have you ever wanted to kill someone (not that you actually do it)?
Kill, no; bitch-slap, yes.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Weird Wednesday - Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose

Here's where all your old electronics have gone.  It almost sounds like church music.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Getting Personal

Challenge from our area newspaper.

Name, age, town of residence
Diane  61, Paxton

Profession: Explain in one sentence what it is you do.
Hard to answer. I'm a Jill of all Trades and a Master of Some.  Currently I own an accounting/tax preparation business, and I'm Executive Director of a non-profit economic development group.

What time do you typically get up? What do you do the first hour of the morning?
Between 5:30 and 6.  Walk the dog, watch my spouse eat breakfast, grab a Coke, and visit my dad at the nursing home.

What did you have for lunch today? Where? With whom?
 a cup of homemade chili and a piece of cornbread at home with my spouse

Best high school memory.
Graduating.  I was anxious to get on to college and bigger and better places, but I've ended up right back where I started.

Tell me about your favorite pair of shoes.
BORN clog wedgies. They're so comfortable and they give the illusion I'm 5'4".

What does a perfect Sunday afternoon include?
Treasure hunting by attending an auction, flea market or estate sale

Was there one book you read as a child that you still cherish? Own? Read?
 1950's Nancy Drew mysteries.  I still own many.

Where on earth are you dying to go? Why?
San Francisco to see my older daughter who has lived there for six years and I have yet to visit her.  Sometimes life's obligations don't allow you to leave, but there's always Skype so I have seen her apartment without physically going there.

Tell me about your favorite pet.
They've all been wonderful, but Dusty, a miniature Schnauzer, has a special place in my heart.  About a month after we brought him home from the Humane Society, he got hit by a car, needed surgery, and was convalescing from a broken hip in the kitchen of our home.  I slipped and fell down several steps of a staircase in our foyer.  As I lay dazed on the floor, Dusty appeared at my side and nuzzled me.  Unable to walk and with surgical drains and stitches, he had scooted himself over 35 feet through three rooms just to check on me. He survived 5-6 years after that.

Have you discovered as you matured that you are becoming like one of your parents? Which one and how?
Physically I look most like my dad, but I have my mom's smile. The rest of me had to come from previous generations because, unlike my parents, I am a shy, analytical, less traditional, outside-the box, libertarian character.

What would you order for your last meal?
Baked peppered salmon, baked sweet potato, fresh steamed asparagus, and my homemade coconut pound cake with fresh raspberries

What can you NOT live without?
Oviously air, food and water, but the Internet is high on my list.

Who do you have on your iPod?
I don't own an iPod, but I enjoy every genre of music.  My music collection has everything from Frank Sinatra to Jimi Hendrix to Broadway musicals.  I do own a Kindle, but you didn't ask what's on it.

What’s the happiest memory of your life?
About 20 years ago when my husband, two daughters and I spent a day at Billie Creek Village.  We were having such a good time that I ran a few steps ahead of them, jumped up into the air, and clicked my heels in front of everyone there.  They laughed hard because they couldn't believe I'd do something like that in public.

If you could host a dinner party with any three living people in the world, whom would you invite?
libertarian Wendy McElroy, investment advisor Doug Casey, and entertainer Dolly Parton

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
From my two favorite quotes:
 "A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others."Ayn Rand
and
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." Mae West

What’s your best piece of advice?
Never buy cereal without a coupon and always when it's on sale.

What was your first job, and how much did you make an hour?
Filing at my family's business (all of us siblings started at the bottom) . I don't remember what I got paid but I'm certain it wasn't much

What was a pivotal decision in your career, and how did you arrive at that decision?
Retiring from the family business at age 55.  It allowed me to focus on areas of my career that I most enjoyed.  I had always planned to put in 30 years there and then follow my own dreams, which I have.

Do you have a bad habit? What is it?
I'm addicted to regular Coca-Cola, but I limit it to 24 ounces a day so I don't overdose.

How do you handle a stressful situation?
I used to play some furious songs on the piano, but since I sold it, I just get in the car and drive around in the country for some quiet reflection. Actually I don't get stressed over too many things.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sunday Stealing Meme

A. Age: Old, wise, and experienced
B. Bed size:  2 1/2

C. Chore that you hate: grocery shopping with all those people who move in slow-motion

D. Dogs:  Babbi, Pudgie, Hunter, Sid, Dusty, Lola but not all at the same time

E. Essential start to your day: caffeine and sugar at the same time via Coca-Cola

F. Favorite color:
Blue

G. Gold or Silver: Might be too late for gold, but silver may still be a good investment

H. Height:  Short and sweet

I. Instruments you play:  piano and saxophone but not simultaneously

J. Job title:  boss lady and janitor

K. Kids:  Yes and I joke, too. They don't call me Wry for nothin'.

L. Live:  No. I was pre-recorded in a previous life.

M. Mother's name:  Surely.

N. Nicknames: ####, *****,!!!!!!

O. Overnight hospital stays:
They force you to spend the night after childbirth even if you want to go home.

P. Pet peeve:  tardiness

Q. Quote from a movie:  "
I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' babies."   Prissy, Gone With the Wind

R. Right or left handed:
right except when I'm playing billiards

S. Siblings:  One down and one left

T. Time you wake up:  Dawn.


U. Underwear:  Is that a yes or no question?

V. Vegetable you hate:  I have yet to meet one I didn't like

W. What makes you run late:  Nothing. You know old people are ALWAYS early.

X. X-Rays you've had: on my feet for fun at the shoe store



Y. Yummy food that you make:
It's all good that's why I'm known as Yummy Mummy.

Z. Zoo animal:  Cougar

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tuesday Tirade

I don't know how many times in the past few hours I've heard the replay of our President trying to sell his deficit reform bill by saying "Middle-class families shouldn't pay higher taxes than millionaires and billionaires,"   From my 30+ years experience in dealing with tax issues, wealthy clients pay substantially more in taxes than the middle class.  I know for certain that many "wealthy" people would be very happy to pay the same taxes as most middle-class families

There are many households with incomes under $50,000 who pay no taxes and even receive bonus refunds (refunds in excess of any taxes they paid). Why is it "fair" that they pay no taxes? It is only "unfair" in the minds of some politicians when "wealthy" people don't. And who defines "fair share" and "wealthy"? 

Finally, a report exposing the lies of the President's speech shows up as a top story on a major Internet site today. You can read the article here.  The government's own statistics indicate the President doesn't have a clue about tax issues.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Music Monday

A little present from my daughter:

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tuesday Titillation

Someone with brass balls got violated.  News editor was on vacation when story broke.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Music Monday

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sunday Stealing Meme

From Sunday Stealing:

1) Who is the last person you high-fived?
High-five is so passe. I bump fists.



2) If you were drafted into a war, would you survive?
No, because if they start drafting women over 60, we're all dead for sure.

3) Do you sleep with the TV on?
Nope. It's too heavy.

4) Have you ever drunk milk straight out of the carton?
Only if it's an individual size carton, but I prefer drinking from a glass.

5) Have you ever won a spelling bee?
No, but I won a mathematical bee once and he taught me everything I know about finance.

6) Have you ever been stung by a bee?
I'm too smart for any sting operation.

7) How fast can you type?
Sometimes the computer can't keep up. Those piano lessons paid off.

8) Are you afraid of the dark?
No, dark chocolate is my favorite.


9) Eye color:  old blue eyes

10) Have you ever made out at a drive-in?
Best date I ever had...

11) When was the last time you chose a bath over a shower?
See #8. When there's dark chocolate in the tub. Otherwise, it's showers only 'cause I really like quickies.

12) Do you knock on wood?
Only when I want to see if someone is home.

13) Do you floss daily?
Depends on what it is I'm flossing

15) Can you hula hoop?
Yes, I have big, swingin' hips.

16) Are you good at keeping secrets?
My clients hope I am.

17) What do you want for Christmas?
Ham

18) Do you know the Muffin Man?
The one who lives on Drury Lane?

19) Do you talk in your sleep?
OMG - I hope not.

20) Who wrote the book of love?
Upton Sinclair among others

Monday, August 22, 2011

Music Monday - Back to School today

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wacky Wednesday Wisdom

Dilbert.com

Click on comic for larger view.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tuesday Titillation

The Triple Boost Bra is the latest ladies' undergarment to hit the British market.  It claims to boost any woman's bust size by three cup sizes.  All the renewed interest in bigger bust lines and hour glass figures is being blamed on Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks.



The pictures in the article (see link above) show a pretty dramatic difference in the model and it actually looks "natural."  However, the model warns:

"If you go on a date with someone and they really like your boobs, they’re going to get a bit of a disappointment. I think I’d rather they knew the truth in the first place. Don’t advertise in the window what you don’t stock in the shop, as they say."
Just one more disappointment after she takes off her make-up, contact lenses, her dentures, her hair extensions, and her Spanx.