Sunday, August 30, 2009

Tri-Color Pesto Pasta Salad

YUMM-O! I made this pasta salad for a BBQ that we went to yesterday. When I asked my husband if he tried it he said "you made that"? That's better than any pasta salad you've made before! So, I guess he really liked it! In fact, we're having it with hamburgers in a couple of weeks for his birthday dinner!

Of course I got the recipe from the Tastefully Simple website! Check it out...

Tri-Color Pesto Pasta Salad
Submitted by Michee Olson (NC)

Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Dried Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. water
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. diced cucumber
15 - 20 diced cherry tomatoes
8 oz. prepared tri-color rotini pasta

Directions
Prepare Dried Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix as directed on jar wtih oil and water; cool completely. Add pesto to remaining ingredients; chill until served. Makes 4-6 servings.

Friday, August 28, 2009

What is wrong with people?!

I've got another post that I started like this one day - What is wrong with people!? I am here at work & CNN is on the TV all day (yea, it gets really old seeing the same stories ALL day long and all of the depressing news from around the world ALL day long....) Anyways, this guy really got me today!

Steven Anderson - Pastor of Faithful World Baptist Church
Seems that this man missed the whole boat on God's word. I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to hate people and we're definately not supposed to wsth death upon them. What a cookey guy! He's saying "I'm gonna pray he (Obama) dies and goes to hell". What is wrong with people!? I may not agree with Obama's views and I don't want him in there running our country as he is, but I certainly don't wish him any ill will like this fella!

WOW...charma man, look out, you're gonna get bit in the butt someday!

The Last of The Kennedy Dynasty

Let me start by saying that I don't wish Cancer on anyone, and I am very sorry for what he went through with his cancer and feel for his family as they are feeling his absense and missing him. BUT, I had been wondering all week why people were so in awe of him as I had been hearing stories of infidelity and the whole thinking in my head why didn't he try to get her out of the car? You'd think that as soon as he got out, he'd of been trying to find her. I don't know. I also haven't even been in a crisis like that so I don't know how I'd react either. But for sure if you were drunk, you wouldn't be in your right mind anyways.

As soon as his cancer was detected, I noticed the immediate attempt at the "canonization" of old Teddy Kennedy by the mainstream media. They are saying what a "great American" he is. I say, let's get a couple things clear & not twist the facts to change the real history.

1. He was caught cheating at Harvard when he attended it. He was expelled twice, once for cheating on a test, and once for paying a classmate to cheat for him.

2. While expelled, Kennedy enlisted in the Army, but mistakenly signed up for four years instead of two. Oops! The man can't count to four! His father, Joseph P. Kennedy, former U.S. Ambassador to England (a step up from bootlegging liquor into the US from Canada during prohibition), pulled the necessary strings to have his
enlistment shortened to two years, and to ensure that he served in Europe, not
Korea , where a war was raging. No preferential treatment for him! (like he
charged that President Bush received).

3. Kennedy was assigned to Paris, never advanced beyond the rank of Private, and returned to Harvard upon being discharged. Imagine a person of his "education" NEVER advancing past the rank of Private!

4. While attending law school at the University of Virginia, he was cited for reckless driving four times,including once when he was clocked driving 90 miles per hour in a residential neighborhood with his headlights off after dark. Yet his Virginia driver's license was never revoked. Coincidentally, he passed the bar exam in 1959. Amazing!

5. In 1964, he was seriously injured in a plane crash and hospitalized for several months. Test results done by the hospital at the time he was admitted had shown he was legally intoxicated. The results of those tests remained a "state secret" until in the 1980's when the report was unsealed. Didn't hear about that from the unbiased media, did we?

6. On July 19, 1969, Kennedy attended a party on Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts . At about 11:00 PM, he borrowed his chauffeur's keys to his Oldsmobile limousine and offered to give a ride home to Mary Jo Kopechne, a
campaign worker. Leaving the island via an unlit bridge with no guard rail, Kennedy steered the car off the bridge, flipped,and into Poucha Pond.

7. He swam to shore and walked back to the party passing several houses and a fire station. Two friends then returned with him to the scene of the accident. According to their later testimony, they told him what he already knew - that he was required by law to immediately report the accident to the authorities. Instead Kennedy made
his way to his hotel, called his lawyer, and went to sleep. Kennedy called the police the next morning and by then the wreck had already been discovered. Before dying Kopechne had scratched at the upholstered floor above her head in the upside-down car. The Kennedy family began "calling in favors", ensuring that any inquiry would be contained. Her corpse was whisked out-of-state to her family before an autopsy could be conducted. Further details are uncertain, but after the accident Kennedy says he repeatedly dove under the water trying to rescue Kopechne and he didn't call police because he was in a state of shock. It is widely assumed Kennedy was drunk, and he held off calling police in hopes that his family could fix the problem overnight. Since the accident Kennedy's "political enemies" have referred to him as the distinguished Senator from Chappaquiddick. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, and was given a SUSPENDED SENTENCE OF TWO MONTHS. Kopechne's family received a small payout from the Kennedy's insurance policy and never sued. There was later an effort to have her body exhumed and autopsied, but her family successfully fought against this in court, and Kennedy's family paid their attorney's bills... a "token of friendship"?

8. Kennedy has held his Senate seat for more than forty years, but considering his longevity, his accomplishments seem scant. He authored or argued for legislation that ensured a variety of civil rights, increased the minimum wage in 1981, made access to health care easier for the indigent, funded Meals on Wheels for fixed-income seniors, and is widely held as the "standard-bearer for liberalism". In his very first Senate roll he was the floor manager for the bill that turned U.S.immigration policy upside down and opened the floodgate for immigrants from third world countries.

9. Since that time, he has been the prime instigator and author of every expansion of an increase in immigration up to and including the latest attempt to grant amnesty to illegal aliens. Not to mention the pious grilling he gave the last two Supreme Court nominees, as if he was the standard bearer for the nation in matters of
what's right. What a pompous ass!

10. He is known around Washington as a public drunk, loud, boisterous, and very disrespectful to ladies. JERK is a better description than "great American".
"A blonde in every pond" is his motto. Let's not allow the spin doctors to make this jerk a hero -- how quickly the American public forgets what his real legacy is.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

I love lemon, pink and cupcakes so this is perfect!

OK, this gal's blog had the cutest cupcake(s) on it & I had to post here! Check this out...

I wonder who thought up this yummy cupcake!


YUM! take a look at this little beauty!

Look at that filling oozing out! YUMM-O-RAMA!

What a fun cupcake!

OK, I'm not even sure how I find half of what I find on the internet! Seriously!! There are some really yummy looking (fun too) recipes & ideas out there!
I thought this was a great picture so I clicked on it & found a yummy recipe for it too!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

New fall line on the horizon!

I can not wait for customers to see our new Fall/Winter line with Tastefully Simple! I love the new packaging & it's just so exciting to see what the new tastes of the season are going to be! I can't wait to whip some up to see how good they are! I heard the chocolate Mousse, Mulling Spices & Carrot Pecan Bread were AWESOME! Those are the ones taht come to the top of my head anyways...I can not wait to try the raspberry pancake & waffle mix too! And the Everybody's Chili Mix, Pasta & Portabella Beef Stroganoff Mix, the Bruchetta cheese ball,Gotta Lotta Garlic Salsa, Ruby Orange Slush drink mix...I could go on and on here! Oh, and I am THRILLED beyond belief that they brought back the Italian Garlic Bread Seasoning!

Scentsy...

OK, with over 80 scents to choose from - who wouldn't be in heaven!? I LOVE LOVE LOVE candles and when I heard the idea of something that wouldn't get hot enough to burn my son or my cat, wouldn't send black smoke up to get on my walls/ceiling & I could easily change out from one scent to another - I was hooked! Also, I love that they have so many warmers to choose from & these great plug ins!

Right now through the month of August you can 10% off of items in the current catalog as the new Fall/Winter catalog comes out Sept 1st.




A little more about Scentsy...
Scentsy Bars: Authentic Scentsy Bars are incredibly potent bars of highly scented wax. Scentsy packs each Scentsy Bar with more fragrance oil than most 12 oz. jarred candles.
Room Sprays and Car Candles: Our Scentsy Fragrances are so fantastic; you will want to take them everywhere. We have designed other products to help you “Get Scentsy” in your car, closet, hotel room, or wherever you want a blast of your favorite Scentsy Fragrance.
Scentsy Bricks: Now you can have your favorite Scentsy fragrances at 6 times the size! Introducing the new Scentsy Brick. With a full pound of scented wax, there's more than enough Scentsy to share!
Scentsy Warmers:
Scentsy warmers are specifically designed to perfectly melt Authentic Scentsy Bars into an impressive wax pool that throws the maximum amount of fragrance over the longest period of time. Scentsy Warmers melt wax at a lower temperature so there is never any danger of burning children or pets. With dozens of colors and styles to choose from, there is a Scentsy Warmer to fit every decor.
Scentsy Plug-in Warmers:
A style that fits anywhere – designed to fit into those small spaces. A detachable base makes it quick and easy to change between your favorite fragrances.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Funny Craigslist posting...not sure if it's real or not, but it sure is funny!

This Ad Was Posted to Craig's List Personals:

To the guy who tried to mug me in downtown Savannah night before last. Date: 08-15-09, 1:43 AM EST.
I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on my girlfriend, threatening our lives and me.

You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings.

I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.

First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason.

My girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 .45 A CP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening.

Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head, wasn't it?

I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from bare footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again.]

After I called your mother, or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as four other people's in the gas station on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outs ide Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]

I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.


Later, I called a bunch of phone numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what's going on with that?

Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target. The FBI guy seemed really intense, and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number, etc.).

In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life.

Next time you might not be so lucky.

Have a good day!

Thoughtfully yours,
Alex

Thursday, August 20, 2009

When did this happen?

OK, so looking for a recent picture of my nieces I stumble across a few that have me in amazement. When did they grow into these beauties!? I've always known they were super cute, but my goodness! I can not believe the twins will be 13 in December & little B will be 9! WOW!!!




Cracking up! CNN categorizes Facebook users

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/20/annoying.facebook.updaters/index.html

Here are 12 of the most annoying types of Facebook users:

The Let-Me-Tell-You-Every-Detail-of-My-Day Bore. "I'm waking up." "I had Wheaties for breakfast." "I'm bored at work." "I'm stuck in traffic." You're kidding! How fascinating! No moment is too mundane for some people to broadcast unsolicited to the world. Just because you have 432 Facebook friends doesn't mean we all want to know when you're waiting for the bus.

The Self-Promoter. OK, so we've probably all posted at least once about some achievement. And sure, maybe your friends really do want to read the fascinating article you wrote about beet farming. But when almost EVERY update is a link to your blog, your poetry reading, your 10k results or your art show, you sound like a bragger or a self-centered careerist.

The Friend-Padder. The average Facebook user has 120 friends on the site. Schmoozers and social butterflies -- you know, the ones who make lifelong pals on the subway -- might reasonably have 300 or 400. But 1,000 "friends?" Unless you're George Clooney or just won the lottery, no one has that many. That's just showing off.

The Town Crier. "Michael Jackson is dead!!!" You heard it from me first! Me, and the 213,000 other people who all saw it on TMZ. These Matt Drudge wannabes are the reason many of us learn of breaking news not from TV or news sites but from online social networks. In their rush to trumpet the news, these people also spread rumors, half-truths and innuendo. No, Jeff Goldblum did not plunge to his death from a New Zealand cliff.

The TMIer. "Brad is heading to Walgreens to buy something for these pesky hemorrhoids." Boundaries of privacy and decorum don't seem to exist for these too-much-information updaters, who unabashedly offer up details about their sex lives, marital troubles and bodily functions. Thanks for sharing.

The Bad Grammarian. "So sad about Fara Fauset but Im so gladd its friday yippe". Yes, I know the punctuation rules are different in the digital world. And, no, no one likes a spelling-Nazi schoolmarm. But you sound like a moron.

The Sympathy-Baiter. "Barbara is feeling sad today." "Man, am I glad that's over." "Jim could really use some good news about now." Like anglers hunting for fish, these sad sacks cast out their hooks -- baited with vague tales of woe -- in the hopes of landing concerned responses. Genuine bad news is one thing, but these manipulative posts are just pleas for attention.

The Lurker. The Peeping Toms of Facebook, these voyeurs are too cautious, or maybe too lazy, to update their status or write on your wall. But once in a while, you'll be talking to them and they'll mention something you posted, so you know they're on your page, hiding in the shadows. It's just a little creepy.

The Crank. These curmudgeons, like the trolls who spew hate in blog comments, never met something they couldn't complain about. "Carl isn't really that impressed with idiots who don't realize how idiotic they are." [Actual status update.] Keep spreading the love.

The Paparazzo. Ever visit your Facebook page and discover that someone's posted a photo of you from last weekend's party -- a photo you didn't authorize and haven't even seen? You'd really rather not have to explain to your mom why you were leering like a drunken hyena and French-kissing a bottle of Jagermeister.

The Maddening Obscurist. "If not now then when?" "You'll see..." "Grist for the mill." "John is, small world." "Dave thought he was immune, but no. No, he is not." [Actual status updates, all.] Sorry, but you're not being mysterious -- just nonsensical.

The Chronic Inviter. "Support my cause. Sign my petition. Play Mafia Wars with me. Which 'Star Trek' character are you? Here are the 'Top 5 cars I have personally owned.' Here are '25 Things About Me.' Here's a drink. What drink are you? We're related! I took the 'What President Are You?' quiz and found out I'm Millard Fillmore! What president are you?"

You probably mean well, but stop. Just stop. I don't care what president I am -- can't we simply be friends? Now excuse me while I go post the link to this story on my Facebook page.

OK, and the last part just really cracked me up b/c here I am posting it to my blog! HAHAHA...

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Flat Steak, skirt steak, flank steak

OK, so I went to the store on Saturday & on my list was skirt steak. I saw this recipe with flank steak that I wanted to make http://www.recipegirl.com/2008/09/05/lime-marinated-flank-steak/ but had heard good things on the food network recently about skirt steak. So, they didn't have either & the butcher suggested that I try flat steak. He had nothing but great things to say about, he prefers it over some other cut blah blah blah...So, I bought one & we'll grill it over the weekend.

OK, so we grilled it & it had a different flavor, but we decided maybe it was too much lime juice for us. The meat was very tender though and I picked up another one!

This is what it looked like in the marinade...

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Harlow, what a doll!

HAD to post this picture of Harlow & Nicole Richie as it was just too cute! I love her little curls! Can't wait to see what their next baby looks like!

A great time in Oklahoma with old friends

So tanner & I went down to Edmond, OK about a month ago & I just realized that I've never posted any pictures about our trip! We had such a great time and I got to see so many old friends that I haven't seen in years! It really was a good time and just good to get back & see everthing. I can not believe how much it has changed and seriously thought I was lost at one point as I drove down 122nd St! Here are a few pictures of us at dinner Saturday night. Tanner fell asleep at dinner, poor guy was worn ragged on this trip! We both were by the time we got home on Sunday evening!

Michelle, Shannon & I

Shannon, Tanner & I

Mary, Shannon & I

thinking...

So everyday as I’m driving to work and I’m listening to music, I can’t help but to be taken back in my mind to different stages of my life and the people from those times. I looked at a driveway and was reminded of a time/person even. It’s just strange how the mind works. People or places you haven’t thought of in ages just pop into your mind.

I have gone through so many stages in life and I really think that I have many side/faces to who I am. I used to be such a party girl, at times I’ve been a real goody goody, I’ve been a cheating girlfriend (sorry James – Spring Break senior year with an old fling from KC that I ran into), a bride to be, a mother to be, a wife, a mother, a Leasing Agent, a Trainer, a Property Manager, An Assistant Property Manager, a claims assistant, a girlfriend, a daughter in law, a daughter, a babysitter, a sister, a friend, an Aunt. There are so many different sides to me and so many things about me that so many different people know. No one really knows everything though. It’s funny how there are those parts of you that you only keep for yourself.

Right now I would have to say that I love my life as a mother and a wife. Being a wife sure can be challenging and I never thought I would end up with someone who is so selfish at times. I sure wish Chad wouldn’t give the put out tone of voice so often when I ask him to pick Tanner up, or like yesterday when I asked if he could



OK, seriously!? What is wrong with people and the world we live in today.

Grown women really should know better than to do some of this just downright mean and stupid stuff that you read about them doing. I just read on CNN about a 40 year old woman who set up an add on Craigslist & used the picture and name of her ex husband’s 9 year old stepdaughter. It was an add that was sexually explicit. What is wrong with people! Just b/c you don’t like your ex husband or whatever the case may be is no reason to go after a child like that. WEIRD people in the world!

I also just read about a man that cooked their family dog to eat it. They said it’s legal to do that in New Zealand as long as it’s done humanely. That is just crazy to think that anyone would eat their pet. What is wrong with people? Dogs are not for eating!

We really are not safe anywhere! I just saw a story on the news about a woman was out for a walk, not far from her home in Georgia, in the early evening hours and she was taken. She was talking on her cell phone with her boyfriend when someone apparently attacked her as he heard her screaming & yelling no don’t take me. The phone went dead, they found the cell phone about two miles from where they believe she was abducted and have not seen or heard from her since. I always felt safer talking on my phone b/c for some reason I thought that would deter someone from taking you or that somehow people would be able to find you if you were taken while talking on your phone. No, they can’t SEE you or whomever is attacking you, they can’t SEE where you’ve been taken just b/c you have your phone with you & certainly this crime is showing that criminals are not afraid to nab you just b/c you are talking on your phone! Especially when you think it was the early evening hours, it was still light outside. What a scary, crazy world we live in today. It makes me sad for our kids that they don’t have the same freedoms we had growing up. We were allowed to walk way up the street, out of our parent’s sight to get to a friends house. It was never even a thought. Now, I wouldn’t let Tanner go up the street without watching him to make sure he makes it the whole way! Of course he’s also 3 ½ but still…so many weirdos out there & they will take a kid no matter the age. What about Shawn Hornbeck. He was taken when he was 11 years old while riding a bike to a friends house. Held for four years by a monster known as Michael Devlin. Then you’ve got Kelsey Smith who was shopping at Target around 6:30 – 7:00 in the evening and was abducted in broad daylight in the parking lot! Now that is scary. There are always people in that Target parking lot so how is it that no one noticed? You can even see on the parking lot survalence camera that he ran up to the car and there was a bit of a struggle to where he pushed her in. Did no one see that or see them driving away & her fighting him? I guess though that someone may see it & just think it’s a boyfriend and girlfriend in a fight and not really even think twice about it. Kelsey was raped and murdered and found a couple of days after she went missing. Very very sad for her family and for anyone that has to go through anything like that or what Shawn’s family went through. I wish nothing but the best in the outcome of this missing woman and pray that she is found OK and as unharmed as one could come out of something like that as possible.

Superhero birthday party

So my almost 4 year old son LOVES superheros! What little boy doesn't though right? I just found a really great blog (Polkadots & Pirates) http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/search/label/crown She is incredible & I can't believe the things she has created and come up with! So fun!! Anyways, got the idea to do a cape like this for Tanner. Since his friend birthday party is with the pirate theme, I decided I would do this for him for his actual day. When he gets up that morning, he'll come down to the kitchen to find a cape, mask & t shirt made special just for him! I found the gal that she had gotten her mask from (thanks to the link she had on her website) on Etsy. superflykidz is the gals company name & she even has a website that shows all of her colors, designs etc. Such great work & what a fun idea Holly (superflykidz gal) had in creating these!



These pictures were taken from her etsy store. You can find it at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=26794724
SUPER cute stuff! I've got my order for a t-shirt, mask & cape already in!

Twilight fans

OK, so I thought this would be really fun if you had a teen or tween that was really into Twilight!

A Twilight party! Whether it be a birthday party or just a party to get together & go see New Moon when it comes out. This would be a must have...

Check out Birthday Direct, they even have actual party supplies with the Twilight characters


And for the girl that is REALLY into Twilight...


I'm trying to think of any movies that were THIS big when I was growing up, but I just can't think of anything that had such a following. I really liked my Sweet Valley High books in elementary school, but there wasn't a movie or any TV shows that went with it. Movies like ET, Splash, Footloose and The Goonies were really big, but they didn't have any sequals. Hmmm...I'm not sure that we even had anything like this.

I was driving home yesterday though when I saw a poster for 17 again in the window at Blockbuster and it got me thinking that Zach Ephron is today, what Kirk Cameron, Corey Haim, Shawn Cassidy, Andy Gibb and so many others were in the past. Trying to think of who else I thought was such a heartthrob - oh Scott Baio, he was cute!


And Mitch Gaylord! Man, he was a hottie & I had a lifesize picture of him on my door. His wife is gorgeous & they have three kids today. There was a movie with him that I used to love as a kid, American Anthem.

Treasure map in a bottle pirate party invite

OK, so the theme for Tanner's 4th birthday party is pirates. I have been hunting for ideas & dreaming of what I want for this party since March! We're almost here & I can hardly stand it! I made the invitations this weekend & we got the first two delivered last night! I had the idea & thanks to this website http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/09/30/make-a-pirate-party-invitation/

I started by downloading a pirate font that I liked from the internet. http://www.fontspace.com/category/pirates It took me awhile to figure out how to use it once I had it downloaded but thanks to Google, I was able to figure it out! You just have to go to the control panel - fonts and install a font. Something like that. It wasn't too bad once I started to do it.

Anyways, I'd found this great wording for the invite from a Mom on this website:
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/pirate_party.html This is a great website to look for any fun party games & ideas as it's other Mother's giving ideas for what they did with their childs party. I guess maybe I should be submitting my stuff to that website!

Here are pictures of the invite...I changed mine up a bit with my bottle as I had envisioned sand with little shells in my bottle though. This was really easy too! Not as hard as you'd think just in looking at it.






Friday, August 14, 2009

A great saying for tweens & teens!

So much of growing up is an unbearable waiting. A constant longing for another time. Another season."

- Sonia Sanchez

This was on my daily calendar today. It just seems like the kids (girls I know) today can't wait to grow up. Things are so different from when I was growing up. Sure, we wanted to get boobs and wear bras, and to date boys. But at least we still played with girly things in elementary school and the styles on the famous young stars weren't so bare. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think all of the young & famous are wearing things like that. I just think back to some of the shirts, or low rise pants & pierced belly buttons and abdomial bearing shirts etc.

I think back to my Cabbage Patch dolls birthday party that I had in 6th grade & girls today wouldn't be caught dead having a party like that! LOL...we did look like big nerds though in the pictures from that party but it sure was fun!

WOW! How old do I sound with this?

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Jobs out there...

So I'm not even sure how many jobs I've applied for at this point, but I have not heard back from any of them. It's crazy out there! Today I even had a read receipt in my in box for a company that deleted my email without even reading. I thought that was pretty rude. That means that he probably didn't even take the time to open the email to open my resume that was attached.

I have another friend that has been actively looking for a job since March and she has come up with nothing.

Thankfully I was able to keep a job (with another division of sorts under the big umbrella we work for) so I've not had to enter the world of unemployment but have been able to keep a steady paycheck coming in.

The part of the umbrella I work under has been sold and I am hopeful that I will be able to get my pay back up and hopefully this will be a good move for me. It's good in the sense that I'll be working back closer to my house so at least I will get 45 - 1 hour back of my life each day as it's less driving time to and from work!

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, I was invited to the White House for a private dinner
with the President. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that
produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was some
talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I
paid it no mind. I live in a free country.

There's nothing that the government can do to me if I've broken no laws. My
wealth was earned honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American
President is an honor.

I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the
President in a yellow dining room. We sat across from each other at a table
draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china. Uniformed
staff served our dinner.

The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out,
plucked a dinner roll off my plate, and began nibbling it as he walked back
to the kitchen.

"Sorry about that," said the President. "Andrew is very hungry."

"I don't appreciate..." I began, but as I looked into the calm brown eyes
across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty.. It was just a dinner
roll.

"Of course," I concluded, and reached for my glass. Before I could, however,
another waiter reached forward, took the glass away and swallowed the wine
in a single gulp.

"And his brother Eric is very thirsty." said the President.

I didn't say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I thought. I
will play along. I don't want to seem unkind.

My plate was whisked away before I had tasted a bite.

"Eric's children are also quite hungry."

With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from
under me. I stood, brushing myself off angrily, and watched as it was
carried from the room.

"And their grandmother can't stand for long."

I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool.

Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some game. I
reached for my coat, to find that it had been taken. I turned back to the
President.

"Their grandfather doesn't like the cold."

I wanted to shout - that was my coat! But again, I looked at the placid
smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread my
hands helplessly and chuckled. Then I felt my hip pocket and realized my
wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant side
table. I learned shortly that my credit cards had been maxed out, my bank
accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had vanished, and my
wife had been thrown out of our home.

Apparently, the waiters and their families were moving in. The President
hadn't moved or spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the
phone into its
cradle and turned to face him.

"Andrew's whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven't
planned for retirement, and they need a house. They recently defaulted on a
subprime mortgage. I told them they could have your home. They need it more
than you do."

My hands were shaking. I felt faint. I stumbled back to the table and knelt
on the floor. The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak and drank
his wine.

I lowered my eyes and stared at the small grey circles on the tablecloth
that were water drops.

"By the way," He added, "I have just signed an Executive Order nationalizing
your factories. I'm firing you as head of your business. I'll be operating
the firm now for the benefit of all mankind.

There's a whole bunch of Erics and Andrews out there and they can't come to
you for jobs groveling like beggars."

I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty dish which had
been his creme brulee. He drained the last drops of his wine.

As the table was cleared, he lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair.
He stared at me. I clung to the edge of the table as if were a ledge and I
were a man hanging over an abyss. I thought of the years behind me, of the
life I had lived. The life I had earned with a lifetime of work, risk and
struggle. Why was I punished? How had I
allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across the
table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board between
us.

What had I done wrong?

As if answering the unspoken thought, the President suddenly cocked his
head, locked his empty eyes to mine, and bared a million teeth, chuckling
wryly as he folded his hands.

"You should have stopped me at the dinner roll," he said.

Wake up, America!

The second book of Proverbs: The Testament of Larry

Larry's Proverbs (REALLY funny)!

1.A day without sunshine is like night.

2.. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name..

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Since I've retired my Dr. said I need to have more fun...

The other day I went downtown to run a few errands. I went into the local coffee shop for a snack.

I was only there for about 5 minutes, and when I came out, there was this cop writing out a parking ticket. I said to him, 'Come on, man, how about giving a retired person a break'?

He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. His insensitivity annoyed me, so I called him a 'Nazi.'

He glared at me and then wrote out another ticket for having worn tires.

So I proceeded to call him a 'doughnut eating Gestapo.' He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first.

Then he wrote a third ticket when I called him a moron in blue.

This went on for about 20 minutes. The more I talked back to him the more tickets he wrote.

Personally, I didn't really care. I came downtown on the bus, and the car that he was putting the tickets on had one of those bumper stickers that said, ' Obama '08.'

I try to have a little fun each day now that I'm retired.

The doctor tells me that it's important for my health.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

These are a few of my favorite things...

Yes, The Sound of Music...I was singing that in my head as I was typing my title! I loved that movie when I was growing up! I wonder if I could get my baby boy to sit through it? HMMM...

1.Ken's Steak House Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinegarette & it's SO good & low cal/low carb/low fat!
2. Samba Sangaria from Tastefully Simple Really anything from Tastefully Simple is a fav these days! My friend Jodi found a recipe on their website - White Pizza Dip with the Garlic Garlic & it was to die for! Also, I love the Almond Pound Cake, Rhubard Strawberry Spread, Key Lime Cheeseball, Twisty Grahams, Corn & Black Bean Salsa, Blue Tortilla chips...Simply Salsa (SERIOUSLY good & SERIOUSLY easy)! I could go on and on and on...Conference is this weekend up in Minnesota so they'll be rolling out the new line for us to see! Can't wait to hear how everything is!
3. Jose Peppers - fajitas, pollo magnifico, tacos el carbon, cheese enchiladas,taco salad. They have THE BEST ESPINACA too!
4. Penelope Manwaring (the best hairdresser ever!)
5. Warm sun on my skin Sometimes when I go outside after work the sun just feels so good! I am inside the office from the time I get to work until I leave most days. It's so cold inside that I have a space heater at my desk.
6. Hanging out with my girlfriends & chatting! Doesn't matter whether it Glendy & Jodi or Holly and Lindsey, always a good time with my girls!
7. Tanner's laugh. As I was tucking him into bed last night he got the giggles and man, I love the sound of his laugh.
8. Spending time with my Mom. Don't get very much of it anymore since she's gotten remarried and is always preoccupied with Jack.
9. Reading some of the blogs that I follow.
10. Food Network! Man, I'm telling you that I am seriously addicted to some of their shows. I really don't like to watch the ones where they are cooking, Ina, Giada etc., but rather the challenges, unwrapped, Ace Of Cakes, Next Food Network Star, Diners Dives and Drive Ins (or whatever it's called) etc...Last night I was watching Unwrapped before bed & they were talking about foods that "make Chicago". Now I'm not a fan of the way they were eating their hot dogs up there (they make a sandwich on top of the hot dog. What is that all about?), but it's such a good show!

Now I know I'm totally missing a lot of things but I guess I'll end my list for the time being...

Check out Josh Sneed!

http://comedians.comedycentral.com/josh-sneed

OK, so I heard this guy on the radio on my way into work the other day & this guy is HILARIOUS! Seriously...funny, funny stuff! Check him out!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Next Food Network Star


I automatically have the DVR set up to record The Next Food Network Star & was really disappointed on Monday when I went online (without thinking) and ruined the surprise for myself. But, I did go ahead & watch the episode last night and I am really glad that Melissa won! I like her better than Jeffery in that I think she really is more humbled and not so arrogant and expecting to have been chosing. I don't think he thought she had a snowballs chance in hell to beat him! Good for her and I actually can't wait to catch her show!

Story from a sleep deprived Mother

So Tanner & I were driving home from our fun weekend in Edmond, OK yesterday when Tanner tells me that he need to poop & pee. So I tell him ya gotta hold it until we find the rest stop and then we can go. We get to the rest stop, into the bathroom, I get the toilet lines with TP (as he’s singing over and over about pooping), up on the seat & think I have “things arranged” so the pee will go into the toilet OK. So we’re waiting & I’m looking around & holding onto him so he won’t fall in when he starts to panic & holler at me b/c there’s a big puddle in his lap. Trying to clean this up & get it into the toilet, I’m just making it worse & have now soaked his underwear, got his shorts & sandals wet too. Threw the underwear away & got him cleaned up. So, no pants, I pick him up & try to cover his bare bottom with his shorts as we head out of the bathroom & get to the car. I open it up, get a pull up on him & head for the trunk to get clean shorts & different shoes. Closing the trunk I head back up to Tanner and after his shoes & shorts are on, I realize that I have now lost my car keys! I can’t find them anywhere & realize I’ve locked them in the trunk! So I’m in a panic on how in the world am I going to get them out! A car with a family pulls up next to me & I ask the father if he knows how to get keys out of the trunk when you’ve locked them in there but he only spoke Spanish & couldn’t understand a word I was saying! So I’m now in the backseat & trying to figure out how I’m going to get in there when I start crying & really begin to panic especially as I begin to think my phone may be in there too! I decided to look in my purse just in case it was in there. I’m thinking I gotta keep calm b/c I don’t want to freak Tanner out. Of course he’s oblivious to the whole situation & sitting in the front seat enjoying his popcorn from the day before. I am overjoyed when I find my phone in my purse and so I can call Chad for help! I begin to tell him all that’s happened as I’m crying and he’s asking where Tanner is so I tell him he’s safe and sitting on the front seat eating popcorn. Chad comes back with a question “is the car open”? “yes” I said. “Pull the trunk latch” he said.