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Saturday, December 31, 2005
New Year's resolutions entertainment Please remember, some journalists really earn their pay writing these columns/articles, and most are just reminding common sense. Losing weight, exercising and smoking are eaily in the top 5, so it might be fun to read the not so ordinary.
Ringing in the New Year 1. What size is your ring finger? Size 6. 2. Do you do the resolutions bit? Nope, EVERY day is a new start. Why put off til tomorrow, when today is already here? Just get it done!
January 1. Other than Elvis, who else that is special to you is celebrating a birthday in January? My sister's birthday is New Year's Day. For the first time ever, I wondered if she was the first New Year's baby in her hospital when she hatched 36 years ago? Silly details are sketchy, since my mother's doctor was smashed out of his gourd and my mother ended up paralyzed for several months due to his drunken mistakes. Nope, no lawsuits back then, either. 2. In general, what does your New Year's Eve "celebration" entail? Grazing the huge buffet in our kitchen and dining room with hubby, Munchkin, stepson, my inlaws and Munchkin's boyfriend. Watching movies.
Slow as molasses 1. What is one activity you enjoy doing slowly? Eating dinner as a family. I love our "what happened to me today" chats btwn all of us, while munching away. 2. How do you feel about molasses as an ingredient in any recipe? I feel just fine, HAHAHA. In all honesty, I get awful gas (S-B-D, to be more exact), which is why hubby thinks he's HILARIOUS when he makes my ultimate weakness, homemade baked beans in the cute individual crocks. HAHAHA Guess my lunch! Just like him and deviled eggs, except I don't make the deviled eggs. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/30/2005 10:46:00 PM
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
There is no "deserve" It still amazes me how many people blame the victim of rape. It was a discussion we had recently at work and I PO'd a few of my fellow employees.
The general stance, even among "educated" women, is the victim's clothes, ie. slutty clothes = deserve it.
I asked one gal to define "slutty clothes."
And when she finished, I said, "Huh. So YOU deserve it if you are raped, eh?"
You see, she described booby-showing shirts. Tight clothes, skin showing.
And she turned red when I pointed out that the shirt she was wearing displayed HER ample cleavage, not to mention, she had to pull it down at the bottom WHILE she was describing "slutty clothes" because her midrift was showing. And her tattoos.
Many people still see tattoos as marks of sluttiness.
NOBODY DESERVES TO BE RAPED. No reason, no excuse. Rape is an ACT OF VIOLENCE, whether the rapist is known or unknown.
Rapists rarely even look at clothes. Soccer moms are raped in parking lots, grandmothers are raped in their own homes.
I was fuming.
My analogy to my speechless coworkers: "maybe we should blame people who drive flashy sports cars who have them stolen, right? According to your theory, they DESERVE it. But then, call your insurance company and you will find out that it's the Honda Civic and Jeep models in the HIGH RISK category."
Just the regulars you see in the mall parking lots. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/27/2005 07:43:00 AM
Monday, December 26, 2005
Lots of filler news, also good as New Year's Eve party trivia Lordy be, we just can't have our cellphone time wrong!
It might be a little late for Christmas trivia, but stratigically inserted into chitchat will let you seem as smart as listening to the John Tesh Radio Show.
"When in Rome..." Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
The family festivities are done here. Eveyone is gone, except hubby, stepson and me.
Everyone showed up, my parents and my sister, her hubby and 2 girls. Everyone ate and ate and ate. And chatted. The guys took the family room, complete with roaring fire.
Us gals sat in the living room.
Yep, Big Sis was surprised I didn't live in The Ghetto and remarked our neighborhood seemed nice. Her hubby, according to my hubby and stepson, was truly awed by our house and pole barn. And the toys (project cars, a working skidsteer, snowmobiles, etc.) out back. And our super cool neighbors with whom our kids have lawn tractor races.
Big Sis held her compliment about our house til she was walking out the door, "This is a nice enough house, but you sure didn't show us much." Nope, they didn't get The Grand Tour of our BEDROOM AND BATHROOM AND WALK-THRU CLOSET and my retreat or hubby's office, but they saw the rest of the house.
Maybe she wanted to check out my bathroom cabinets? She didn't seem offended that I didn't show her the inside of my dishwasher.
I bet she'd have been PO'd if she'd seen inside my cupboards, the crystal stemware and sets of fine china. My mother warned me.
It still went very well. My dad, especially, enjoyed his time in our home. He said I'm a great hostess, lots of great food. It means a lot because my dad generally eats enough to be polite and leaves quickly. At my house, he refills his plates until he blames me for his pot belly and enjoys the recliners and conversations.
As for my inlaws, I thought their party was normal this year. No more costume parties!
I was WRONG!
There WAS a theme. I thought it was a clever joke, directed toward us for staying away. Oh well.
I just didn't think it was REALLY their party for Christmas.
The theme was "When in Rome..." THEY WORE TOGAS! On my lucky stars, my eyesight has not imploded upon the sight of my father-in-law in his bedsheet. And we saved our children from that visual.
You know, Halloween at Christmas was even more tacky than when I called my mom last night at 8:30 and my dad hollered for her to tell me that Santa was over Europe and the Virgin Mary was dilated to a 7.
Winter Wonderland 1. How do you keep warm during the winter time? Do you have a favorite jacket or type of coffee to warm you? I am really into wearing turtlenecks and sweaters. Pretty and soft. Lucky me, Gusto feeds my addiction. 2. Do you ever wonder what Santa gets for Christmas? What would YOU get him? Santa just goes up and down the chimney with magic and he gets cookies and other yummies. The REAL workers are the elves and reindeer, who need a nice Hawaiian beach.
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! 1. If you could change the color of snow, would you leave it white or make it some other color? I'm in the Leave It White category, although in my yard, I have plenty of yellow snow. Does that count for color change? teehee 2. How much snow does it take for you to say, "Enough is enough!"? With my pretty Jeep and snowblower and tractor w/blade and skidsteer in my yard, I can't really complain. My beloved Jeep, bless her lil heart, has never left me stranded in the snow or ice.
Frosty the Snowman 1. Do you prefer a slushie/slurpee or an Iced Cap? Gimme an Ice Cap! It's "leaded," which makes it worth the empty calories. 2. Any good/funny snowman stories? Making one or even seeing a humorous one? Both neighbor families built a snowman last week. Nice neighbors' put one in their front yard and he looked like he was doing the Limbo, he was tilted so far back! That just cracked us up. The Illegals decided to put one next to their mailbox, which wasn't really smart. Needless to say, some jerkoff used it as a target and completely destroyed their mailbox, along with Mr. Snowman. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/24/2005 05:05:00 PM
Friday, December 23, 2005
I'll be home for Christmas My stepson is down here until after New Years, I guess. Whatever. Hubby's X dropped off their son yesterday at his work because she was passing thru town.
Twice, TWICE, she made remarks along the lines of, "I wish I could come to your house for Christmas, instead of putting up with my inlaws. I'm glad HE (my stepson) doesn't have to put up with their BS. We still don't know if the family Christmas will be Christmas Eve or Christmas afternoon."
So much for Holly Jolly Christmas!
Background: Her hubby's sister, Lisa, got divorced this past year and she is engaged to a new guy who has 2 kids. Lisa also has a toddler with her Xhubby. My hubby's X has been made to feel very guilty over the years because of the interruption of events due to the SCHEDULED Christmas Eve pickup/dropoff of my stepson. So, she and her hubby are more than a bit miffed that everything is being planned around Lisa and her brood, who still has NO concrete plans.
Even my stepson stated her wishes to me last night, I kid you NOT, that she would have loved to spend the weekend with us.
The ignorance of Hollywood The remake of King Kong is 3 hours. I bet Kong still dies in New York at the end, right? Same ending as 1933 and 1976. And Godzilla in 1998.
YAWN!
The latest Harry Potter movie was 2 hours, 40 minutes, because Hollywood didn't think kids who had read the 600+ page book would be able to sit thru a 3-hour film.
The 3 day tally: King Kong - $50.15 million Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - $101.4 million
That about sums up Hollywood, a land of dumb apes falling for blondes for hire.
When all is said and done, it's the kids who will save the day...and box office receipts!
PS. Next Harry Potter should be at least 3 hours! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/20/2005 07:16:00 AM
Monday, December 19, 2005
Positive thoughts, please Right now, my thoughts are with my sister, who has had vaginal bleeding all today. She has a dr appt tomorrow.
Nearly 11 years ago, she had a complete hysterectomy. No, I don't know the exact circumstances.
And now, she has no health insurance.
Positive thoughts please for my 35-year-old sister. Thank you. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/19/2005 11:34:00 PM
Speaking of Nixon, did anyone watch the President read the teleprompter last night?
I didn't waste my time. I read The Big Speech online, instead. Saved time and energy.
It's a good ploy, shift the blame onto "defeatists" who just don't understand.
Mr. Prez, even your ardent supporters don't understand your Big Plan for Iraq. And everyone sees that billions are being wasted there, instead of spending that money on the American people. And the ever-skyrocketing DEFICIT you have created has all but turned us into a 3rd world nation.
We have FORCED the Iraqi nation to do what WE want, but with little "success." Many Iraqis who were against Saddam are against us. We ARE creating terrorists.
Of course, I'm probably all wrong. It MUST be ridiculous for me to hold suspicions toward the same "intelligence" that spouted about Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Remember that infamous House of Cards featuring Saddam's baddest of his baddies? Here's an update. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/19/2005 07:32:00 AM
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Isn't it bizarre that people are complaining about the phrase, "Happy holidays"?
The best quote I've read so far about this come from Bill Press in a CNN story: "The more people are talking about who's saying 'Happy Holidays' and who's saying 'Merry Christmas,' the less people are talking about Karl Rove, torture, Tom DeLay, the war in Iraq and other hot issues."
The other hot story of the past 48 hours involves our President who desperately needs to be impeached and removed. You know, how he's breaking even more of our laws and bypassing that silly lil' piece o'paper called the Constitution.
Did Nixon with Watergate even come close?!!? That whole scandal seems damn tame now! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/18/2005 08:07:00 AM
Baby face 1. What is your favorite trick to make a fussing baby smile? I play peek-a-boo. 2. Whose face would you like to put on a postage stamp? I wouldn't mind saying I licked George Clooney this morning!
Poker face 1. Do you enjoy playing cards games such at poker, rummy, gin, or even go fish or crazy eights? Nope, card games bore me. I've no inclination to learn poker or rummy or gin. What's really weird is that I'm a strong euchre player. 2. If you had to face your biggest fear, what would the fear be? Munchkin being killed. I've faced far too many of my other "biggest fears" and survived, but that is the one thing that could bring me down.
Face the facts 1. What big challenge did you have to face this year? How was it? This year was full of big challenges, but my biggest was getting back on the motorcycle after Rob. 2. What is your favorite fact-finding site? I'm such an IMDB whore! Even Munchkin loves to research on it. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/16/2005 09:31:00 PM
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
OFAC for Diabetics New York City has decided it needs to keep track of its diabetics. Mandatory tracking of bloodwork and doctor visits. Mind you, NYC isn't going to be paying for doctor visits or medications. They are just going to make this big computerized list, like OFAC for terrorists (which all financial instutions must use), and keep it for themselves. Safe and sound.
You know, for the "diabetic's sake." Diabetics need to be on a searchable list, you know.
"Opting-out" procedures haven't even been decided, nor how much of the program can be opted-out from. (Dear Gusto, I'm sorry: out from. Your friend, Sunshine)
Pesky diabetics!
Diabetes, as most Dick and Janes have been educated, is a non-communicable disease. I can have sex with a diabetic and not worry about "catching" diabetes. I won't even get diabetes if I don't wash my hands.
Neither horror author/doctor Robin Cook, nor Hollywood, have come up with anything remotely close to Diabetic Outbreak. Bet neither Denzel, nor Tom Hanks, are frothing for the lead in such a script. Maybe Johnny Knoxville, tho.
The Diabetic OFAC list is a scary concept. Doctors will be leaving the city. Even worse, diabetics who don't want to be registered just won't go to their doctor. It's that simple.
The potential for MISUSE of such a database far outweighs any benefits. Let's face it, the govt isn't known for keeping secrets, unless it involves naming names of officials who leak CIA operatives names to a writer.
Diabetic OFAC could be used for discriminatory purposes, like checking it for an applicant before hiring. Or using it to raise car/homeowners/etc. insurance premiums, like Michigan uses credit reports.
I don't like it that my county health dept sends a letter weekly to remind me I need to call them about Munchkin's chicken pox. The school reported her to them, without my permission. AND gave them our address.
Lots of lists. Your condition could be next. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/14/2005 11:17:00 PM
Bill has been made a fool. He's been PUNK'D. He's pulled a Dan Rather. I know, it's just a hicktown, nothing major like questioning the Presidency. Like I've said before, it always starts small. No that Bill O'Reilly has just started lying.
Seems to me that Big-Mouthed Bill PO'd one of his lackeys, who decided to have a bit o'fun with Bill. See Bill get outraged over a uh...total fabrication...that uh...he created. Huh.
Hopefully, Bill will give just as big of an apology to Saginaw Township, as he did spouting the lie. I won't hold my breath for him to be as big of a man as he is a big mouth, though. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/13/2005 06:43:00 AM
Monday, December 12, 2005
Take it like a man Tookie Williams is supposed to be put to death tonight after midnight, unless Gov. Arnold grants him clemency.
Riots are pretty much expected if Tookie gets put to death.
IMHO, the gangs will win if Tookie lives. They will have even less fear of punishment.
Tookie MAY be a changed man, but it could be a charade. He hasn't helped the police solve other crimes that involved the gang he helped found, the Crips. He's still watching his gangs' backs.
Some will point out that he has written children's books. I find that scary, not inspiring, like Mattie Stepanek.
Some will point out that he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Just FYI, anybody can be nominated. (Note to self: nominate Gusto, Lulu and Hubby next year.)
Some will point out that The Death Penalty is barbaric and doesn't belong in a civilized nation. FYI, war is The Death Penalty for an entire country. First, cry your eyes out for supporting tens of thousands of deaths in Iraq, including innocent children. Not too long ago, my stance against the Iraq War was called unAmerican and unpatriotic.
I am for the death penalty for convicted cold-blood killers and wish Michigan had it. Life in prison, being able to watch TNT and HSN with 3 squares a day and a pillow/blanket, is too good. We have far too many convicts who are making repeat trips to the big 'hood. There is little regard for life because killing another person can bring on a sentence of 5 years, maybe less with "good behavior" and overcrowding.
Yes, the death penalty is quite costly, but often, it is only wild bids for life in prison. Those who support abolishing the death penalty in the U.S. have incurred these fees.
Tookie, you dished it like the thug you were, now take your punishment for your actions like the man you claim to be! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/12/2005 07:14:00 AM
Friday, December 09, 2005
Lotsa luck Hubby's hand surgery went well, but once again, when the DR went in, it was worse than anticipated. Still, he should recover 100% mobility by next spring, which is VERY lucky. Yep, the middle finger tendon was completely severed, but he also sustained 60% and 80% lacerations in 2 other tendons (ring and pointer fingers.)
Last night, we got 8 inches of snow, so Munchkin got to stay home with daddy today. Don't that just beat all?!!? I miss snow days...
As hubby and I chatted on the couch before I got ready for work this morning, my old kinda-boss, the tractor guy, just started plowing our driveway. I'm sure he was concerned because hubby's truck hasn't been home all week (due to hubby's driving restriction.)
Oh, and yesterday morning during hubby's surgery, I managed to write out nearly 40 Christmas cards in the waiting room. Thanks to him, I finally "found the time."
And you know, I already had done up my tractor-neighbor's Christmas card.
We will never forget... Father, Husband, Son, Brother Cousin, Uncle, Nephew Neighbor, Coworker FRIEND
Dec. 8, 1964 to June 5, 2005
Rob, you touched many lives and are dearly missed by all. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/08/2005 12:01:00 AM
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Hubby has an appt with the hand surgeon this morning. Updates later this evening.
This past Saturday was spent picking out our real Christmas tree...a Fraser fir. Their needles stay soft, not ouch-picky. It's very important to not fear reaching into the tree after a few weeks to remove ornies because of painful poking.
Of course, we went to the Tree Farm close to our house. It was just the 3 of us...hubby, stepson and me. Munchkin was out of town with the Drama Dept.
After a cup of hot cider to warm our chilled bones, we boarded the hayride into the field, where my stepson found The Perfect Tree. That meant another cup of yummy cider before leaving. (Let me tell you, the price this year was $10 cheaper than other years. No kidding!)
Sunday morning, Munchkin and I decorated the perfect tree and even SHE was impressed with it. My stepson was thrilled that he had made the perfect choice. I'm just glad that at 15, he's still into the whole trip-to-the-tree-farm-family-thing. And not just to shut up his favorite stepmonster, either. He REALLY gets into evaluating the trees individually and being taken seriously.
Huh, especially considering his mom hasn't put up a tree or decorations for the past 2 Christmas seasons. Because she's "just so busy." Huh?
I know it's gonna be a doozy when hubby calls me at work and the first words out of his mouth are, "I don't want you to worry, but..."
OF COURSE NOT! You are just phoning me in the middle of the day because it's FUN. Now, let me go back to handing out money.
But I always know better. There is this 6th sense, the one that believed Munchkin WAS really ill the day after Halloween and shouldn't go to school. Hubby pooh-pooh'd her, and she didn't really LOOK sick, and she'd been out for hours the night before just fine. I still let her stay home. The next day, the chickenpox started poking thru. Yay for Mommy Intuition!
Or, as I eloquently say, "One less issue for her to tell her shrink when she's 30!"
With hubby, the sirens started blaring right away in my head.
"What happened?" I asked him calmly. "The situation is under control..." "Where are you? It sounds like you're in a wind tunnel!" "Now, don't be scared or overreact..." "Tell me what's going on and *I'LL* decide about that." "We're on our way to the ER. There was a slight accident at work, but it's all OK." His voice kinda got sing-song. "WHAT happened?" The calm was pretty much out now. "Now, don't go rushing out of work or anything, OK? I kinda cut myself and the Urgent Care can't take care of it because they said I need a hand surgeon..." He sounded doped up. Unfortunately, it was just the opposite, they hadn't given him ANY drugs yet, he was trying to cope. "WHAT HOSPITAL ARE YOU GOING TO?!!!?" By now, my coworkers were bug-eyed.
Needless to say, I got the name of the hospital and told him I was on my way. A quick explanation to my boss before I left and it took me less than 20 minutes to get to the ER. He was still doing paperwork when I walked thru the doors.
And I shuddered.
The injury is pretty severe. He SEVERED a tendon in his hand with the deep gash. The middle finger. I joked it was his driving finger. He's going to need surgery to fix it. And lots of drugs, for him and me.
What was REALLY creepy is that 6 months ago -- to the day, to the freakin' HOURS -- we were in that very same hospital. In that very same ER. Just 30 ft away.
When Rob was killed in The Accident. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
12/06/2005 07:33:00 AM
Friday, December 02, 2005
Friday Frou Frou: It's all an act Performance Anxiety 1. If you were in the circus, which trick/act would you want to perform? Since I like my kitties small, Lion Tamer would be out. So, I'd be swinging from the trapeze. 2. Do you get anxious when speaking in public? Does the anxiety differ depending on the audience or topic? Usually, I'm a bit nervous until it's my turn, then I'm fine.
Award-winning performance 1. Who would you like to give an award? Rob's family for not killing the kid who killed their father/husband/son/etc. Yesterday, there was another fatal accident at the corner where he was killed not even 6 months ago. We are still awaiting the results of the state police investigation which will be turned over to the county prosecutor's office. That takes about 6 months. 2. What is the first live performance you remember seeing? Beats me, I've never really thought about it. No big memories.
Performance review 1. Have you ever had a performance review at work? How was it? Yep, I just had my first ever by-the-books review and scored umm...very very high. 2. How much stock do you put in book/movie reviews? Since I like fluff/silly and most reviewers prefer artsy/drama, they rarely even make my reading list.
The 12 months of Christmas (repayment) Why is it really big news that wages aren't increasing. Honestly, how can it be surprising?
What scares me is how many people are LIVING off credit cards. Not paying down the debt, but adding to it each month.
Our biggies at work right now are credit cards increases and unsecured/signature loans, "for Christmas shopping."
Of course, an unsecured loan is a much better bet than a credit card (read that fine print, people!), but it is still crazy to want $2500 for buying "gifts and extras." And finance for 5 years, please.
People, this is called "living beyond your means." What about NEXT year?
Dear God, I sound like my manager. AND MY MOTHER!
Yes, I'm considered "frugal." I prefer thoughtful over a heart-attack price tag. Even our White Elephant exchange at work is max'd at $20. One gal doesn't have $20 to throw around and nearly backed out, until I quietly explained to her that $20 was the MAX, and buying a gift on sale or with a coupon is perfectly FINE. Yesterday, she confided that she spent $7 and is confident that her secret pal will be happy.
It's funny, from the time I was 11, my parents gave us cash for Christmas and birthdays. No gifts. Oh, I was the envy of all my teenaged friends.
Now, they give gifts. Not a stack, but a few. Nothing to break the bank. Or even a sweat.
