2010-04-30 The Lovely Fries

Oh these fries...

They're salty...
They're crispy...
But also soft...
The bag is smeared with just enough oil to hint at the goodness inside...


They're just yummy. Had a bite at Five Guys Burgers and Fries and it's just too tasty for words. It looks like my words are inadequate, so I'll stop trying to find ways to say this: I liked them.

2010-04-29 Plurally Possessive

This just burns me. Or shall I say burn's me.


I truly do not understand how the majority of people I see writing -- email, Twitter, Facebook, etc. -- cannot figure out how to work an apostrophe.

It really isn't hard. And every time I see signs and menus that are misspelled, I just lose it. Because someone should have caught that. Someone came up with the idea for the sign. They passed it around their offices. They sent it to a printer...possibly even more than one, if they got bids. Then a printer and the people on-staff who produced the sign all saw it. That's a LOT of people who didn't care or didn't know that the sign was wrong.

So it bums me out. It bums me out because I wonder if teachers just can't reach kids or if people are just lazy. Either way, get your apostrophes straight, people.

2010-04-28 Spanish Moss

When I was about 5 years old, we lived in a house owned by the sugar mill my dad worked at. It was a sort of temporary housing they would give you when you moved to town. It was a tiny little house with two bedrooms and a bath. It had a tiny little kitchen, but it had a beautiful screened porch. In our backyard, we had loads of trees covered in Spanish Moss.


I used to love to climb them and pull down the moss and stare at it. I couldn't figure out who "put it there." I had no concept that it grew and was an air plant. I still love seeing it...it's a good childhood memory.

2010-04-27 This is Grossssssssss

If you're squeamish, don't look.










I had to kill this today:


I was sitting outside when I saw Pippin run over to this area in the side yard and get super-excited and making yipping noises. That's when my antenna went up...if he's that excited, then something's wrong!

I found it was a snake all coiled up, in a corner, trying to strike at my little puppy, who was trying to get ever closer for a little look.

So I ran over and grabbed him and put him inside. OK, now everyone is safe. But there's still a snake in the yard.

So I did the next thing I could think of...I ran around in little circles saying, "What do I do? What do I do?" So I thought of my snow shovel...bing! I grabbed it and ran out there and found it was still sitting there coiled up. As I approached, it reared up and I cut it in half with my shovel. The whole time I kept saying "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," as if it could hear me or something.

I feel bad and yet I don't. I know all the arguments about keeping certain snakes in the yard, but I can't have that with my dog out there. So...sorry snake.

2010-04-26 No Hero

I do enjoy having a Wii and play sometimes, but my sad little Guitar Hero guitars are just hanging around these days...at this point, they're almost a decorative items.

2010-04-25 Guard Duty

I went to meet with a friend who is going to help me chair a committee next year. We had an great, hours-long conversation about how we can inspire new members to be great volunteers. And when I came out of the office, I saw these ducks congregating outside my car.


I like to think they were guarding my car, making sure no one messes with it.

2010-04-24 TV Nerd

I'm nerding out in front of the TV on a Friday night...I've been enjoying a couple of new shows...first is "Who Do You Think You Are." I think, as the child of immigrants, where I come from fascinates me. Also, I love to learn about other cultures, so naturally finding out about who came before me is really interesting. This series, which was a British show brought to the US by Lisa Kudrow was fantastic. It followed the ancestry of 6 celebrities, with really great results.


I also really love this year's animation of my favorite podcast, "The Ricky Gervais Show." I really wonder whether people are able to get the hilarity of this show without listening to the original podcasts, but if you're into it, they're on iTunes for a few bucks. Ricky and his writing/directing partner Steve, met Karl when they were radio DJs in England. Once Karl opened his mouth, they knew they had met someone unique. Sometimes I don't know if the things Karl says are stupid or genius. But either way, I love watching this show.

2010-04-23 Audio Slave

If I had to list the things in my every day life that I love most, my iPod would be #2 on the list...oh, OK, here is the top 5, since I know it will kill you not to know:

1. Pippin the wonder dog!
2. the Air Conditioner
3. my iPod
4. the ice maker on the fridge
5. the remote control (all of them)

My iPod, however, would also be on the list of things I would carry with me if I were forced to live a Kwai Chang Caine-like existence.


It would be a great TV show...me and Pippin, wandering down the road, looking for a place to plug in our techie gadgets, and while we do this, we solve mysteries and save people from horrible situations. Aaaaaand, end scene....(theme song).

But part of the reason I love my iPod so much is that it gives me time to read. Our library lets us download free audiobooks, and this way, I can "read" and multitask...do the laundry, get the shopping done, walk Pippin. I love it...and a lot of times they hire really wonderful voice actors to give life to the book in a way that even I cannot do when reading the book on paper. I still love to read regular books, but audiobooks have really enhanced my life, and I encourage everyone to go to your local library's website and see if they have the same service. You can also download free videos and ebooks.

I know I'm extolling the virtues of a gadget that not exactly "new", but maybe a lot of people haven't thought of using it this way...here, I'll also give you one bad thing about the invention of the iPod. If you live in NY and go into the Subway, you will invariably come across a dude listening to his iPod, and then loudly singing the song so that all of the surrounding people can hear what he's listening to. This guy is what we call an "asshole." If you are reading this and you have ever done this, I have really bad news for you...

2010-04-22 Framed

As I mentioned yesterday, I picked up the framing order I had put in more than a month ago. I think they originally forgot to call me, so I called to ask about it a couple of weeks ago, then I forgot about it and finally got a chance to pick it up.

That's the good news...

The bad news is I could not find my hammer anywhere. I had the place in my room where I wanted to hang it, and there was a even a little ready-made hole there from the previous owners. But I wandered around my garage for about half an hour looking for the damn hammer to get the nail far enough into the hole. Enter: a good pair of chunky-heeled shoes.

Good thing I'm a "make-do" kind of gal...so used that shoes to push the nail in as far as I needed, and balanced the little picture in just the right place, and now, I have lovely memory of Seattle and my trip to Alaska last year.


Not too shabby. I picked this frame because it was a little rustic looking but not too rustic. I'm not a big fan of mattes, so I decided against it. This frame kind of had the same vibe as the marketplace. What do you think?

2010-04-21 Fake Flowers

Wow, that's a lotta flowers...


Fake, fake, fake!

I'm at Michael's again, picking up my frame order, which apparently no one told me had arrived. I think they were probably about ready to put it in the store to sell! I'll show how it turned out tomorrow when I hang it.

Michael's is great for browsing, but it's also an interesting example of conspicuous consumption in this country. I mean, who needs all this stuff? I get the paints and the crafts, but some of this stuff I just don't get. I suppose someone somewhere is interested in all of these hobbies, but when I look at this row of fake flowers, all I can think of is the company that makes plastic flowers by the millions, roped into these long strings. And they just sit here, fodder for a landfill...all of it temporary. Maybe I'm in a bad mood. Flowers are supposed to make you happy, aren't they?

But of course, I couldn't help but do this...it's like crafty graffiti.

2010-04-20 Not a Winner

My losing streak continues. The other day when the volcano exploded, Maria and I were talking and she said I should go out and get lottery tickets since we were so lucky that we didn't get to Newark and have our vacation canceled while at the airport.

So I did.


I bought 5 quick picks for the Lotto. I went back today to have the system check the numbers. As you can see the system knows...I am not a winner. And they've imprinted my tickets just to make sure I am aware of it, too.

Thanks.

2010-04-19 Slurpee

This is what I had today instead of a doughnut that I wanted.


I went to 7-11 and they always have awesome doughnuts...I wanted to eat a Boston Cream but I just don't need a pile of sugary dough. So I went by the drinks machine and they have Crystal Light slurpees. Only 5 calories and tasty! Thank you 7-11 for saving me from myself!

2010-04-18 Sunday Mimosas

It's a rainy cruddy day, and I think this calls for alcohol. But, I am a lady -- *insert tongue in cheek* -- if nothing else, so morning alcohol is not usual for me. But, the best and most acceptable morning alcohol is the Mimosa...I found the cutest little tiny individual champagne bottles and mixed them up with my awesome cranberry-orange juice from Sun Harvest and that little bottle made for 3 Mimosas! Sweet! This Mimosa + me + DVR = a great Sunday. The only thing that could make this better is bacon. Cheers, everyone!

2010-04-17 Got My Nails Did

Finally! I had a nice opportunity to get a mani/pedi this weekend (I knew this photography would eventually be reduced to me taking pics of my toes). It was awesome...it's been a couple of months and my feet were feeling kinda busted.


I felt kind of justified getting fancied up, as I had plans to see Beauty and the Beast tonight at the local theater.

I don't think I ever saw the Beauty and the Beast movie...so the story was kind of a surprise (outside of the usual theatrical conceits). It's a Disney story so it's full of the usual fairytale stuff. Men are either strong & stupid or weak & weird; women are pretty and dumb except occasionally you get a "weird" one who's pretty and smart (and no one likes her); never mess with ugly people because they have power and will jack up your life...you know, typical Disney. You can't watch this stuff with a 21st century analytical mind or it'll drive you crazy.

So I turned off my brain, and it was great! I really enjoyed it...I'm quite surprised at the quality of some of these touring companies...we're not exactly a huge market, but there's a lot of quality singing and dancing going on in the 'burbs. And I couldn't help getting a little weepy when everyone is happy at the end...and I only allowed the occasional feminist argument to invade the enjoyment of the evening.

I'm thinking of getting season tickets for next year's Broadway series, which includes South Pacific ("I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair!" Oy, more feminism!), Young Frankenstein and West Side Story. I love musical theater...and theater in general! YAY for the Arts!

2010-04-16 Soup is ON!

This soup is ON, baby! It's on like Donkey Kong!


This is my first attempt at making some kind of soup that has no meat in it. It took one of Pioneer Woman's Tomato Soup recipes and slimmed it down and I have to say...it's good. I mean gooooood. I feel like I could just eat this any time of day and feel full but not as if I've jacked up the calorie count.

In other news, the volcano exposion in Iceland is making crazy trouble for everyone. If I was going to Europe I'd be in the airport right now, getting my flight canceled. I'm glad it happened the way it happened and I had some time to prepare for the fact my vacation wasn't happening. I would have be BUMMED to have gone all the way to Newark just to get sent home. I guess it all happens for a reason.

In other other news, I'm looking forward to the weekend...tomorrow is a mani/pedi and a showing of Beauty and the Beast and possibly a movie Sunday. It's all B.Y.O.S...Bring Your Own Soup. Well, I'm all set, yo! Holla at your soup!

2010-04-15 Vet Face

This is my dog's vet face.


This is the wild-eyed look he has while he sits on the exam table, completely covered in a rash and scabs that he himself has scratched or bitten into his skin. He is so itchy that he can't sleep...I can't sleep...and he doesn't respond to OTC medicine or even feel like eating.

So here we are on Thursday afternoon, waiting for the inevitable steroid shot, accompanied by a $250 vet bill. We haven't had to do this for a few years, so I'm bracing for the shock.

I love this dog. I'll do anything for him. But it kills me when the diagnosis is "allergies." Great. I get it. There is so much pollen in the air that it's turning my pool yellow. But oy...$250 to cure it? Sigh. It just galls me. I'm glad Pippin can't tell what I'm thinking while I pet him and comfort him from being scared of the vet. Let's go home, buddy.

2010-04-14 Plans Trashed

Well it appears that all this worry about my feet holding up in Europe isn't a worry at all...we won't be going. The plans are officially off. I've kind of known for a few days, but we kept trying to be sure there was not some way to go.


Due to some medical issues, my friend's co-worker is out on disability, forcing Maria to stay to cover her department. It's OK. For some reason, I can handle it. I am disappointed but we know we're going to reschedule. And our wonderful company is giving us our lost money back since we're canceling for work. I think I was most worried about that...I felt like I had saved for a long time and to lose it would have just crushed me. But we're assured we'll get it. OK, so...thinking good thoughts.

2010-04-13 Unhappy Feet

I got the shot this morning.


People have told me how painful it is, and yes, it did hurt but it was manageable. I can't say it was any more painful than my heel feels after a day of hard walking.

The doctor did a great job of walking me through it. He advised me before he did anything so I was expecting each and every movement. He hit my foot with two shots of freezing spray and then inserted the needle right in the sad face (above), then he told me it would burn a little, then more, then this is as bad as it will get, then he pulled the needle out. All in all, less than 10 seconds. He mixes the cortisone with lidocaine so now its just sort of numb.

On another note, about doctors...they're weird. I am noticing doctors have all this information in their offices about health care reform. My doc has these little flyers laying around in the office about how health care is going to be suffering in the future and that Medicare needs help...makes me realize doctors can be radicals too. Lately, I heard about a doctor who posted a flyer at his door saying that if you voted for Obama, you might as well leave. My doctor may or may not be as radical but I did notice his car in the parking lot had a bumper sticker that said "Vote them all out." Who? The current guys or the old guys? How old is that car? Oy. Very confusing.

And he has weird art:

This is just a small chunk of an 8-foot piece of art in the waiting room. He also has 4 or 5 other smaller varieties. In this one, it looks like a small town is being pelted by apples and marbles. In another, something that looks like Cheerios are falling from the sky. I totally do not get it. The color palate is weird and at the top of this picture a train moves across the sky and I'm not even sure why. I need to fake a foot injury to get back there and ask.

2010-04-12 Juice!

I had to have the juice!

I'm just returning from Sun Harvest with a couple of jugs of my favorite cranberry-orange juice that they make, just for me, in their citrusy factory. Just look at this:
glory

Isn't this a tasty "buffet" of fresh juices? Lemonade, orange, strawberry-orange, grapefruit and more...it's a brilliant idea. People swarm around this machine and just glory in the fresh flavor and then rush over to the freezers, grabbing gallons and heading for the checkout, whereupon most people also get a key lime soft-serve ice cream cone.

I am not a tourist, but I am a sucker. Right near the juice, they had a big sign for Honey Tangerines...AND they had plates of tasters.


Oh, I had to taste. And it was good. So these people are officially brilliant marketers...I had one taste of that sweet sweet fruit, and I bought 2 lbs. Yeah. If you want me to buy anything just let me try it first. And get ready to man the cash register.

2010-04-11 Pretty Trash

Today, the ol' dogs are barking after so much time on my feet yesterday. Really its just one of my dogs...the long-suffering heel of my right foot. Just having this pain reminds me that my trip to Europe is going to be marred by pain if my upcoming cortisone shot doesn't do the trick. I'm just sitting at my little beauty area in the bathroom, checking out which potions and lotions I no longer use. And fishing out those I'd like to use but forgot I had. I don't know how many thousands I have spent in my lifetime on masques, moisturisers, and cleansers. I wonder if I could buy a car with it.

I guess I've settled into some basics but I truly am a dabbler. I can't help promising myself I will unfailingly exfoliate on a weekly basis...I do it for a month and then lost interest. None of it makes me look like a supermodel, so what's the use. All I can really be counted on to do is wash my face and slap on some lotion.

So, some of these goods are headed for the trash or recycling bin today. No refunds. No returns.

2010-04-10 Memory Walk

We did the Memory Walk today! Woot! It was a beautiful day and we raised $700 for the Alzheimer's Foundation Here's my mom, dad, sister and niece, all ready for the big walk.

Its interesting to go to these walks because there's a lot of forced enthusiasam. Which is fine, but it's not really for me. But we had fun, made money and enjoyed the day.


We finished the day having tea at Serenity Tea House for my nephew's fiance's birthday. What a beautiful spread....

2010-04-09 Getting Prepped to Walk

My family and I signed up for the Alzheimer's Foundation Memory Walk tomorrow. I've got my t-shirt already and all I need to do is get in bed so I can be up early for the fun. So far we raised about $700 -- woot! Just hoping my foot doesnt hurt too much...

2010-04-08 Butter Poses

I dogsat overnight and got a cute shot of Butter, missing his family. Butter is a super-sweet dog and I love his face here.

2010-04-07 Minis

There's nothing cuter than mini-personal products. I hardly every buy them, of course, because they're not great environmentally, but in preparation for the big Rome/Paris trip, I need a few things.
I drooled over all the little tiny versions of my favorite things, and threw them into the basket. I know our hotel is room is going to be impossibly tiny, so I feel sort of justified. : )

2010-04-06 Nooks on the Causeway

We have a local island named Sanibel, which has a sort of causeway which must be taken to reach it. It's a $7 toll road so I don't go out there a lot but it's really my favorite place to drive. If I could, I would go over the bridge a lot because you can pull over and park and just look at the water. It's really nice.

But just before the bridge, I noticed that at some point, someone has created these little nooks along the water where you can pull your car off the road and sort of sit in these little private beach areas. The beach is tiny...only about 6-10 feet wide at any point, but its like a little corner of the world where you can enjoy the water alone. I've never used them but I'd like to. Maybe one day I need to take the day off, grab a chair and a book and sit here and contemplate the water.

2010-04-05 Find the Birdie

I went for some dinner and when leaving the parking lot, it occurred to me to stop and look at this random stump sitting in a field. When I pulled up, I found that a random bird was just sort of hiding behind the stump. If I hadn't looked closer I would have missed him. That happens sometimes.

2010-04-04 Easter Gang

Spent Easter with the family on the East Coast of Florida at my sister's house. Its always awesome to see everyone...here is a pic of me with my nephew Jamie (left) and niece Christina (right) with their SOs, Natalya and Ross. We're just chillaxin' after stuffing our faces.


My favorite thing at my sister's house is this little statue. He used to sit at the end of their pool when they lived in the house my brother-in-law grew up in. He's one of those little statues that looks like he's peeing into the pool. Classic.

He now has a place of honor on the patio...he's lived a long life!


Here's the whole family:

2010-04-03 My Pie(s)

I baked some pies!

Easter is tomorrow and I was assigned the job of making the salad and the dessert.

(Notice there's no pictures of salads here...but it was delicious also. Spinach, goat cheese, cranberries, pecans and poppy seed vinaigrette.)

I usually like to make a couple of options -- I gotta feed 12-15 people most of the time, so unless the dessert is huge, I usually make two "things."

This year I had an abundance of strawberries so I made a Strawberry Pie. And just to keep it Floridian, I also made a Citrus Pie. Both turned out great and I really enjoyed making them. I don't know which I liked more...so I tried to taste both of them frequently!

2010-04-02 Mailing the Recycling

YAY! I found someone who would like the old camera I had, which, now that I bought a new one, I am never likely to use again.

My friend, who is coming to Italy and France with me, wanted to see if I was going to keep it, and I gladly told her I'd pop it into a box today and let her have it. There was nothing really wrong with it, except that I wanted more zoom. So, I'm super excited to know that this camera is not going to sit in a drawer doing nothing. Hopefully she'll get some use from it. So I swung by the PO today to get it to her ASAP! Woot for recycling.

2010-04-01 No Fooling

Today is April Fools Day and I don't give a damn. I'm not much for being fooled. I find all this effort companies make towards distributing "fake news" a waste of time. I did see one that made me laugh...an IT company did a recommendation of IT operations during a zombie attack. Kinda cute...thought they missed a couple of good oppotunities for a joke in the video. Nerds aren't that funny.

The company I work for usually has to up it's guard on April Fools day because some companies choose to use us to get their fake news into the public eye -- sometimes these companies don't know that they've crossed a line and in those cases we'd have to squash it. For example, it would not be a good idea if a biotech company decided to announce they're going to clone an infamous German dictator as an April Fools joke. Not appropriate, really. Again, nerds aren't always that funny. (I haven't seen that exact example, of course.)

Anyway. I like jokes. Just not stupid ones.

Here's a completely unrelated pic.