Working The Room

Time for a tax increase

2011-07-10T09:58:00.001-04:00

Yes.....that's what I said. Time to raise federal taxes on everyone. This morning I sat listening to the Sunday morning news talk shows and they talked about how the United States in the first time in its history may have to default on payments for its debts. This caused me to think about where that money was spent.

Let's begin by pushing the wars to the side of the table. We all know that because the U.S. can't stay out of everyone's strife and struggles.....we have been financially drained with no paybacks from the countries we have "saved". What does that leave us with? Well.....the other areas where we have spent money are for all the special requests that each state has for new parks, libraries, schools, museums, environment research, etc etc etc. Somebody had to request those things and it is my belief that if Congress can be blamed for pork barrel spending then we should also accept part of that blame.

Look, we are not going to get out of this debt without adding more money out of our pocket. I agree that we have to pay more in gas and food so that pinches everyone's pocket already. Trust me....I know! However, if we do not bring more money in, we are never going to get out of mess we are currently facing.

Now there is one tax that I would like to see go away if income taxes are raised. Eliminating the Estate Tax - the taxes that you have to pay on monies that you inherit from parents, spouses etc - would bring more money into your pocket that is tax free. I know that those inheritance times may only happen one or two times in your lifetime, but why pay on that inheritance when that money was already taxed a lot during its own lifetime? Makes no sense.

So as the clocks ticks down and the IMF (the world) sits back and waits in anticipation on some kind of cataclysmic event, I have to wonder as Americans........can we do more?

Casey Anthony

2011-07-05T19:00:00.001-04:00

Well, how about that folks? She was found innocent of the three counts of murder and manslaughter. I have to say....part of me was shocked but the other half was not. I listened to closing arguments and without more evidence that showed that she put that duct tape on her child........it was going to be tough to get Murder 1. I thought that they would get her on a lesser count, but clearly.....she was smarter than any of else realized.

At this point, after spending three years in jail already........she will walk free on Thursday. Ahhhh....but where will she go? Do you think her family was really ok with being dragged through the mud during the trial? She has her freedom but at what cost? It is a bit bittersweet methinks.

Her family will never get the answer on what happened to their granddaughter. Some may think that the parents would cover for her but how could they? The crime was heinous if it was committed by her. These folks seemed like stand-up folks. I don't buy the sexual abuse claims for a minute. All lies manufactured by the "lying Queen". Casey Anthony wanted attention and she got it for three long miserable years.

And now.........she's free.

Ahhhh....the holiday weekend - July 4th

2011-07-02T17:02:00.000-04:00

Day Two of the holiday weekend and I have already traveled 700+ miles! I took Friday off and drove over to St. Louis for the day to spend some celebratory time with one of my favorite aunts.

So here I am at home....a little tired and a bit hungry. I stopped by one of my favorite chicken places on the way home so I am waiting for a friend of mine to stop over and join me for some fried chicken and beer. Lovely way to spend a holiday weekend night.

Tomorrow....I will spend a little time in my backyard. I am thinking about putting in a fire pit a little closer to my house so it can be enjoyed by all. I have one already but it is on the corner of my lot.....down a small but steep hill. My friends wouldn't even be able to manage it more less my family. So I am planning something a little closer, more convenient. Perhaps I will have my act together enough to have it in place this weekend. Hmmm....maybe.....but not likely.

Here's hoping that you.....wherever you are......are having a lovely weekend.

Running and more running

2011-06-23T17:51:00.000-04:00

Today was a day of running of all kinds. I spent most of the day with my dad running him to and from the medical center so he could have some tests done on his lung. This alone turned out to be a day long adventure especially for him. Long story short......he is resting comfortably at home after being poked and prodded.

And now......I am heading to the park to run my c25k (w3d3)for the day. Just waiting for my iPhone to charge so there is no chance of it leaving me "musicless" during my run. Besides....if I wait a little bit I buy myself some cooler temperatures. I miss the days of running in 55 degree weather. Those were good days!

Ok.....off to my running!

Work tomorrow

2011-06-19T17:57:00.000-04:00

The last two words that anyone wants to hear when coming off a week's vacation.

I just went through 8 days of work email to get a jump on my day tomorrow so it isn't as hideous as I would imagine it will be. The confusion is not as bad as I thought from the emails that I have read. Now I might hear otherwise tomorrow but today....it looks like folks were challenged but not overwhelmed. There are a few folks who simply can't follow directions even when they are spelled out in a document written at a 5th grade level. HA! And these are the folks that we are allowing to make application changes to our environment! Amazing!

Is it too early to say.....is it Friday yet?

Last day in Boston/Cape - Airport

2011-06-15T16:07:00.003-04:00

We left P-Town about 9:30 this morning for the trek back to Logan Airport. It has been a nice relaxing trip. My head feels clearer and I feel like I can now redirect my energies to things that have drained me. Of course.....the sun was shining most of the drive back (and it is still out here at Logan). We had two sunny days to speak of.....our first day and our last day. It's gotta be Murphy's Law. :( I packed sunscreen not dreaming that I would never even contemplate applying it. Ahhhhh......such is life. Tomorrow I will get up, cut my front yard and then go to the pool for a little Indiana sunshine.

My ever faithful pooch Kip will return to me tomorrow night after spending a week at mini-boot camp. He needed a little refresher course on how to be a well behaved 92 pound doggie. I missed him every time I saw a dog in P-Town. The town was crawling with canines so I thought of him often. He has a few pig ears coming home with me so he will have a nice little treat waiting for him.

It's a little after 4pm. Our flight leaves at 5:50 or so. We got here about 2:45 so we have been here a little while. You never know about the Boston traffic so it was probably a good thing that we got here early. The "accommodations" at Logan are quite nice. Lots of power stations to plug into, nice comfy seats and free wi-fi for those of us who feel the need to blog a few lines. It's lovely, just lovely.

A quick glance at the weather radar shows rain in the Cincinnati tri-state area. YAY! More clouds and rain.........I love it! Perhaps I should get a cocktail before I get on the plane.
Hmmppffffff!

Day 3 - Cape Cod

2011-06-12T09:56:00.001-04:00

After a fabulous day with friends in Boston, our vacation takes us to Cape Cod for the remainder of our stay. Yesterday was an incredibly rainy and cloudy day in Boston, but the good companionship made up for the lack of good weather. Today looks to be much more of the same except much chillier.

I have relinquished all driving responsibilities this trip much to the surprise of Lyn who is used to me wanting to drive everywhere! Currently we are on the rental shuttle that has taken us well away from the airport to pick up our car. Who knew that we would go all the way to Revere? hmmmmm....

Next stop....the Cape.

Day 2 - Boston

2011-06-11T09:43:00.000-04:00

Well.....here I am in the lobby of the Westin Waterfront just killing a little time on my blog. Our first day in Boston kept us busy with visiting some of my regular "haunts" such as the Union Oyster House and Mike's Pastry. It is a must stop for me! After that we spent a bit of time walking around downtown Boston.

We went over to the North Chuch so that we could "right" the Sarah Palin facts that she was spewing on her stop here a few days ago. What a piece of work she is! She has her defenders and I still don't know how any decent educated woman can support someone who lacks the educational foundation to speak about even the most minute things! I just don't get it and maybe that is what some of her supporters would say of me! Ha! I will happily give any other Republican woman a listen if she is even 25% more eloquent in her responses to life's easy and difficult questions. Bring it!

By the way......one fact that Sarah Palin missed last week. Paul Revere was a Bruins fan! He was! I have proof!

Today.....we head back into Boston for the Pride Parade. It should be a full day and I am really looking forward to it! Unfortunately the weather looks like it is going to suck (rainy and chilly) but I am willing to roll along with it!

Just love this blog!

2011-06-07T20:07:00.000-04:00

Ok....I just have to share how much I like this new (well new to me) blog that I found. C'mon people! Who doesn't like Grilled Cheese?

Grilled Cheese Social

I love the simplicity of the blog and the many blog topics dedicated to Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! You have not had them like this so get on over to this site and check it out!

Ramblings of a woman ready for a vacation

2011-06-06T20:49:00.000-04:00

Yes......I start my vacation on Friday. Heading to my favorite spot in the U.S......Boston MA. So these are my ramblings as I moan and groan my way through 3 more days of work.

Sarah Palin - still an idiot. It's funny. Every time she embarrasses herself in front of the entire world, those who support her attack President Obama for all of his shortcomings. When she is quiet....they are quiet. All political leaders have had gaffes, mistakes and blunders. Why can't they just call her out on it just once?
Great news! While I am on vacation, Kip will be spending a week at the trainer's getting a refresher course on manners. He is all of 16 months and he is feeling his "oats". It is so nice to know that I can fully relax and not worry about him. Phew!
I had to skip two days of my c25k program in the last week due to a sore Achilles heel. I decided to play co-ed softball this summer and of course.....I am doing a lot of sprints which have left me feeling all of my 45 years in three weeks. Ugh. My grandmother was right when she told me "don't ever get old".
I am bringing a book along with me on vacation. I'm not a huge reader but when I do pick one I like non-fiction stuff. I chose the Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton book "Furious Love" to read while I lounge around and eat chowdah and lobster!
Speaking of chowdah.....I will be sitting at my favorite chowdah spot in downtown Boston around Noon on Friday - The Union Oyster House. I have not found a bowl that I like any better. I have heard that there is a place in P-Town that has pretty good chowdah. Hmmmm we shall see!

So what are your plans for the weekend? Relaxing? Yardwork? Chowdah?!

Somebody get me to the airport!

Paul

2011-05-31T21:39:00.000-04:00

I have thought about my brother many times since he passed in October 2008. Many times is probably an understatement. It is interesting how the new "normal" comes to be after you lose someone. Things seem to evolve in different ways. The void is clearly still there but like the changing seasons.....things keep growing and changing.

I miss my brother most when I am with my parents. I miss being able to reach out and talk to him about what's going on with my parents lives. I am still trying to get a handle on what an only child feels like now. Oh I think I am understanding the stress. No problem there. Sometimes the loss of my brother feels like my left arm is gone but somehow its still there. That probably doesn't make much sense I know.

I see how his friends - who I thought were pretty good guys - simply not call or check-in on my mother anymore. They seemed so attentive at first but now.....the silence from them disturbs even her. Maybe it's the difference between Mars and Venus.......women are a bit more sensitive in that way. Maybe it is simply life evolving and people moving on from a sad experience.

Anyway, my two cents on a hot and humid evening. Summer is here, the Reds are struggling, time to take a vacation, mow the lawn, walk the dog........life slowly moves on in the new normal.

Casey Anthony Trial

2011-05-31T20:38:00.001-04:00

Has anybody else been following this circus over the last three years? I gotta say that I have been watching this drama since day one and I have never doubted that Casey Anthony is guilty of the death of her two year old daughter. This is some crazy stuff!

Let's start with the first revelation - she doesn't tell anyone that her child is missing for 31 days. I mean....who does that?? And then.....her parents have to hunt her down to find out where their granddaughter is just to find out that her mother has no clue where she is! Oh wait.....Zanny the Nanny took her. That's right. This was revelation #2. The nanny had her last and she ran off with her. Uhh yeah.....that turned out to be a lie. She then took the police on a wild goose chase all over town with her lies - all of which were found out by the police. Then came the party photos, the boyfriends, etc etc. Her home computer had been used to search for recipes for chlorophyll. I do not have children but I have to ask those who have children.........would you sedate your child to that extreme if you thought you could get away with a few hours of peace? I mean.....I can understand pressures of raising a child but what type of person goes to that extreme?

I've been watching Nancy Grace every evening to catch up on the testimonies during the trial. I have to say I have been pretty irritated with the grandparents as they stood by Casey Anthony all of this time. Today.....my heart breaks for them because they are really really suffering. Clearly, the jury has to see that something doesn't make sense here. As the trial goes on, Casey Anthony sits there watching it like an obstinate, spoiled little child. Oh yeah.....she's crying....but I think her tears are just an overflow of the frustration of all of the lies she has perpetrated. She is in so deep she can't dig herself out now.

I hope that the jury can see the honest raw emotions coming from the grandparents and send this girl away for a good long time. Does anyone else have any thoughts about this trial?

So what's next for Ohio State?

2011-05-30T10:14:00.000-04:00

I hated to hear about Jim Tressel resigning from Ohio State this morning. With NCAA violations hanging over the team's head, he decided to vamoose before he was fired. The "crime" itself was really minor in grand scheme of things - players selling trophies & awards to raise money for tattoos, etc etc. It was the cover up on the part of Tressel (to protect his idiot players) that killed him. He knew what was going on and instead of answering truthfully to the NCAA when he was asked directly about it........he denied knowing anything of what was going on. It looks like this wasn't the first year that his players were selling stuff and the more those stories were leaked........he had no other recourse.

OSU loses a good coach and I am not so sure that someone from his coaching staff can do a better job. I'd like to see them go outside and bring in a heavier hitter. The team has a lot of talent that has yet to be exploited under Tressel's conservative game play. I hear Urban Meyer is available. I wonder what it would take to get him to Columbus?

Either way.....this team has some housecleaning to do in regards to integrity. The star players were selling off sacred trophies just to gain a few bucks for whatever. Oh yeah.....some claimed early they were trying to help their families but that was squashed after we heard about the tattoo purchases. I have no respect for those players and I am glad that some of them are in their last year of play.

I will continue to support the Bucks and look forward to the beginning of football season however bittersweet that will be. The whole mess smells bad and the foul odor will unfortunately cover this team for the first five games of the season. I hope it is something that the Bucks put behind them so they can salvage a half way decent season.

Children on bicycles

2011-05-25T19:07:00.000-04:00

Dangerous and unsteady. That's all I can say.

When I was a child, my mom and dad were pretty close by on my first few trips around the neighborhood on my bike. I guess it was more out of my own welfare than anyone elses. Too bad that parents don't watch their kids as closely these days.

I was in the middle of my W3D2 of c25k yesterday afternoon when I was "taken out" by an eight year old boy on his bike. Seriously. I was hit from behind without any warning that the little devil was creeping up behind me! I went down pretty hard but then....so did the kid on his bike. Hmmpf. At least he was wearing a helmet. I received a beautiful ostrich egg size lump on my upper thigh. No skinned or scraped up skin....just a painful lump that will likely turn into the ugliest bruise known to man.

The child's father.....yes...he was jogging some ways behind his son and witnessed the whole sorry scene.....was apologetic and asked if I was ok. Of course I said yes and I told the boy to yell loudly when he intends to pass me the next time. I continued my run despite the fact that I was a bit shaken up. They both steered clear of me on the walking path for the rest of my 30 minute run.

So....no pain no gain? This experience gives that new meaning. Beware of children on bikes my friends. They are quiet, stealth-like and deadly!

Get along little doggy

2011-05-22T09:16:00.000-04:00

This seems to be a theme for the last two weekends for me and my dog. Kip has had an on and off week with some digestive issues and I have been moving forward with c25k. For both of us it has been a slow week. Kip took in some rice this morning at 7am.....and at 8:45 has managed to keep it down and in without an issue. I started my W3D1 in the c25k program. I didn't think I would be able to run 3 minutes straight but I did.....not once but twice. Yay!

So it is measured success at this point but we are still moving forward. Hopefully, Kip will continue to progress during the day so he can get a bit more of a meal this afternoon. Kip likes to eat things outside so at some point he got a hold of something that has his digestive tract doing flip flops. Some days I think I own a goat instead of a dog.

I have managed to turn few more folks on to the benefits of the Couch to 5k program. I am down 27 pounds so far. Not all of that is due to c25k but I can attribute 16 pounds to it. My goal is to lose an additional 13 pounds by August 6th. It is much needed weight that needs to go away. I think that I am losing more inches than pounds at this point. It is obvious in my clothes. Unfortunately, I work at a company that still clings to the "business professional" attire (my company is more concerned about "presentation" while the rest of the world is more concerned about how well you provide your services and how much your services cost) so shopping for new work clothes could be expensive if I buy every time the waist in my pants loosens. In the end, this is all about me and my clothes will catch up once I get close to a good maintenance weight.

As for today.....time for me and Kip to move forward and continue our progress. Tomorrow is another day.

Oprah

2011-05-17T19:13:00.000-04:00

What comes to mind when you think of Oprah Winfrey? Some key words that come to my mind - powerful, strong, confident, leader and communicator. I must say that the world is a different place since Oprah first took to the airways. I mean.....Phil Donahue was still on the air! With her last show coming up very soon, I don't think there is anyone in the wings who has the kahunas to take her place.

I can't remember the early years of Oprah very well. I was 20 when she aired her first show. I was in college at that point and just didn't have much time to sit down at 4pm in the afternoon and watch a talk show. I was busy with other things. Over the years, I have managed to catch a few shows here and there but again....by the time I got home from work, she was off the air.

I guess this is why I have enjoyed watching the OWN network. The variety of shows have been interesting and I actually have had time to sit down and enjoy a few of them. She's gotten some bad press lately about the ratings of her new network, but I think that once she has her daily shows completed she will be able to grow OWN and prove that it can be successful. I mean.....she's got the golden touch. Look how many books she has managed to race up the best seller's list. I am guilty of buying at least one just because she recommended it. I figured if she had time to read it so did I.

Here's to Oprah and her life after the Oprah Winfrey Show. Methinks she has more to come......

Just another rainy Sunday

2011-05-15T11:50:00.000-04:00

It has been quite the week. I am busy with a big project at work, still running the c25k and now I am sitting in my garage with my ailing dog. He came down with a serious case of the "pukes" this morning so until his stomach seems to be better. He is not going back into the house. Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do. Right? I must say that blogging in the garage is a unique experience.

So what can I say about the Couch to 5K program?! I am into week five. I have had to repeat Week 1 twice and I am repeating Week 2 three times just to get myself acclimated to this whole program. While I am running, my body is still fighting the whole idea. It is telling my brain to not come up with any more bright ideas! On the upside though....I have lost 14 pounds in four weeks! Isn't that crazy? So all of the aches and pains of running are really paying off huge in inches and pounds. I am actually looking forward to doing the program on Sun/Tues/Thur. It is crazy but I will keep it up because I am seeing fantastic results!

This is my last week at Week 2 (five min warm up followed by 6 reps of 90 secs jogging and two mins walking ending with a five minute cool down). I have to push myself into Week 3 which will really stress and test my abilities and my body. It's something ungodly like two reps each of 90 secs jogging/90 secs walking and 3 mins jogging and 3 mins walking. Yeah. Jog for three minutes? So soon? Eeeeeek!

Anyway.....I will look and feel good for my vacation in June. Lyn and I are heading to Boston Pride weekend to catch the parade and then its off to the Cape for some seafood and R&R.

Sooooo looking forward to June!

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T10:23:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to any mothers who may read my humble little blog. I have found readership to be down since I stopped blogging last year. Ahhh well....it is what it is.

It is a blah day here in the Cincinnati area. After a fairly nice day on Friday.....the clouds crept back in yesterday and have hunkered down this morning. Luckily, there are no plans for grilling out dinner for Mom. We are heading out to the restaurant of her choice. We are keeping it fairly simple and avoiding the showers.

I ran the c25k program again this morning. I am still jogging slow but steady. I am into my fourth week of this interval jog/walk program and I must say I look forward to it on Sun/Tue & Thurs. I had to repeat the second week of the program - as I did with the first week - but I think once I lose more weight I will find that I am repeating less. In the last three weeks I have lost eight pounds so something is working.

I am going to have a complete physical this coming Wednesday to ensure I am on track with my new healthy living. I've been having some interesting pains starting in my upper chest and I want to have that checked out as well. They are not sharp.....dull and only last about 10 seconds. The best part is that it doesn't occur during my exercise routines and I don't have one family member who has ever fallen over with a heart attack! It's a "come and go" type of thing. I just want to eliminate it as a serious issue so I can pick up my jogging routine. Got to keep my eyes on the target dammit! Life is good.

Make it a great day with your Moms, Mother-in-Laws, etc!

Rain

2011-05-06T19:00:00.003-04:00

Ok.....I have tried to not complain about all of this rain that we have gotten so far this Spring because I knew that it would stop eventually. Now I am not so sure.

In April....we had about five sunny days free of rain and clouds. The other days......cloudy and lots of rain. I now can rest easy knowing that I do indeed have a dry basement. With this much rain.....if it was coming in it would have by now.

Has anyone else experienced it by the buckets this year? I have heard the East Coast has had a nice Spring. I am hoping that it continues to be nice up there when I head to Boston next month. It will be nice to spend some days with the sun shining on my face instead of all of this rain!

Ahhh well.....today it was partly sunny and tomorrow we are back to showers. That's ok......tomorrow I am treating myself to Fried Chicken at the Old Brick. It can rain all it likes tomorrow afternoon.....I will be happy.

Third week of Couch to 5K

2011-05-01T20:41:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that I am beginning my third week of the C25K program. For those of you that need to be caught up on all this, I decided that to accelerate my weight loss program and road to healthy living, I would begin to run. The C25K program (iPhone or Droid) walks you through a 9 week interval program of jogging and walking so that you can actually run 3.1 miles afterward in 30 minutes.

I had to repeat week one for my second week. I just was not ready to move ahead. I have run on the sunny days (1), cloudy days and two rainy days to move forward with my goal. This morning, I started on W2D1 (week 2 day one) part of the program. I was amazed that it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Am I getting used to this?

My scale at home says that this is working. My clothes are saying this is working. My body after the run says it is working. Wait.....my body screams a lot too during and after the run! It is not easy for me, but I am pushing through it. There is one thing that you have to know about me........once I am fully engaged in something, there is no one who can stop me but me.

So I am happy with the progress thus far. I am pushing forward with the program and my eating habits. I have lost 20 pounds so far and I am confident that I will drop a few more this week since I have two more days to hit the pavement.

Am I a runner now? Only time will tell.

The Royal Wedding - Wills & Kate

2011-04-27T19:23:00.000-04:00

So where were you when Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married? It was thirty years ago folks. Really, it was! It doesn't seem possible that it was that long ago.

I was a freshman in high school. It was an early morning on that day too and the middle of the week no less. It was the talk of the day back then. Of course we know more about their relationship now than we did back then. Diana.....a local girl from an aristocratic family, no college and worked as a nanny. A pure soul with no earthly idea that she was marrying someone who was in love with another. It didn't take long for her to be unhappy and the pictures looking back at their life together portrays the thick air of misery. But what a happy wedding day it was on that day - like something from Cinderella.

Fast forward 30 years......and this time it's a bit different. Prince William and Kate have had years to get to know each other, appreciate each other and grow to respect each other. No one can accuse the guy of rushing things. Yikes! Kate is well educated and does not come from an aristocratic family. Just a normal girl in the world really. Normal changes on Friday for good.

I am really looking forward to catching it on TV. I mean....how can you not watch? If you miss it in the morning, it will be rerun all day long and then rerun during prime time that night. This is the next monarch-in-waiting and one day he and she will be King and Queen. What's not to love about the spectacle and the pomp and circumstance? It is a nice distraction to all the other things going on in the world that we are weary of hearing reported. A little good news isn't hard to swallow every now and then.....is it?

Prelude to "the wedding"

2011-04-25T20:56:00.001-04:00

LONDON - A British guard has been removed from his duties at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton after calling the bride-to-be a "stuck up cow" on his Facebook page.

Scots Guardsman Cameron Reilly, 18, was axed from the April 29 event after using the social networking website to launch a foul-mouthed rant against Middleton.

Nice.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T08:44:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter to those who read my blog!

I believe that it has been raining 40 days and 40 nights here in the Cincinnati tri-state area. It has been quite gloomy - very green but gloomy. Not a particularly good time for an Easter egg hunt. I don't envy the parents who forge ahead with their egg hunt plans despite the weather. It will be a mess.

The whole Easter basket thing has been missed by me as an adult. I can remember getting an Easter basket from Mums and Dadums and then heading over to my grandparents for more Easter basket goodies. Fabulous time for the candy industry - not so fun for the parents who will spend the rest of the day waiting for the sugar rush to end in their otherwise sweet and well-mannered children. Ahhh.....good times.

My favorite "eggs" were chocolate marshmallow. Mmmm....to this day, I can easily finish off a box of my favorite brand - Papas & Sons - located in Covington Ky. I wish they had a website because I would direct everyone to their site. The chocolate marshmallow eggs they make are small and simply fabulous. For those of you on Weight Watchers......1 point a piece. That's right. I know that because many moons ago I was on WW and I needed to know this basic fact so I could indulge without guilt. But I digress.....

Papas & Sons make at least a dozen flavors of their eggs. They have peanut butter, opera creams, maple creams, etc etc. There is one to meet every foodies craving and they are available in local stores. My grandmother pinged Papas quite heavily for our baskets. It was she who introduced me to the chocolate marshmallow egg and I found out years later that this was her favorite too. This explained why I never had any of these in the baskets from my parents. Grandma made her baskets herself and the ones I received from my parents included toys and other fun items besides candy. Usually the pre-wrapped cellophane baskets from the local grocers.

Despite the variety of baskets that you indulge in today, let us remember that it is not all about the Easter bunny and all of his tasty treats, there is religious aspect to this day which is the basis of this celebration for all Christians - the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Happy Easter!

Thursday ramblings

2011-04-21T19:41:00.000-04:00

Just a few odd and end ramblings this evening. I simply don't have one topic that I could talk all night about so I will choose a couple.

I found out tonight that my dog Kip, the 92 lb Chesapeake Bay Retriever, likes Brussel Sprouts.....uncooked Brussel Sprouts. While that seems a little odd to me that a dog would like something with such a strong flavor, he has a high food drive and will try just about anything....so go figure. His owner likes them cooked by the way. :)

I completed my third day of Couch to 5k. I don't like running and it is more strenuous than my spinner bike. I got through it though and the app said I jogged/walked 1.84 miles and burned 437 calories. Weeeeee!

I have been taking part in a weight challenge at work for the last eight weeks. Tomorrow is not only the signal that Lent is ending.....the weight challenge ends also. I am hoping for a big finish because I have only lost 7.5 lbs in eight weeks and I am very disappointed. According to my clothes however, I have lost some serious inches. I have to keep telling myself that I actually have lost about 12+ lbs since 2/1 so I need to be grateful. However! I want 2.5 lbs more!! Not too much to ask right?

I am looking forward to my trip to Boston (my favorite place to be!) and the Cape in June. I have bought a book and I am ready to chill out and not worry about anything. Just walk the beach and think about the meanings of life............ahhhhhh! Oh yeah....and chowdah! Lots of chowdah!

That ends my brief ramblings for the evening. Kip is getting restless and likely wants to go outside for a bit. He's a good boy and my faithful companion. Who like Brussel Sprouts as much as me!

Tuna Steaks

2011-04-18T19:41:00.000-04:00

Love them! I have found my most favorite way to have tuna salad. Find a nice tuna steak at your local seafood shop or grocer......I prefer one that has a peppery coating on the sides of the steak....and then throw that baby on the grill! When cooked to perfection, a cooled tuna steak makes homemade tuna salad something spectacular. There really is no better way to enjoy tuna.

I have been purchasing the tuna (usually Albacore) in the foil packets instead of the awful cans. Did you know that the canned tuna actually can contain several different types of tuna? Predominately, Skipjack accounts for most of the canned light tuna and contains less Mercury than yellow fin and albacore. Yep....limit the amount of albacore. It may look great and seem healthier than the gray stuff in a can but its not. Anyway....I am sure that my tuna steak isn't any more safe.

So the next time you want to make some tuna salad, start with a Tuna steak on the grill instead of reaching for the can opener. It is very tasty and you will not be disappointed!

Running

2011-04-17T18:42:00.001-04:00

I'm not a good runner. I never have been. As a child playing soccer and softball, I was never the quickest up and down the field or rounding the bases. Thankfully in softball I didn't need to be quick because I was gifted with a solid bat. Even at my healthiest weight running just wasn't a gift that I was given in life.

As I have said before, I have been shedding the pounds over the last few months. Today I decided to download an iPhone app that seemed to be built just for me - Couch to 5K. The premise of this app is to get you up and moving in a running/walking interval program over a 9 week period culminating in your ability to run a 5k. Again.......culminating in your ability to run 3.1 miles without stopping.

Really.

I downloaded this app with much optimism. My feeling is the old adage "no pain no gain" is one that I need to live with if I want to be successful with my weight loss. And what better than a program that plays to my weakness? Now I don't expect to actually run a 5K after this is all said and done but its nice to think that I would be able to do so.

I tried it out this afternoon and it wasn't fun for me but by the time it was over I was doing better in my run/walk reps. Basically, in the beginning, you perform 8 sets of 30 second runs and 60 second walks. The program is set up for a three times a week workout. At some point the length of the runs will increase and I will be walking less. Oh goody. At the end of my workout, I looked like I had had a good workout and I was glad I did it.

Do I really think I will run a 5k after this? I can't see the light at the end of that tunnel as of yet. However, I will give this program a shot and reap the health benefits from it for now. I'm not ready to ask miracles of myself just yet.

Bookstore Saturday

2011-04-16T12:22:00.000-04:00

It's a perfectly gloomy rainy Saturday. An ideal day for hibernating in Barnes and Noble. It's a past time I thoroughly enjoy from time to time. I'm not an avid reader mind you but I do enjoy days at BN perusing books and purchasing the most interesting non-fiction reads.

Today I am purchasing a "beach book" for my upcoming New England vacation in June.I have chosen Furious Love as the perfect book amongst one or two other books.

It is a great day to be here. Did someone say its raining?

Fried Chicken

2011-04-14T21:30:00.005-04:00

I've been eating less and exercising more since the beginning of February. Just trying to shed some unwanted pounds accumulated from the stress and strains in my life. Whenever I find myself "back on the wagon", I always come up with one stark raving mad craving.....Fried Chicken.

Now its not like I eat Fried Chicken a lot in my less than healthy diet. I do like it and when I have a chance to eat it I want to eat the best fried chicken available. Crispy, a little juicy with just the right balance of spices. Mmmmmm.....

I am lucky.....well....some may say not so lucky....to live in the Midwest. Here is the Midwest you are going to find some of the best Fried Chicken around. We know what's good and tasty and I am lucky to live in Indiana where they do succeed at chicken dishes.

I have a goal on this diet...umm...change of eating...phase 1. If I can lose at least 20 pounds by May 7th, I am going out for Fried Chicken at a local establishment called The Old Brick Tavern. It's located about 30 minutes from my house up the highway in Sunman Indiana. It's a little hole in the wall family establishment and they do fried foods right. Their Fried Chicken is outstanding and well worth the drive. You can get a whole chicken for $10. They cut it up just like your mom does at home. Yes.....there is a back piece and a wishbone. What do they do with the wishbone at KFC?

Anywho.....you can get a whole chicken (among other lovely things on their menu) on a big platter with a pitcher of beer. Mmmmm.....It is a real treat. I suspect that they use half flour and half cornmeal as their breading. Don't know if there is any buttermilk involved but the breading has a lovely flavor and is just crispy enough to be entertaining. Hungry yet?

I am looking forward to taking my friends - who I have stirred into a frenzy about this chicken - with me on my FC excursion. I mean......it will be that much better eaten amongst friends. For my blog readers, I will post a picture of the large platter of goodness before it is completely devoured. :)

It doesn't get any better than that.

Letters

2011-04-12T20:10:00.000-04:00

Email.

Don't get me wrong - I love the fact that I can communicate with someone immediately. I mean...that's what communications is all about these days right? Instant gratification. Breaking news on TV or the Internet allows no delay in getting a message to all of us.

I may be sentimental, but to me there is nothing like a good handwritten letter. It conveys much more these days to the receiver of the letter. It says that you sat down, took time out of your day to convey a meaningful message to someone. Now before anyone says that emails can be meaningful too......yes they can fit into the meaningful category as well. However, in this day of "instant on", I still think it means more to the receiver to receive a handwritten letter. I will go out on a limb to say it states that the person is important to you - they mean something to you. You value them enough to take a moment to hand write a letter.

I have a copy of a letter sent from my great-grandmother to my grandfather when he was overseas in WWI. Timeless words during a period when getting the mail from the mailman meant everything! It was our only source for good news or bad news from family or friends. I believe that this has all been lost on society today.

How do you feel about letter writing? What does it mean to you?

Riverside Korean

2011-04-11T20:40:00.003-04:00

So we went to Riverside Korean after all and I was very impressed by the cuisine. This was my maiden voyage in the Korean cuisine category. I had something called Mae Un Dak Bok Um. Basically it is a chicken stir-fry with cabbage, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and green onions in a spicy sauce. Love the spicy sauce! I even managed to eat 95% of the meal with chop sticks! Amazing since it also included rice in a separate bowl. Have you ever tried to eat rice with chop sticks? Not an easy feat my friends.

There were a couple of downsides. I don't usually sit on the floor anymore because my leg has a tendency to fall asleep. It is odd really. My legs can be straight out and my left leg gets all tingly and simply wants to go to nighty night land. So this restaurant gives you the option of sitting in a booth or on the floor. My compadres asked for a floor spot so I went along with the plan goodnaturedly. So even before the meal began.....the left leg decided that this was the absolute best time to go to sleep. I managed to get through the meal ok by shifting around a bit but it was a pain. The other downside is the restaurant is small and doesn't have a bar. Now....they do serve wine....and their selection is nice but it is also nice to have a pre-dinner cocktail of some sort every now and then.

The food is outstanding and I look forward to going back again. The menu is varied and gives you very different items from which to choose. If you are adventurous, you can choose skate fish or baby octopus. I think there is a good selection so even those who are looking for "less adventure" will be happy. If you haven't tried Korean food, it is a bit different from Thai, Szechuan or Cantonese. It has a flavor and personality all its own which will leave you satisfied and happy.

Tiger

2011-04-10T17:09:00.001-04:00

Yes.....Tiger Woods. I am sitting here watching the Masters and Tiger's aggressive climb up the leader board. Fabulous! Yes....that's what I said.

The guy made a mistake in his marriage and while some of you may think he is despicable because of it...he's human. Get over it and move on. Golf has been a boring game because Tiger has not been at his best. I don't like watching it if Tiger isn't charging the greens, pumping his fists and showing the raw emotion that has made him what he is in the history of golf. I heard what the old timers said about him...."he shows too much emotion, he swears, he throws his clubs...he needs to curb all of this and play the gentleman's game" etc etc. That's bullshit. Jealous old men......all of them. He is on target to be the most successful golfer that ever lived. Of course they would say all that crap. They want to change him and his game - make him weaker.

I say let him do whatever he needs to do to get his game back. The PGA is better because of him. No one wants to see no names winning inconsistently with every tournament. The sport of golf is more exciting and interesting because of Tiger.

Let the guy do whatever he likes. You don't have to like him as a person.....how many of us can even say we know the man? I don't know him but I appreciate his prowess on the greens and the historical impact he has had on society. Period.

No politics today but........

2011-04-09T12:47:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to recommend a website. I have been reading this site for years now and find it to be an entertaining look at the stuff going on in Washington. If you don't like political satire......skip it.

Wonkette - The D.C. Gossip

Ahhh.....Saturday

2011-04-09T10:50:00.004-04:00

It's just me and Kip hanging out this morning. I had grand intentions of taking advantage of a beautiful day - cutting my front yard, pulling some weeds and perhaps entertaining the notion of planting some perennials.

Alas......it wasn't meant to be. The morning is cloudy with a bit of chill in the air. I managed to pull some weeds and putter around the house as I waited for the sun to start shining so my yard would be dry enough to cut. After a few hours of puttering, I checked the weather radar and we have severe thunderstorms coming our way today. I got the mower out and managed to cut the side yard of my house before I felt the spritzing of raindrops. Ah well.....at least the dog is happy. I am in the house hanging out with him as he naps.

Tonight, Lyn and I are heading out to a Korean Restaurant for dinner with some friends. I have never had Korean food so I am curious about it. I am a huge fan of Asian cuisine anyway so it really isn't a stretch for me to go this route. I checked out Urbanspoon for Riverside Korean to see what kind of feedback it had received and it looks like 89% of the people who have tried it....like it. I also like to check out the local foodie bloggers to get their input. My favorite foodie blogger - Wine Me Dine Me - had not written a review yet so I am placing my faith in others that say this place is pretty good.
This might just be the luck of my day today. Just heard that we may or may not be able to go for Korean this evening. Other commitments may spill into the early evening and waylay our Korean din din. Bummer. Methinks I need to think of a suitable Plan B if this falls through this evening.
Oh well.....I have all day to watch it rain and think about it.

Curious thing.........neighbors

2011-04-07T20:33:00.003-04:00

My neighbors are a quiet young couple. I place them anywhere between 25 and 30. Anyway....they keep to themselves mostly. We chat from time to time and I can always count on the husband to give me a hand lifting something. They are good people.

This past weekend they planted a fruit tree in their backyard. While this would not normally be a big deal, I live in an area that until about 6 months ago had deer hanging from the trees. While the herd has been cut back, they still thrive here in the wooded areas of "happy valley". So....the idea of planting a fruit tree in an area where deer are always foraging for food seems a bit hilarious to me. Really? Out of all of the perfectly good landscaping trees and shrubs they could have chosen.....they chose a fruit tree?

Perhaps it is a bit of "deer cull" guilt. You see.....he took part in the herd thinning that happened here in the valley. The local POA thought it would be a great idea to give folks bows and arrows and let them run wild through the woods. He killed one or two during the killing season. I actually think he left one in the bed of his truck overnight.

Anyway, I'm not sure what kind of tree it is and I certainly hope that they actually harvest something from that tree. Methinks that it will simply serve as a salad bar for my little deer friends. It's not like the deer could actually get to the tree past Kip (see pic in post below) because he does a fine job as sentry on my deck. It just seems like a funny tree to plant in an area that is known to be a Denny's for the SE Indiana animal population.

Of course......if its a fruit I enjoy......they will never suspect me when fruit is missing. :)

Shhhhhh

2011-04-07T19:10:00.001-04:00

If I am really really quiet folks won't see me creep into my blog and post something after a year!

The last time I posted I spoke about my new puppy. If you want to know what has had me completely distracted....it is him. Kip is my 14 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

He is a "buffalo in a china shop" most days. Thankfully he has left most of his chewing days behind him. Most of my furniture is in tact since he liked to chew on me.... a lot! Many nights I cried frustrated tears because of his incessant need to chew on my arms and feet. Lots of chew marks let me tell ya!

Kip is exactly as his breed is described. He has been a faithful companion who bores easily. I had high hopes that I would be able to train him to make me the perfect Bloody Mary on the weekends but alas.....my training techniques were a disappointment. He has a throaty bark that will scare the bejeezus out of unsuspecting strangers who approach the house. I haven't had anybody come after me to see where his loyalties lie, but I am confident that he would use those big teeth of his and sink them deep into someone's skin if they harmed his "mama".

He loves his little pal Sadie. Who is Sadie? Sadie is Lyn's little companion. She can be full of fire and fury when she wants to be. Oh.....and Lyn hasn't been spared a little bite now and then. I think there is an amusing story about her nose being bitten by the Little Miss. Well......the story was amusing to me anyway. :)

That is my life for the last year. It is now high time that I begin my blogging again for anyone who is willing to read it. Perhaps a little facelift on the site is in order as well. Hmmmm.....maybe.

Is it Spring already?

2010-03-22T19:43:00.003-04:00

Amazing how long one can sleep when she puts her mind to it!

It has been a long time I know and I am not really sure if anyone is left to listen to my ramblings, but I will ramble just the same.

I have grown disappointed listening to the news over the last few months. In fact, I almost thought that it would be more peaceful to live in Canada without a TV so I wouldn't have to listen to people scream at each other about how the U.S. is going to Hell. I think some have grown afraid of what they don't know and there are those in the political world who know exactly how to prey on the feelings of those folks - creating the feeding frenzy that we now see nightly on any network.

Yes....our officials.....ok...the government....doesn't always do things that we all agree with. Those who don't like it.....please get over it. A lot of us who didn't support George Bush had to endure a lot over the last eight years and so we can appreciate the feeling of not getting things our way. It's ok. Like us......you will get used to it.

To distract you from all of the governmental madness that has you in a frenzy.....tune in to Dancing with the Stars! Oh yes.....we in Cincinnati have something to cheer about. Our very own Chad Ochocinco has just finished his dance routine with two-time winner, Cheryl Burke, and they lit up the dance floor! Please.....he is going to give the ice skater - Evan - a run for his money. Hopefully, this season will be much more acrobatic because they just can't throw Kate Gosselin around enough in my opinion. Yeah....as you may know....I'm just not a fan of her media circus. So have at it! Toss her around! Wait.....she might lose her hairpiece. Pfffft.....toss her around!

I hope everyone who manages to read my post has a wonderful week. Did I say that I was getting a puppy? YES! In fact, he makes his arrival at the end of this week.

More on that later...........

TA TA

I have been away too long!

2009-10-10T08:48:00.004-04:00

The last year has been one that has taken a bit of my breath away so I know that my blogging habits have been far less than I expect from myself. I am trying to get back to my usual form so bear with me!

My Dad is at my house this morning installing a new wash tub and fixing my toilet. At 79, the one thing he does well is his craft of plumbing. Of course....at his age.....his patience level is thin and he complains a lot. He can be a tad bit grumpy when his daughter buys "inferior" products at the local Lowe's store instead of going to a plumbing supply store. (and paying triple) Yes....its another father-daughter bonding moment this morning. :)

Anyway so much has happened in the world the last few months I don't know really where to start so I will begin with my favorite target......the nitwit Sarah Palin. You heard about her new book? Yep....."Going Rogue". No doubt she wants to educate us on her "wisdom" and "insight" in a forum that she solely controls. No "trick" questions from anyone in the evil media (that would be you - Katie and Charlie) or bad publicity photos. I imagine she will take pot shots at McCain's campaign staff because again.....this is her uninterrupted forum. She has undoubtedly educated herself more - reading books, studying political history and policy - so she looks less dimwitted than she did in the past. Again.....just as in the campaign.....everything is perfectly scripted.

Some say that she will run for office in 2012. Most folks in the RNC think she should do what's best for the party and watch it on television. She doesn't stand a chance against the educated men and women in the Republican party for whom she will compete. Too bad Tina Fey has no interest in reviving her role on SNL - although.....for the right amount of money anyone would do anything.

Ok....moving on to more interesting stuff......NFL! Who would have thought that we would see Brett Farve waffle again and come back to the game? And they think women change their minds a lot! He put on a fabulous performance against the Packers last week and it only proves when you count this guy out.......you pay for it! I don't think Brett has the stamina to carry him the whole season but he is doing exactly what the Vikings want him to do right now. Win. As for my Cincinnati Bengals......I don't think they should be 3-1 at this point. They are really not that strong of a team. It's smoke and mirrors. They will get their heads handed to them in Baltimore tomorrow. It is a rude awakening but it has to happen.

Does anyone else realize that we are already 75% done with 2009? The years really do fly by and I am already planning for Christmas.

Lyn and I are looking at houses. We are trying to decide what type of house (and features) we can both agree on when the time comes for us to look for one in earnest. We both like big kitchens. After that, we both have our own nit pick points. I think a good family room is important. I also think an older house has more character than some of the new homes that are being built today. There is just something structurally sound about a nice brick home built about 80 years ago. Of course.....unless it has been renovated to some extent it may require some additional dollars to get it close to what we want. And...if we renovate....wouldn't make more sense to build something from scratch? You can understand the quandary. I will move on.

I have to talk about the Nobel Peace Prize at this point. I think everyone - including myself - was surprised or shocked to hear that the committee chose President Obama for this award. Personally, I would by lying if I said it wasn't too early for him to receive such a prestigious honor. It is early. However, it would appear that the prize is being given to him because his administration is changing the tone of how America is perceived to nations across the world. It is a much different tone than the last administration. So he is being given the award because of the peaceful platform he represents as the President of the U. S. for the next 3 years. It is not an award based on what he is doing in America for Americans. The jury is still out on that for some of our countryman. I have to ask myself - does he stand in the same line as Mother Teresa? No and I don't know many who do - including past NPP recipients.

It's time for a vacation and we have been tossing around some ideas for 2010. The main trip of the year will likely be to the Oregon Coast - Home of fabulous Pinot Noir and endless hours watching whales frolic in the Pacific from our hotel room. I think we will try to squeeze in other trip to Vegas but we have not decided on a date yet. I have several friends who are going to Vegas next year at different times but it may not work out for those dates. It is nice to plan though.

The war in Afghanistan is still going. After eight years we cannot quit it now so hopefully more troops will be sent in to finish what was started after 9/11. We have no choice. We were sidelined by the circus show in Iraq and never finished the work at hand with Al Qaeda. It won't be pretty but it has to be done.

Last but not least.....Lyn and I celebrate four years together this month. We are having a low key dinner this evening and will call it a night. It has been lovely.....just lovely. :)

Til next time.....
TA TA!

Ted Kennedy

2009-08-26T21:02:00.004-04:00

We have heard news stories most of the day on the death of Senator Ted Kennedy. I just finished watching CNN's rebroadcast of an HBO special about him - In His Own Words. I won't pretend to think that everybody thought he was great. I am sure he has had his detractors. However, speaking for myself, it saddens me a bit to see the last bit of the Kennedy clan fade off into the sunset.

He is really the only living and breathing political Kennedy that I have been aware of all of my life. JFK died before I was born and I was only two when RFK was killed. They say the torch was passed to him after so many losses, but I think it was he who picked it up and ran with it.

He seemed to be a durable presence to his family and in his role as Senator. It makes you wonder what great things could have been if JFK and RFK were to have lived as long as him?
What would have the world been like if he won the Democratic nomination in 1979 and faced Ronald Reagan instead of Jimmy Carter? Lots of "coulda wouldas" here.

Who picks up the Kennedy staff now? Does someone really need to? Ted Kennedy has left a lasting impression on the world. The funny thing is his father probably never predicted that this son would go so far and last so long.

But he did.

Monday evening ramblings

2009-08-24T21:11:00.004-04:00

It occurred to me this evening that we are almost 3/4 done with 2009. Is it possible? The year has gone by so fast that I am thinking that I must be late doing something.....Christmas shopping.....etc etc.

A few more thoughts for the evening:

Lockerbie - Can someone tell me what has gotten into the Scots? Yes yes.....let's free the terrorist! I understand it was for non-political reasons......a compassionate release. Righto. It was very compassionate on his part in 1988 when he participated in blowing Pan Am flight 103 right out of the sky. I can also understand the Scots non-political reasoning in releasing this gentleman. Other than the Lockerbie disaster.....what terrorist is targeting Scotland? Men in kilts people!!
YAY! FOOTBALL SEASON! No more needs to be said.......
Health plan - Still more confusion being spewed in every direction on the contents of the bills. Yes....it will take money to make this work. It can't be any more expensive than the Iraq War. How quickly we forget......
Rosie on Sirius - That's right. Rosie has her own show on Sirius Channel 102 - Monday thru Friday from 10am to Noon ET beginning this Fall. How long before she talks about her old cohorts on The View? Its good to have her back. Satellite radio is a good outlet for her.
LifeLock - I signed up for this a few weeks ago after someone tried to buy $600 worth of jewelery on my credit card. Technology is great but it is also a curse these days!
Scarefest - For those of you who need the bejeezus scared out of you. Not a horror fan myself, but I do believe in ghosts. Boo!
Twitter - Who's using it? Is it a fad that is fading or just ramping up?
Blogger - I want an iPhone app for my blog. Dammit.

Ok....that just about wraps it up for me this evening. Time to sit back and fall asleep to the television. Maybe that's where the last eight months have gone?

TA TA

Universal health care

2009-08-04T19:41:00.007-04:00

I am sure that it isn't a likely topic at most gatherings. Some of us probably don't even think about it because we are already covered with our employee based programs. At some point however, we have all seen and heard the debates in-progress on Capitol Hill and have likely heard or read the misinformation about it. Trust me.....it does swirl around even when we are not in the midst of a campaign.

We are at a turning point in our American culture. Do we provide government administered heath care for all Americans or do we continue to allow all Americans to pay for those who cannot afford it today? Every time a person goes to the Emergency Room and cannot afford to pay for his/her treatment, we all pay. The rising costs of prescriptions are affecting everyone from young children to aging adults. In my own life, I watch my father every month try to pay for his Plavix prescription. There are no generics for Plavix. It is $148 a month.

President Obama's plan does not dictate who your doctor will be. Nor does it make you drop your employee based insurance plan or a plan you pay into yourself today in favor of this health care plan. It offers care to those who don't have it or lose it.

If you are confused about what is being offered or if you are confused by the conflicting rhetoric, take a look at some of the Political Fact blogs to gauge an honest opinion. There are a few credible ones out there but here's one for starters - PolitiFact.com. This site works to ensure that all statements from either side are interpreted correctly. Sometimes it is not always what we want to hear but it is good that someone is trying to set the record straight.

If you still have questions about universal heath care, consider this. We already have a form of government administered health care available to some Americans. It's called Medicare and it serves those Americans who are over the age of 65 and cannot afford to pay for insurance.

Why should health care only be administered to a select portion of our American society? Shouldn't everyone be covered?

Cool website

2009-07-30T20:59:00.003-04:00

I thought this was a pretty cool website so I thought I would pass it along.

If you want to see the International Space Station (ISS) pass over your house, this site tells you exactly when you can expect to see it in your part of the world.

http://www.heavens-above.com/

Pete Rose

2009-07-27T17:16:00.006-04:00

I am a fan of Pete Rose.

Call it a "Westsider" (those who live on the west side of Cincinnati) thing but I am a fan. So you can imagine that I am thrilled to hear that Bud (Butt) Selig is seriously considering reinstating him. I hear that there will be conditions - public apology and no managerial responsibilities - but in any case.....I am thrilled.

Despite his gambling issues as manager, you can't deny the man his role in baseball history as a player. He holds MLB records that will likely never be beaten by any other player. In a time of tainted players and tainted records, it is refreshing to look back at players that once were amazing without the use of performance enhancing drugs.

It is time to give Pete his due. It is time.

Hotdog anyone?

2009-07-11T08:28:00.008-04:00

Lyn and I had a few days off this week and decided to try out one of Food Network's Drive-Ins, Diners and Dives. You know the show with Guy Fieri? It is a interesting little show. The type of program that reminds you of a massive car wreck on the highway. You can't help but stop and watch it to see what is happening.

The "Dive" that we decided to try was Hillbilly Hot Dogs. Located about three hours from Cincinnati, it is located in downtown Huntington, West Virgina. Since Huntington is not a huge metropolis, the restaurant was very easy to find on Third Street.

The atmosphere - befitting of its name - is a redneck motif. I have to admit I couldn't help think of Jeff Foxworthy as I was sitting inside. But hey.....its working for them. The locals seem to love it and with all of the attention from the Food Network....so do the tourists.

Exterior Picture

Interior Picture - yes that's a tire as a table

When you move past the redneck ambiance, you get to the heart of what makes them tick - the hot dogs. They have about thirty different types on the menu. Forget about the plain dog here folks.....they throw just about everything on them. AND........for the more daring....they have a five pound and fifteen pound burger that can be ordered and shared with your friends. Yeah.....a real gastronomical delight. Lyn and I shared an order of cheese fries which were crinkled cut and crispy. I love a french fry that is crispy!

I chose the Taco Dog which came with chili, cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream, jalapenos and crumpled tortilla chips. It was very very tasty and not as big as I thought it would be with all of those ingredients on there.

I don't think we are making a habit now of visiting Drive-Ins, Diners and Dives, but we weren't disappointed in this trip. The food was delivered to us as seen on TV and by the time we left they had a packed house.

I can think of worst ways to make a living........

Michael Jackson

2009-07-07T20:21:00.005-04:00

I waited to post about the death of MJ until I listened to the memorial service today. Like some of you.....I was getting a little overcooked by the constant "all Michael all the time" on all of the news and entertainment channels.

I have been a fan of his music. It was his freakish behavior and his seemingly unnecessary cosmetic surgeries that were a turn off. I never did buy that he actually molested little children because he was so much a child himself. I was a fan of the entertainer however.

The memorial service today was well done. I think it honored the musician, the entertainer, the father and the son of a remarkable musical family. If Elvis had died last week, I think we could have expected much of the same.

I don't remember much of Elvis' death. I do remember the white Cadillacs (they were white right?) that paraded through Memphis behind the hearst. I remember the local news coverage on it vaguely. Remember.....in 1977, we didn't have the news and entertainment channels that we are afforded today. It was radio dedications and dinner time news broadcasts only unless you lived in Memphis then it probably was "all Elvis all the time". End result.......Graceland serves as his shrine and his legacy is still raking in millions a year. Lisa Marie really wants for nothing.

So here we are in present day and we have lost another great entertainer. I can't believe he was 50 years old. With all the surgeries, we were never allowed to see him grow old or gray. His grin was a little more permanent just like his musical talents. And even though we all realize that his three children are really not biologically his.......he was a father. It's not clear how amazing he was as a father since we rarely seen his interaction with his children publicly before this week.....but it appears to me that his children wanted for nothing (obviously with the outstanding debt). He appeared to be very attentive to his children and his daughter Paris let her emotions show this afternoon in regards to her loss. I don't like to watch children mourn and I have to admit that brought a tear to my eye.

The memorial service won't end the controversy around his death. I would not be surprised if we hear about the toxicology report by the end of the week. We will find that he took risks with his health just so he could push himself a little farther. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Gone too soon? I don't know about that. He leaves behind a legacy - good and bad - that his children and his family will hold for a lifetime.

Sarah calls it quits?

2009-07-03T16:35:00.005-04:00

Just a couple thoughts here.

A quitter never wins.
How can she even think about accepting the responsibilities of president when she can't finish a whole term as Governor. (of Alaska of all places)
Now she has even less experience to be president.
Her leaving office didn't even make sense. Who quits 18 months out without another election to run for?
More SNL fodder. I can't wait. Weeeeeeeee!

TA TA!!!

Friday morning ramblings

2009-06-19T08:19:00.004-04:00

There are so many things to chat about today I decided to just ramble on endlessly about each one just to get them off my chest. (Deep breath) Ok.....here we go!

Jon and Kate - minus 1? Apparently the media machine is still being stoked again because it is being reported this morning that Jon and Kate have an announcement coming sometime soon. Rumored to be one that will have a big impact on their family...it is my guess that Jon has said......"Enough is enough...if you like being on TV so much.....have at it!" Yep.....a separation of some sort probably linked to a money deal with TLC.
North Korea - Yeah......launch a missile in the direction of Hawaii. Sounds like a really wise decision doesn't it? If you really want to test President Obama.....trust me....he has been waiting for this opportunity.
Smoke and Flames - no.....not a afternoon grillside with some choice steaks. This was how I spent part of my afternoon yesterday on my way home from work. After having the truck in the shop last week because I was hearing noises - noises that could no longer be heard once it was at the shop of course - my truck broke down on my way home yesterday. Luckily I was able (able is a keyword here) to pull my smoking auto off the highway and into a gas station. After using a bucket or two of water to put out the flames near my front driver's side tire.......the tow truck driver's initial diagnosis was a broken axle. Ah ha.....a broken axle. Smoke and flames folks!!! This was followed by a 28 mile tow back to the same garage who worked on my car last month and did not hear the noises last weekend. They were sad to see me.....hmmmm.....wonder why? Now it is just me and "the muttlet" aka Bailey.....sitting around waiting all day.
Louisville Pride - I hear the Indigo Girls are performing this weekend. Much to the chagrin of Lyn I am a fan of Emily. Ahhhhhhhh.........
Football season - YAY!!! What some of us live and die for!! IT is coming my friends! Do not despair! All of this talk of Jon and Kate, North Korea....blah blah blah will all go by the wayside at the the very first pre-season game!! Ochocinco (aka Chad Johnson) has predicted the Bungles will be in the playoffs this year. (cough) What???
Spinning - I could leave this up to the imagination but nah.....I have purchased a Spinning bike from my friend Robin. She tried it twice and decided it was not for her. Fortunately, I have been looking for more exercise so I gladly took it off her hands. Pretty nice bike and it comes with lots of "motivational" dvds so the ride can be just more agonizing.

Ok.....that's all I got. I know just as soon as I "send this to press" I will think of two more items that are just dying for discussion. Since I have all day to just wait around.....I will likely be back to see if anyone out there wants to discuss one of the items listed above!

TA TA!!

John & Kate

2009-06-11T19:36:00.003-04:00

I know that this is probably the last thing you want to read about but I just have to put my two cents in on this fiasco. Let me begin by saying that I have always found this show to be quite entertaining and the kids are adorable.

However......Kate's attitude towards John is borderline abusive. (ok...I think I gave her more credit than she deserves) In recent interviews, Kate has stated that she finds the idea that she drove John to see other woman utterly ridiculous. Oh really? No...I mean reeeealllllly?
Both of them are adults and should know better but they both have equally contributed to the downfall of their marriage.

I have no doubt that Kate is doing what she is doing (book deals, tours, etc) to support the needs of her children. I have no doubt that she has their best interest at heart. However, since it took another person to get her pregnant with eight children, she should be mindful of her husbands concerns. He clearly does not want to be on television and with that said.....also has the best interests of his kids in mind. This is not something he wanted to do forever yet Kate can't think of letting one day slip by without a camera in her face. At $50,000 an episode, the money seems to have distracted her from the needs of her entire family.

And what about the first episode of this season? Kate complained six times how she was "alone" and how John was elsewhere. Oh....poor pitiful Kate. It is really hard to just have 50 grand handed to you when most of the people who are watching the show are struggling with losing a job, car or their home. I have a really hard time taking her side 100% in this if you can't tell.

As for John, it would help if he could avoid the dates out with other women. I mean....if you really want to stay in this with Kate.....somebody has to make the first move to correct an ugly situation. But I guess.....if he is already out of the relationship (separation) and TLC wants to milk this for all it is worth......they won't speak of the separation and he will continue to be caught with women in restaurants and then deny he is up to something.

I smell a Dr. Phil show in John & Kate's future........won't that be lively?

You Beg. I Post.*am

2009-05-28T20:20:00.003-04:00

After a five minute conversation in which Rita mentions five times that I need to post on WTR... I'm posting.

I don't have much. Her suggested topic -- facial hair -- just didn't do much for me.

Instead, I think it should be noted that she just spent $25 on dredging bowls from p*mp*ered *chef. And tongs.

Makes it so much more helpful than, I don't know, a plate and a fork?

Come to think of it, I've never seen her 'dredge'.

Terry's Turf Club

2009-05-20T20:02:00.012-04:00

So a few of us went out last weekend to a fairly new place called Terry's Turf Club. We had read that they had the best burgers in town so we decided that it was a challenge that we were definitely willing to tackle.

It takes a lot for a local joint to get the honor of having the best burgers in town and around here they have some stiff competition with other local eateries. I personally love the franchised Red Robins and just the thought of their burger selection sends me into a tailspin.

But let's talk about Terry's. The place is small. I think the dining area is about 15x30 so it really doesn't sit more than 40 people at a time. The room is filled with the best collection of local neon beer signs I have seen anywhere in Cincy. It has three retro standing beer coolers positioned around the room to add to the nostalgic feel. So that takes care of the ambiance............

How is the food? Well.....they have a limited menu. This is probably a good idea since they can't seat a whole lot of people at one time. The burgers start at $7. A basic burger can come "through the garden" and with your choice of cheese. Now....if you want to get a bit fancy.....bacon, blue cheese, etc etc.....can cost you an additional $2 an item. This can get a bit pricey no matter where you are.

I had a burger with blue cheese and bacon. ($11) While the burger was big, perfectedly cooked and juicy.....the saltiness of the bacon just about ruined it for me. I am a bacon lover too.

Lyn had a burger with grilled onions, pickles and some special fried cheese that they laid on top of the burger. When I say fried cheese......they take a thick cut slice of cheese.....place it on the grill to cook for a bit.....and then place it on the burger. It was a speciality cheese ($2) so it probably wouldn't work the same for us at home with a slice of American.

We also shared an order of fries. These were actual sliced potatoes fried to a dark golden brown. In some places they were overdone. but if you like them like that.....its probably gourmet.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the cocktails we consumed during our visit. Lyn and my other friend Tina both had the mysterious Elixir cocktails made with Pomegranate/Blackberry juices. Needlesstosay it was a bit more than either one of them could handle and Lyn had two of them! They packed a punch and I think it just added to the taste of the burgers. I enjoyed the Sam Adam's Summer Ale drafts immensely.

I do not claim to be a food critic and I love leaving that up to the experts like WineMeDineMe. However, now that I have talked about Terry's I have to end this blog with something! If I had to grade this establishment - let's say Rita's list A+ to F..........I would give it a B. Perhaps I have been tainted by the Red Robin's of this world but I have to say......their burgers were good but nothing to have an orgasm about. Slightly overpriced for the extras but hey...you have to make a living somehow. The cocktails were inventive and delicious. The atmosphere - while it was small (I hear an expansion may happen in the near future) - was conducive to a nice evening out with friends. Loved the retro neon beer signs!

If they had a website I would post it. A Google search will find lots of reviews about this cute little place.

Good food, good times - a B.

Swine Flu

2009-05-03T15:37:00.004-04:00

Oink.

That's all I can really say about the state of hysteria over the Swine Flu outbreak. With less than 1000 cases reported - worldwide - I can't say that I buy into all of the hype and hysteria surrounding this illness. The U.S. sees bouts of influenza every year with cases reaching far over the 1000 person infected mark. I am really hesitant to buy into the panic of storing two weeks worth of food and water, etc. when I live in a nation that has the best medical care in the world. And to date, no American born citizen has died from it.

Now in Mexico....there is a whole lot to be skeptical about. We already know that the water can really mess you up down there so why is it surprising that there would be a widespread case of the flu?

Is this ALL we have to talk about these days? Seriously, if you don't want the flu, it really comes down to some basic hygiene habits that our mother's taught us as children - wash your hands and cover your mouth. It's that simple.

Gotta run.....I have a sudden craving for a BLT.

Pet loss

2009-05-03T12:16:00.002-04:00

I think most of us have had an attachment to a certain pet in our lifetime. It didn't really matter what type of animal it was because it was uniquely sentimental to us. I lost my cat Oscar this past week due to failing health. It was a decision that I never wanted to be in the position to make myself. It might have been easier to just find him one day after work. He would have least died in the comfort of his own home instead of the vet's office.

The house is quieter. I fear that it is less secure as well. I know that sounds funny, but he was the security system in my house. The slightest sound would attract his attention and he would go to it to investigate - with me a few feet behind him with a ball bat. You see.....his temperament was "I will welcome you but if I don't like you......you're doomed". He managed to turn a few dogs into quivering idiots with that temperament. My other cat - BG - who I have had for five years is the complete opposite in personality. Her mantra could be best described as "Ohhhh yessss....pet me and I will show you all of the household valuables". So you see the quandary I am now in with Oscar's passing. It's basically an open house here.

So many people say that losing a pet is almost like losing a child. And before my brother's passing in October, I would support that statement. However, since my mother is still grieving my brother's passing it is not a comparison that I am likely to bring up to her. The grief is different but the same in some ways. The "heavy-heartedness" of it all is certainly there. The fact that I saw Oscar every day for the last 16 years - far more than I saw my brother obviously - certainly compounds my grief. He was my companion, my solace and my friend.

I blog today just to clear the air a bit more for myself. By no means is this an easy thing for me. The last few days have been sad. His absence has disturbed the peace and the natural movement of things in my house. Soon, his ashes will appear on my mantle in a little urn befitting the life that he has lived. Time moves on and I am left with only fond memories of my little furry friend.

Rita's rite of Spring

2009-03-25T10:40:00.005-04:00

OYSTAHFEST!!!

I really don't need to say more. Those who have followed my post for awhile know that March/April each year I give a hearty welcome to Oysterfest at the Washington Platform Restaurant.

Yeah....I like oysters fried, on the half-shell, broiled and in a shooter. It really does not matter to me. It's all good.

On Friday, I will join my friends at Oysterfest and have a "gay" old time! It really is my favorite rite of Spring!

Plant and Krauss

2009-03-23T18:41:00.005-04:00

I picked up the Robert Plant and Allison Krauss collaboration CD last week. It had received so much acclaim on the AMA's and the Grammy's that I thought it was likely a safe purchase. I looked at it the same way I look at the Oscar nominated films.......you likely cannot go wrong if you choose to see one in the theater.

I was not disappointed. Now it's not my normal everyday music (I don't own a RP or a AK cd), but you know sometimes you want to listen to something slightly quirky and irregular. Something off the beat and path. Something that blends well with a small group of people sipping martinis late on a Friday afternoon. Raising Sand would be the CD for those times. Its not rock-n-roll nor is it bluegrass. Its a blend that can only be described as "alternatively unique".

I added a little eight minute documentary in my video slot on the right side of this blog for those of you who want to sample some of the music while hearing from the musicians themselves.

TA TA!

March Madness. giggle

2009-03-21T20:24:00.003-04:00

Morale at my workplace is so bad no one had the gumption to start a b-ball pool this month. Sad, eh?

So Rita hooked me up and let me enter her company's madness. Mine is one of 128 brackets in the pool. As of this moment, I'm ranked #9. Last night I was #3, but then OSU screwed up.

Rita is #59.

And it's making her crazy.

With good reason. I pretty much picked my teams using my usual random approach. For example, when asked why in the world I picked Villanova to advance to the elite 8, my response was likely something along the lines of 'I like to say their name'. Rpi? Nah. And Syracuse -- honestly, I like the orange. The color.

Somewhere there's probably a committee assembled to begin the process of taking back my toaster oven. I had to get a waiver to claim it to begin with, being one of the only lesbians I know to have never played a team sport outside of kickball in second grade.

To make up for my momentary dominance I cooked dinner tonight, and we're watching the madness (and Celebrity Apprentice) with a nice Cabernet.

Viva Las Vegas

2009-03-12T19:47:00.005-04:00

The title of this blog is highly appropriate after our mini-vacation this past weekend in Sin City. If there is an economic crisis it ain't happening in Vegas. In fact, if you want to escape the depressing news.........go to Vegas! I had not been there in six years and I was amazed at the building explosion that has taken place! Clearly it was a very fun time for Lyn and I. I would not say it was relaxing - I think we walked 10 miles a day - but it was very fun!

My thanks to the "Jello-shot Wench" for taking care of the cats while we were away. They seemed to be in fairly good spirits when I came home - in fact they seemed disappointed that I was home. hmmmmmmm.......

Did I mention that I had a Governor Richardson sighting? Yeah....Lyn didn't think it was him, but being only 10 feet away - close enough to smell his cigar smoke - I was pretty sure it was him. You are always good for at least one celebrity sighting while you are there - political or otherwise.

We stayed at the Bellagio. I highly recommend this hotel! We got a fabulous price through Travelocity that made it irresistible. I would certainly stay there again if only for the Long Islands! The room was very comfortable and I had several good nights of slumber.

The one thing that really stuck out for me was how loose the slot machines were in most hotels. Living in the Midwest for most of my life and not seeing a real casino (most of the boats are lame) for six years, I didn't realize how tight the local casinos really were in regards to payouts. I didn't come home with lots of extra money but we sure did play longer on very little. Amazing.......

So that's my story about our Vegas trip. In honor of it, I have placed a special video on the right side of this blog. Enjoy!!

Aging parents

2009-02-26T20:18:00.006-05:00

This week I have had to take my father to the hospital for an angiogram and ultimately an angioplasty. He spent an overnight in the hospital - much to the chagrin of the nursing staff who had to deal with his wanderlust all night long. He didn't sleep. So he walked the halls and I am sure he kept things lively for them in the early morning hours.

When he got home, he found himself in front of a "new fangled" pill box with assorted pill colors in each respective day. Ok yes....I bought the box for him, but that is how I handle situations. I try to organize things based on the given situation. This situation screamed the need for organization and structure!

The morning after his first night home he called to ask me if he should take the Thursday pills now. I said....."No....Dad its Wednesday". To which he replied...."Oh hell, I already took all of those (Weds) last night". YIKES! A remedial class on the pill box layout and functionality quickly ensued that afternoon and I believe that now he is on the path to righteousness instead of a medical emergency. He simply is not used to taking medications of any kind and now......he is in uncharted territory.

I guess we all think about what it will be like when our parents age and become dependant upon us. Both of my parents are independent, strong willed individuals who live a solitary lifestyle. This week was a real eye opener in regards to where my father is in the aging process. It is a concern to me since I am now their first line of support - two separate households and only one of me.

Anyone caring for two parents who live in separate households? I am not in full caregiver mode at this point - as I said both parents are mobile and fend for themselves right now. I am interested in hearing how other people may handle this unique situation.

Convictions

2009-02-26T19:39:00.006-05:00

There aren't many of my friends who don't have strong personal or political beliefs. I am happy to say that it is this diversity that makes life interesting. I respect those folks who stand firmly behind what they believe and will defend it even when it all "goes to hell in a hand basket".

The one thing I do not respect are those folks who waffle between their political beliefs or run like hell when things are darkest. One day they are an elephant - the next day they are the donkey or worse.....something in between to escape the party that burned them.

I have been called a closeted Republican by a few (those are remaining nameless!) even though I voted the Democratic ticket. I do have some conservative viewpoints, yes, but I guess I consider myself a moderate/conservative Democrat. Either way....I voted the way my heart pointed me to vote based on my political beliefs.

I guess the main point of this post tonight is to simply say how much I respect those individuals who show "strength of conviction". Whether we disagree politically or otherwise , I think it speaks volumes to the character of such individuals. It is good to see those who can plant a stake firmly in the ground and say....."This is where I stand".

Politics aside.....no one likes wishy-washy anything. If the world were made up of chameleons, we would never have experienced any decisive moments in history. We would all look like "Stepford" lesbians with our little Stepford lives in our Stepford neighborhoods. (that is a frightening thought in itself!) Who wants to be around people who mold to other peoples convictions?

I say.....stand up, kick the mold to the side and breathe freely! If you feel like you can't, then maybe the person you have become is simply not you at all.

Royalty

2009-02-09T19:36:00.004-05:00

I can now say that I know someone who is royalty. In fact.....I sleep with her often. While it is fair enough to say that Lyn does get herself into some precarious situations with work and her outside interests, I never imagined that she would become a Colonel.

That's right. My girlfriend is an official Kentucky Colonel. No really! Read this.

While it carries no special duties or special powers, it is a huge thing in this part of the country. Remember Colonel Sanders of KFC? Yep......he was a Ky Colonel too.

So while we may receive a special invitation to the Kentucky Derby (yes....there is a Kentucky Colonels Derby party), I can never hope to gain even a free chicken leg at the nearest KFC. (sigh)

Congratulations Lyn!

Bailout

2009-02-09T19:12:00.004-05:00

Now that we have the Senate majority voting in the new stimulus package, the real work begins hammering out the final product with the H of R. Yes I know......we didn't have a full agreement due to the unending bickering about the pork products in the bill.

Uh hello.......how do you think Dubya was able to push through any bill that he pleased during his eight year term? There was enough pork in those bills to feed the world ten times over. Piss and moan all you want......there is not a president alive who doesn't have a bill chucked with piggy products. The big difference with this one is the fact that with this bill and all future bills we will all know exactly what is being signed into law. Every swimming pool, new bridge, park, war memorial and salmon farm request will now be up for public display.

Unless we have a president who is willing to sign into law the "line item veto", the pork will continue my friends. It is inevitable. We aren't sending representatives to Congress to just sit around. Everybody needs something and everyone wants their bread buttered.

I read this afternoon that the economy is so bad in Alaska that people can't afford to turn on their electric items and milk costs $10 a gallon. I wonder how long before Sarah Palin starts pinging her Senators for a little spending money? Don't think she will? Ha.....she either asks for the money or sits idly by and watches the Alaskan economy sink into oblivion. If that happens she will not have another term at governor and her sinking track record will be fair game should she decide to do something really dumb like run for a Congressional seat or worse.....president.

The new stimulus package will be a done deal shortly. Hopefully it will stimulate enough to get our economy back on track. It's not just the Democrats economy......it impacts ALL OF US!

Post Birthday Musings

2009-01-26T18:16:00.007-05:00

Ahhh yessss....another birthday has bit the dust and we are off and running with the new year! I had a very nice weekend of margaritas, Italian food and bling........life is good.

It has been quite a challenge for me to blog lately. I am trying to get back in the saddle but it has been a slow go of it for me. Lots of interesting topics have been floating through my head lately so I may be able to make a better effort soon.

A quick note on the vacation decision.......as you recall Lyn and I have been looking for a place to take a little break. After several good ideas....we have decided to take a nice long weekend and spend it in Las Vegas! Lyn has never been to LV and as everyone knows......you have to go there at least one time in your life. We have a fabulous room at the Bellagio and there is no doubt in my mind that we will be lucky enough to have a warm day in March to sit lazily by the pool. May not be a tropical beach resort......but LV has enough resort style comforts that we should feel quite relaxed while we are there.

Can someone tell me why we have to endure endless television appearances by the idiot governor of Illinois? Impeach him already!

Ahhhhh.....our new President and the First Lady........they just ooze love and respect for one another. The other past Presidents looked almost afraid to touch their wives. What a refreshing change! Someone who can lead by example in the "family man" department! Good stuff!

So when is the next federal holiday? Oh yeah......Memorial Day. (sigh)

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that the 23rd Annual Oyster Festival on March 27th in Cincinnati at the Washington Platform. Yep......Shuck 'em, Suck 'em, & Eat 'em Raw! Are there any other oyster lovers out there?

Thanks for the birthday greetings one and all. It was a good one!

TA TA!

You Say It's Your Birthday!

2009-01-21T23:02:00.002-05:00

Well almost.

Friday is Rita's.

This public service announcement brought to you by her lame girl friend who has dinner under control... but no gift. Though of course there is an explanation...

Got a second? Wish her a happy one.

Please.

Restaurant Review

2009-01-18T08:47:00.014-05:00

While I normally leave such things to the experts, such as Wine Me, Dine Me in Cincinnati, I couldn't help taking a shot at it this morning after our massive meat feast last evening at Boi Na Braza.

Boi Na Braza is a Brazilian Steakhouse where "Gauchos" continuously serve you five different types of meats - chicken, pork, beef, lamb and sausage prepared 10 different ways. ($47.50 per person) It is brought to you on a sword-like device and sliced right on to your plate. Remarkably, with all of the walking around with the meat in hand, I was never served a piece of meat that was anything but hot.

The Gauchos continue to come to your table as long as you have the red and green "meat place card" displayed as green. Turn the place card to red and the Gauchos will leave you alone.

I manage to try four of the meats prepared in several different ways. However, in the whole circus of parading meat, I was disappointed that I did not receive any of the pork entrees. Somehow this was not brought around for our entire meal. I found all of the cuts of meat to be juicy and well-seasoned. I also managed to receive several cuts that were medium-well despite the fact that much of the beef and lamb were cooked to their desired state of medium rare to medium.

I guess by now you are asking......"Were their any vegetables in this meat extravaganza?" Ahhh yes......Boi Na Braza has a large salad bar which contains a very nice selection of cheeses, salad vegetables, prosciutto, smoked salmon as well as hot side items like mashed potatoes, seasoned rice, etc. I must say that it was a little smaller that I had imagined based on previous reviews I had read but the quality of the food was very good! Any vegetarian could have had a very nice meal at the salad bar alone. ($29.99)

I must also mention that Boi Na Braza also has a very fine wine list and assortment of speciality drinks. My friends and I had just started with our wine when we spotted this interesting woman preparing fruit-infused cocktails from a little cart. The drinks were called a Caipirinha. ($14.99)

The Caipirinha's were a fruit-muddled concoction made with sugar, fruit, Brazilian rum and another Brazilian liquor. There was a lime (mojito style) version and the tropical version served with oranges, pineapple and strawberries. We tried both - multiple times. Tasty is an understatement for these cocktails.

In regard to disappointments, I was disappointed in the Brazilian Cheese Bread that is brought to your table. After hearing so much about it in reviews, I expected something cheesy and buttery. I guess what I was hoping for was something that rivaled those fabulous cheddar biscuits you get at Red Lobster. No comparison and they ended up being small dinner rolls infused with cheese but you never really saw it. It was not the taste explosion I was preparing for after the reading reviews.

Overall, it was a great meal. I found the service to be fabulous and attentive but not overly bothersome. Be prepared to throw down at least $150 for two people. This is definitely not your everyday restaurant and nor should it be. It is a great place for a special occasion and you will not be disappointed.

Sunday morning blahs

2009-01-04T10:55:00.004-05:00

"Morning".

Those are the only two words I think Lyn and I have uttered to each other this morning in our brief periods of "alertness".

It is a very blah type of day here in the Ohio Valley. After a night filled with rain storms and loud outbursts of thunder, the end result is one dreary Sunday morning.

I sit here at the laptop going through emails, drinking coffee (which may be a little bit on the weak side) and listening to snores coming from the living room couch. I know it isn't the muttlet who is quietly perched on top of the couch - as if she were faithfully protecting her owner - who is sound asleep there.

I have gone through every bit of the morning paper. I tend to skim through it looking for the articles that have exciting headlines or keywords that are noteworthy to me. They have shortened our paper beginning with this issue to save money so it really takes me even less time to read the damn thing.

So after all that I decided to hit the Internet and search for acceptable vacation spots for 2009. Last year we had a grand time in California and it will be hard to match, but I have been given some guidelines to go by in order to find the ideal vacation spot for a week.

It has to be some place warm.
Located on a beach
Not located in California, North or South Carolina and preferably not Florida but there is some wiggle room there if the place proves to be spectacular enough.

I have my work cut out for me methinks. It has been a while since I have taken a vacation that was purely "beach-side". I think I was 12 and it was a family vacation in St. Petersburg, Florida, but that was also mixed with a trip to Disney and I have already been warned that Disney is not an option. (sigh)

I'm doomed.

I am open to suggestions on this rainy Sunday morning. I hear planes flying overhead on their approach to the CVG airport and just that sound alone makes me want to board a plane to anywhere.

The snores have subsided. Time for some more coffee........

MILK

2008-12-27T09:13:00.006-05:00

All I can say is go out and see this movie this holiday weekend! Borrow a car....take the subway....hail a cab....walk or run....to your local theater!

It will inspire you.

It is easy for some to take for granted the struggles that we face as gays or lesbians. We know that there are people out there who hold much hate and disgust for us but as long as we live in a our cute little cul de sac where everyone loves us......we are not impacted by that "noise". Some of us continue to go on without reeeeaallly knowing what some chosen individuals did in defense of our lives today. They dared to step out there and say......"We will not be treated as second class citizens or as the dirt underneath your shoe. We DO matter and watch how we - together - can change life as we know it!"

Lyn and I left the theater last night ready to pick up a protest sign and march somewhere....anywhere.....in the rain. Harvey Milk came and conquered.....again.

This movie will recruit and revitalize you.

So this is Christmas.....

2008-12-25T19:38:00.005-05:00

Wow....what a day.

After an early morning rise, I started my day with my Dad and breakfast. I chose to cook again this year because this was a new tradition that my brother and I decided would be a good idea last year. So I was determined to keep up the new tradition and kept the menu to a minimum since I was the chief cook and bottle washer.

Then....on to Mom's for more food. This meal was more filling than the first and I was glad to see this "last meal" coming to tell the truth. The last 24 hours - including Christmas Eve - has been one big food fest leaving me in a sizable food coma. I have summoned just enough energy to blog this evening. Actually....I was hoping that a little more activity would allow me to work off a few calories.

Lyn headed home with her family today and methinks that she is in a food coma now herself because my text messages since 6:30 have garnished no response. I think Fried Chicken was on her menu today. I have seen many o' women fall into a deep food coma after several helpings of Fried Chicken and all the fixins. If I get no response soon, I may have to go out in the backyard and send up a few signal flares so she can find her way home. I realize that drinking and driving is not a good combination, but a food coma is not something to take lightly!

Tomorrow will be a day of taking it easy and unwinding a bit. Cocktails and a movie sound like a really good plan. I have a feeling that it will also include a few trips to a local mall or favorite department store just to check out the bargains. Just typing that last sentence made the "non-shopper" in me scream out in angst......(sigh)

Enjoy the food coma while it lasts. Tomorrow is another thing entirely.......

Christmas gifts

2008-12-17T21:10:00.005-05:00

As I sit here this evening and catch up on my blog reading, I am reminded of some of my "Christmas gifts past". Some of them I have conveniently forgotten.....I suppose it is better to just blame my old lesbian memory, but there are some Christmas' that I just simply can't remember what I received from my significant other at the time. I am sure that they were all fabulous - the correct size, color, shape and blinked, beeped and buzzed. I'm sure that I was thrilled with each and every one of them.

I think.

I don't recall getting a "bad" gift per say. I mean....nothing sticks out in my mind as something that was just so wrong I will not only remember it in this lifetime but in the next three lifetimes. And, I am just as hopeful that in all of my years of bestowing gifts......I made sound decisions. Again....no recollections of gifts being hurled back in my direction or loud wailing cries from significant others.

I have always thought I was more of a receiver than a giver, but after recollecting on "Christmas gifts past", I am not so sure. I love buying for other people and seeing the joyous expressions on their faces when they receive something fabulous! That makes me feel wonderful!

This season is about giving, but in order to give.....someone has to receive. This leads me to my question this evening. What makes you more happy - giving or receiving?

Are you serious?

2008-12-10T19:18:00.005-05:00

Ok....before I get to the "meat" of this posting this evening......read the following news story and meet me back here.

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Underwear-Researcher-Pleads-Guilty-To-Abusing/9rywkkBBckOZoIRjZW3O8A.cspx

Yeah. I only have one thing to say about this.....Do the parents of these children NOT share some of the blame here? I mean seriously......they allowed their children to be take to a separate room while this strange guy took pictures of them in their underwear!

How many times do we have to watch this stuff on the news and read it in the paper before we allow ourselves to be suspicious of these type of circumstances? Could these folks be so greedy - "Oh my child could be the next big time model or the next Hannah Montana" - that they would want to take this kind of risk?

It is this type of stupidity that just leaves my mouth open in amazement.........

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T07:51:00.006-05:00

Yes today is the day!

As some of you may know, Thanksgiving Day has always been a huge cooking day for me. This was my big day to prepare a feast for my family! This year I came to the decision that with my recent loss of my brother Paul that I just could not bring myself to prepare "the feast" with the same fervor as past years. So where does that leave me?

It leaves me assisting Lyn with her turkey day preparations of course! She is heading north as we speak to eat with her family with turkey in the trunk and a fabulous container of Cranberry Pomegranate sauce! The cranberry sauce was my contribution. I must tell you that I was sorely tempted to add a little vodka to the mixture since the sauce sounded more like a martini. What a surprise that would have been to a Baptist family! It turned out remarkably well despite the big mess it left in Lyn's kitchen. I will likely make it again when I cook for my friends on 12/14 and then.......it will be a spiked sauce!

Tonight I am heading out to the outlet mall at midnight to get a little Christmas shopping done. Yes....it opens at midnight and it is packed with people! It is very fun and if an outlet store is open near you at midnight tonight I highly recommend that you go. What else are you doing tonight besides nursing a food coma?

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today. This day probably has more meaning for me than any other for I am profoundly thankful for all of my friends and family that have been hovering close by for the last 6 weeks. If I could name them all here I would but then I would miss most of this day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I think I killed Rudolph

2008-11-16T18:25:00.004-05:00

Yeah.....I am hoping that I am wrong. The night of the election I was on my way to Lyn's house when a deer ran into my path. I am usually vigilant for them since I live in an area where the deer abound and frequent my backyard on a daily basis. And yes.....I have been known to feed them from time to time as they bring their young into the yard. Ok....I am softie.

End result of the little collision.......$1616.00.

My only consolation is that there is now a deer in Northern Kentucky who can truly light up the night's sky because he has a headlight permanently attached to his head.......

No V-Necks Need Apply

2008-11-16T09:11:00.004-05:00

Rita's favorite season is fast approaching. This weekend she's gone headfirst into her HSN/QVC browsing mode. Sunday Morning on CBS? Hmmmmph. I'm blogging to the sounds of some bubble-head doing her best to sell Rita a pressure cooker.

Seriously. It's like crack to her. And what's even odder -- SHE HATES TO SHOP.

I, of course, adore shopping. Just not via the tube.

I particularly like to gift those I love (and seek to dress in a style of my choosing) with warm, fuzzy, stylish sweaters.

Lands End and Eddie Bauer holiday catalogs send me over the edge.

A snazzy argyle. A fine cashmere. A thick, chunky, handknit import from the British Isles.

One of my favorite post-Holiday shopping activities is to peruse clearance tables piled high with men's sweaters. I have several lovely steals from the local Gap outlet that I wear as a coat until 'real' winter arrives.

So you can imagine my reaction the first time I presented Rita with one of my bargain finds for herself -- a lovely V-Neck shetland in a fabulous soft gray green.

She didn't shriek or run away -- but it was a decidedly mommie dearest decree -- no v-necks. Ever.

That almost ended the relationship before it began.

But I don't give up.

Rita will be the first to tell you I'm a strong believer in assimilation.

Each and every Fall when the catalogs start arriving I try again.

"Isn't it lovely? It's a shallow v, not really noticeable."

"Well, with a turtleneck under it it's not really a v-neck."

*sigh*

One last shot over the political bow!

2008-11-03T17:00:00.004-05:00

Wow....how time flies! Here we are.... the night before the biggest and most sought after Presidential election any of us will ever remember! The two candidates have been chosen and we have heard the rhetoric from both sides for the last four months. I am tired of hearing the commercials, the bickering and Sarah Palin. I think that is the correct order for all three of my pain points.

My goal is to vote for Barack Obama tomorrow. There is not an argument out there that can now convince me that I should vote for the old Maverick and his pup. A maverick is defined as follows:

1. an unbranded calf, cow, or steer, esp. an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother.
2. a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates.
3. (initial capital letter) an electro-optically guided U.S. air-to-ground tactical missile for destroying tanks and other hardened targets at ranges up to 15 mi. (24 km).

Feel free to choose any one of those definitions that appeal to you most.

I am of the opinion that I don't want a lone dissenter who has the temperament of a guided missile in the White House. We have not had the good fortune to see him "blow up" on the campaign trail, but we have all heard of his reputation. We do not need someone who is more volatile than Dubya. We do not need someone who takes the lone road because he wants to make the lone decision because he is feeling "mavericky". If he is elected, do you not think he IS going to take things into his own hands? He will because he has been telling us for the last year that he is exactly that type of guy. He goes it alone if he has to and bucks the established practice.

Wow.....great way to reestablish those NATO allie connections that have been incinerated by Dubya for the last eight years. We are a country that needs its allies and those connections need to be reconstructed by someone who has the ability to reach across the table and work with others. Not someone who is a lone dissenter.

Around the world, third world countries not only have our jobs (I have seen what outsourcing can do) but also hold our IOU slips because we've had to borrow money from them. It is time that we hold major corporations responsible for sending those jobs overseas and leaving us without good jobs. I am not talking just about manufacturing jobs here, but IT jobs as well.

It is time for us to take back the "America" brand and image. It is time for all of us to unite together and move forward as a united front and not a divided country. Do you not think that the rest of the world knows that most of the American citizens can't stand their President or what he stands for?

Tomorrow I am voting for Barack Obama because he represents real change and a fresh perspective on what it takes to bring us to the table as a united front to the world. He represents my views and my philosophies in my personal life. It is not about one issue - "the Gay issue" - its about several issues. It is about my confidence in the person and his abilities to lead this country.

I cannot take the chance on John McCain. His choice of VP should have been clear to all of us that his judgement is in serious question. If I have to question his judgement on his VP selection, I have to worry about what other decision this "maverick" will make as he picks up the phone at 3am. I don't want him making a off-the-cuff decision at 3am that could cost me my life and my pursuit of happiness.

No thanks John McCain. You are just not worth the risk.

Here I am

2008-11-02T17:35:00.004-05:00

In case you all thought I have vanished into thin air I thought I would check in to prove that this blog is still very much an active thing for me!

In the last few weeks I have been dealing with a very sad family issue. I lost my brother Paul on October 16th at the young age of 40. I'm not going to get into many details but it was an accident that didn't need to happen. It took a very funny, charming and well mannered man from my life and the life of my parents. Lots of great things have been said about him over the last few weeks and the outpouring of support from people I have never met (at his funeral) was overwhelming.

We have been left shocked and dismayed by this loss and are taking things one day at a time. I have watched my mother exude a personal inner strength that I would have never imagined she would have during a time such as this. I have to believe that he is in a better place and that provides me and my family with great comfort during this time.

I have been back to work for the last two weeks and it has helped to preoccupy my mind and renew my spirit. It is nice to be able to come back to the blog and write a few things again.

It is time to regroup and learn to adjust to the "new normal" in my life. There will be good days and bad days but I know that while my mind and heart will not forget in time I will learn to reconcile with it as I move forward.

Debate Suggestion

2008-10-14T19:30:00.004-04:00

Just a random thought I had today about the presidential debates. Wouldn't be interesting to have the ladies from "The View" moderate one of the debates? Barbara Walters could stand by and ensure that everyone - including Whoopi, Sherri, Joy, and Elizabeth (yes even her) - stay within the designated timeframes.

Now there would be some down to earth, heart and soul questions to both candidates. A far cry different than what we will see from Bob Schieffer tomorrow night.

(sigh) Is this almost over?

"Double Talk Express"

2008-10-08T20:18:00.003-04:00

The latest article about McCain from Rolling Stone magazine this week. He can't seem to make up his mind...........

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23316955/the_doubletalk_express/

Laundry

2008-10-05T10:26:00.004-04:00

You can learn a lot about a person by how simple tasks are performed around the house. I think that it can be enlightening actually. I learn more and more about Lyn as each year goes drifting by.

Case in point......laundry.

Now I will admit....I am not the Martha Stewart of the laundry room but I am learning thanks to her lovely book. However, I do know the basics and there is simply one function for which my attention span drops dramatically - Folding. After spending one morning emptying Lyn's dryer of clothes and learning what her previous partner did for her when it comes to folding......I have decided that "Folding" should be a salaried position. That's right, I said salaried.

Apparently, women in the past have neatly folded clothes, placed them in neat little stacks awaiting for their master to pick them up from the laundry room. I also believe - although this was disputed - that the clothes were placed in color coordinated stacks in alphabetical order by color.

I could go on about the "proper" clothing drawers and the placement of particular clothing items in each drawer but I think you get the idea here. I obviously need to attend a local "Laundry Anonymous" meeting to correct my laundry deficiencies! I cannot possibly live up to the expectations of "Partners Past" after living solo for the last 12 years. The expectations are enormous and equally rivals the mountains of laundry in a blended household!

Hello....my name is Rita............

Saturday morning ramblings

2008-10-04T08:26:00.009-04:00

Ahhhh.....Fall is here my friends! The much cooler nights here in the Ohio Valley have been a welcomed sight for my AC unit. We seem to have much shorter periods of Fall these days. Thanks to the recent hurricanes and the windstorms that it brought to the Midwest and the NE much of the pretty trees and their leaves didn't stand much of a chance. Today I am going to begin a little yard cleanup in preparation for winter. I have been told by two sources who follow the Farmers Almanac religiously that we are in for a bad winter. I don't know whether to believe it or not but it does lead me to think about getting a snow blower.

How about OJ Simpson? Thirteen years to the day of when he was "pardoned" for killing his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman, he receives a guilty verdict in Vegas for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping. Apparently the sentence - even if it is light - could keep him in jail for much of his remaining days. I don't know if it brings much solace to the Goldman/Brown families since they wanted him to pay for the murder of their family members many years ago but the fact that his verdict arrives exactly on the day 13 years later is freaky to say the least. It might be the "ghost of Christmas past" coming back to haunt him in a very real way.
Ok....has everyone finished reading their copy of the Bailout Plan? Anyone? Apparently the only way they could get some of the H of R folks to vote for it was if they added some "fat projects" of theirs to the bill. So now we are paying for other stuff that isn't relevant to the bailing out of Wall Street. I did check the bill to see who didn't vote for it in my area - Congressman "Comb-over" Chabot voted No. The thing about this bill is no one reeeeaallly knows if it is going to work out or not. They are taking their best stab at it. Kinda like adding Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket.......
Speaking of the good Governor from Alaska.........I thought she had a good night at the debate as well as Senator Biden. Let's face it - either of these candidates were capable of turning this debate into a real nightmare! Thank God for 5 days of debate prep and 35 years of Congressional experience to keep everything in line. I compare Sarah Palin's efforts to her Republican Convention speech. She had a binder of information at her podium and since she can read well.....she had no problem following along. "Joe" as Sarah Palin likes to call Senator Biden did a lot of smiling during the debate and I am still trying to figure out if this was his way of belittling her comments or if he was simply thinking...."Wow...she is an attractive woman when she taunts me like that."
Hooray! to Tina Fey's impressions of the great moosehunter! It should be another lively SNL session tonight!

This has truly been a lively week all around and I know I could ramble on a few more topics but then I would miss my chance to cleanup the yard. Ugh! Everyone have a great week!

TA TA!

I'm voting Republican

2008-09-24T18:14:00.002-04:00

Not! But the video is fabulous!

Halloween

2008-09-23T20:44:00.004-04:00

I know it is a bit early to start talking about October 31st but what a fantastic way to get ideas for costumes! What got me started on this today is the fact that my new job actually allows their employees to dress up for the day. I can't even imagine such a privilege since my old job had no conception of providing such fun to their employees. Apparently, my new employer embraces such fun and frivolity amongst the staff and I must say I find that refreshing!

This year's theme (yes....they even have themes!)..........the Undead.

Now the first thing that popped into my mind when I heard the theme was Thriller. The classic example of a video full of "Undeads". It is a zombie freeforall. A quick trip to the Goodwill/Salvation Army store and I can find a plethora of interesting clothes to cut up into rags to remake my image into the perfect zombie! What fun! I am absolutely giddy with the idea of dressing up for work. I am not sure why that is but maybe it is because I really never had the opportunity in the last 18 years to do so at work.

As soon as Lyn heard of our theme.......she immediately thought I should dress up as John McCain. I think it is suiting since he has one foot in the grave anyway but because I have only been at this position for less than a month..........I don't think it is wise to throw any political jabs at my co-workers just yet. There will be plenty of time for that later when Obama wins and the Democrats take even more control of the House and Senate.

So are any of you afforded the same opportunity at Halloween? If so.....what are your costume plans? It's not too soon to start shopping at your local Halloween costume shop. The makeup and masks go quick folks so you better get shopping!

Booooo!

Political comparisons

2008-09-17T21:00:00.004-04:00

I do hereby promise that once we have elected whomever we elect as our President I will not write a political blog for at least three months after the election.

With that said.....I couldn't help but pass along the recent political fodder. If you are offended in anyway, it is what it is.

More facts can be found at http://www.factcheck.org/.

* If you are born in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents in Kansas, you're 'exotic, different.'
* If you grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, you're a quintessential American story.

* If your name is Barack, you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
* If you name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

* If you graduate from Harvard law School, you are unstable.
* If you attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
* If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system, while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
* If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

Chainsaw Massacre

2008-09-14T19:46:00.008-04:00

Coming soon.

Rita's got some tree damage thanks to Ike's mid-western swing. I have missing shingles and a demolished plant or two on the deck, nothing requiring serious labor.

If you've got a chainsaw and a spare Saturday, Rita's buying the beer. Bonfire to follow.

If she can find the fire pit.

Women Against Sarah Palin

2008-09-12T14:35:00.004-04:00

What a refreshing blog! Pass it along!

http://womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com

Diet angst

2008-09-08T19:05:00.005-04:00

I have recommitted myself to the South Beach diet plan. Of course I am feeling the "support" from Lyn to recommit as well. And she is right....I have packed on a few pounds and I need to get back to a proper fighting weight. "I am a healthier Rita" I tell myself. I tell myself that a lot. Let me emphasize the word a lot.

So now I am blogging so I can resist the urge to have a snack that will leave me feeling incredibly guilty tomorrow. I know I know....it is only day one of my recommitment. Diets are hell people! If a Jeanie would appear to me right now and grant me one wish, I would ask for the ability to eat whatever I want and not gain any more weight. Wouldn't that be grand? We ALL know women like that don't we? They can sit down and eat a large pepperoni pie with a pitcher of beer and still slide into a size 10. I hate those people.

I have never seen a size 10. Ok.....wait...I have seen it but I think I was in the 8th grade. Those days flew by me so fast I don't even remember sizes! EEEEEK!

I realize that there is really no easy way to lose weight. No matter what road you take in regards to your weight loss plan. Healthy food choices are a must if you stand a chance in hell to ever seeing something close to a size 10.

So pardon me for my dietary angst this evening. I am trying to get back on track and it just ain't an easy road. In the long run I know I will feel better. However, just know this, if you leave me alone in a room with your plate of nachos, cheesecake, chile con queso, pizza or a pot of clam chowdah........you do so at your own risk.

Fellow Navy POW speaks about McCain

2008-09-03T20:02:00.004-04:00

Alaska blog recommendation

2008-09-01T15:05:00.002-04:00

Just had to recommend this blog to my readers this afternoon. Fresh perspective straight from Alaska. It was highly informative and entertaining!

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/

Now I understand.....

2008-08-30T09:26:00.006-04:00

why men of either party would vote for John McCain just because of Governor Sarah Palin.

She has the whole "naughty librarian" look going on. We may lose some lesbian votes on these pictures alone.

Veeps - Part 2

2008-08-29T15:31:00.006-04:00

Wow.....what an interesting choice John McCain made today for his VP. The door is now closed on the whole "experience" discussion with this choice. He has chosen the Governor of one of the least populated states in the union - Sarah Palin. This is probably the best he can do at the moment.

A couple things that I just can't let go here.

1) If he thought he was going to get the women vote because he has a woman on his ticket, it is an insult to women everywhere. We are simply not going to vote for her just because she is a woman. She is NOT the right woman. She pales in comparison to Hillary. EEEEK!

2) How can she relate to mainstream America in the other 48 contiguous states? How does a Governor from Alaska relate to the struggles of Americans in Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis or Dallas? Alaska has a very specific demographic and I don't think she can relate to some of the issues that are occurring down here.

3) She has been governor for two years and they are trying to play up that she has "executive" experience. Ok......Obama hasn't governed a state but he has real world experience in a state government system - 8 years that oversees one of the largest cities in our nation. Plus the fact that he is currently in Congress. A two year governor?? Ok....I am going to say this......even Dubya had more experience than that!

4) Personally....she is an avid hunter and a snowmobiler. Avid hunter appeals to those in the NRA but I haven't heard any Democrat say that they are taking our guns away. As far as snowmobiling, she can probably drive and shoot at the same time. Sorry folks.....that is the best I can salvage from that one.

My two cents on this pick. Overall......I really like it! What a fabulous way to ensure that a Democrat walks into the White House in January!

Germania

2008-08-24T17:40:00.006-04:00

Oh what fun we have every year in August at Germania. We have a few Octoberfests around the Cincinnati area but this one clearly is the best. Crowds are small, the food is authentic and the beer is cold!

Some of the highlights:

They have a festive beer hall........

A lively and fiercly competitive Tug O' War competition is held featuring local fire/police departments, German organizations and of course the Ancient Order of Hiberians (the Irish). The picture below are the teams parading through the festival grounds.

Of course.....there are shots of Jager and Schnapps! The Jello Wench thoroughly enjoyed herself today!

And last but not least, it is worth mentioning the Wagon of Cheer! This is always popular for those who are feeling lucky! If there isn't something in this wagon that you care to drink......you don't even need to be at this festival!

All in all it is a good way to end the Summer on a positive note.......now where is my stein?

Drink Up, the Summer Wind Down Has Begun

2008-08-24T10:53:00.006-04:00

It's downright steamy this weekend.

Today we'll be joining Jello Shot Wench and assorted others for what's become a tradition -- lesbian invasion of the local Germania Society Oktoberfest. It's the first 'official' of umpteen Oktoberfests here in the Zinzinnati area. And yes, it's held in August. It's followed two weeks from now by the Main Strasse Oktberfest in Northern Kentucky, then a week or so later by the really big and much-too-crowded big one downtown.

Germania is a hoot for a couple of reasons. It's GREAT people watching -- old men in lederhosen, family guys pushing strollers and juggling giant steins, and whiny kids begging for food not involving sausage or sauerkraut.

And then there are the activities -- personal favorites include buying raffle tix for the wagon-of-cheer (booze), betting on the rat-in-the-hole game, and the high camp tug-o-war between the local German societies and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. (Go Irish!) Seriously, the opening ceremony for the tug-o-war includes a parade, flags, the works -- it rivals the Olympics. But with more beer.

Rita will post pics in a later post, if the camera can be properly focused. Until then, what sorts of local festivals are must-attend events in your city?

Veeps

2008-08-19T19:32:00.004-04:00

Here we are the night before Obama makes his big VP announcement tomorrow. Who will it be? Biden, Bayh or some guy I have never heard of from Virgina? I am pulling for Joe Biden myself. I have always liked the guy's tenacity and posture during Senate debates and the Democratic debates. He's been around the block or two and clearly has some things he liked to say about presidential hopeful John McCain. He would bring a balance to the Democratic Nominee scale.

As for "McPain", I keep hearing that his buddy ol' Joe Lieberman may be his front runner. Joe doesn't do much for me. In fact, if this is the best McPain can do in choosing a running mate someone may as well turn out the lights in the dance hall because dance is over. I mean.....we keep hearing he needs to choose someone who will shake things up but I don't think this is the guy. This isn't a run for the AARP head offices - it's a run for the Presidency.

Either way........we will all know how these campaigns stack up in the next 10 days. Once we know, the polls will run rampant, debates will begin and every newscaster on television with a inch of breath left in him after the Olympics will have an opinion.

Summer is really over folks. They have us where they want us - sitting right in front of our TV's with nothing else to do........

Katie Reider tribute

2008-08-16T10:19:00.020-04:00

Last night a benefit was held in Cincinnati by WomenOutFront at the Below Zero Lounge to raise money and support for Katie Reider's family. As you know Katie lost her battle fighting a rare tumor last month at the young age of 30. Local area tri-state musicians were on hand to pay tribute to Katie by playing her music and celebrating her life through her songs.

Wicked Daisy

Perfectly Equal

Frozen Feet

The raffle and silent auction contained a wide variety of donated items for folks to bid on.

Oh yeah.....and there were Jello Shots.......sold by the Jello Shot wench.

Katie's father, Rob Reider, and her partner Karen Reider were also on hand last night to listen to the bands pay tribute. All of the proceeds gathered last night will go to Karen and her children to help pay some of the bills that were accumulated during Katie's fight. All in all it was a very nice evening remembering someone so talented and special.

See the video attached on this blog to hear Katie remembered by her family at her memorial service held last month.

Resigning with flair

2008-08-12T19:56:00.003-04:00

I guess anyone who has resigned from a job has mentally positioned themselves the night before on how it will happen and what type of emotion they will let leak out. If you are leaving a position for your best interests, you don't want to appear too happy yet you don't want to look like you are attending your best friend's funeral. I mean.....you don't want to burn any bridges so skipping out of your boss' office might be a bit carefree. After all.......you didn't win the lottery......you still have to work for a living. Leave the skipping for the big Powerball win.

Tomorrow, I will turn in my resignation to a company where I have worked for over 18 years. It kinda feels like a marriage after all this time. In this case, this is a separation that needs to happen for me. I have lost confidence in the executives leading "the cause" and I have waited around much to long for my next promotion. I am not a slacker by any means and I am packing up my toys (aka. experience) and moving on to another playground - one that is a bit smaller and less crowded.

After 18 years.....you get to know a lot of people and you have a groove that you settle into. There are people who I will miss and there will be people who I would much rather forget. In the same regard I am sure there are some who will feel the same about me. Either way, I am making a move at a time in my life where it feels absolutely right. It's now or never - Eat or be eaten. Those who know me well know that I always enjoy a good meal.

So tonight it is about formulating my thoughts and measuring my words so I that can leave this company respectfully. I am closing this chapter in the book of my life. No hard feelings.......it's just not working for me anymore.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply lay down the pen and walk away...........

Olympic Games

2008-08-05T19:40:00.008-04:00

If we can get past the fact that the Olympic games are being held in one of the smoggiest most repressed nations of the world just for a minute........let's play word association.

When you hear the word Olympics...........what is the first thing you that comes to your mind? Besides......."Oh God...not two weeks of pre-empted television programming!"

When I hear "Olympics" the image that comes to my mind immediately is Mary Lou Retton taking the Gold medal in the Women's All-Around in LA in 1984. No snickering in the back row! I was 18 that summer and the images of Mary Lou hitting the Vault and landing it - stick right in my mind. I think that was the first Olympics where the United States actually had a fighting chance in gymnastics and Mary Lou did America proud that Summer. (see video on the right side of this blog in case you forgot)

Maybe its generational for some folks. Maybe you remember Wilma or Nadia or Katerina or Mark Spitz or Kerri Strug. Maybe you remember the Olympics because you actually got to see them in person! I have to admit I would like to do that myself one day. It will probably cost me dearly but to see one event would be fun.

So good or bad.........when you hear "Olympics" what comes to mind for you?

Mamma Mia!

2008-08-03T14:39:00.008-04:00

Ok....Lyn and I went to see Mamma Mia! last night. If you care to read her take on the show....feel free. I found it to be a great movie!

Yeah ok.....I will freely admit that I do know some of the Abba songs word for word. I don't know why. I was turned on to Abba at the age of 17 and no one stopped me. So yes.....with the exception of three of the songs in the movie, I sang along.....quietly. I didn't stand up and dance in the theater aisle as Lyn would have you believe. I was quite entertained yet maintained my composure and didn't embarrass anyone.

Wendy....you were right....Meryl Streep gave a fabulous performance. After the movie I really took a moment and thought about when Meryl Streep gave a bad performance. (I wasn't a fan of her performance in Bridges - I thought her role as an Italian woman was a stretch) She looked like she had a ton of fun with this character. Everyone stepped out of the box to do their singing roles - even Pierce Brosnan - but that's what an actors do right?

I had been told if you were a fan of the Broadway show you would definitely like the movie. Well.....I had not seen the Broadway show but I was a fan of Abba music so I didn't think twice about seeing the movie.

If you want to see something that is as light and airy as a good chocolate mousse.......this is the movie for you. It is simply fun and lighthearted and is a good distraction from what the rest of the world has to offer at the moment.

The View

2008-07-31T11:21:00.003-04:00

Just a quick post this morning about "The View". I am lucky enough to be working from home today so I am able to catch the show at its regularly scheduled broadcast time.

I love this show but after listening to yet another cat fight between the ladies about the presidential campaign, I have to ask..............can someone please send Elizabeth Hasselbeck back to Survivor island?

I am glad to see that it is not only Rosie who draws her ire on this program. She had Whoopi so worked up I thought she would simply flip the table and come out slugging.

Ohhhhh.....these disillusioned Republicans are simply causing me indigestion......

It's Friday!!!

2008-07-25T04:23:00.004-04:00

This has been quite the week! So many things going on in my life and in Lyn's life that it has got me running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off. I am so ready just to grab a cocktail and sit back and relax.

The week started off by a big family weekend with visiting relatives. They only come home once a year and when they do everybody drops everything and starts making plans centered around them. So all week I have had random invitations to come to dinner, eat out, etc etc. You know how it is........someone close to you is on vacation for a week and the subtle (or not so subtle) expectation is that you will be as free-wheeling as they are for seven days. Nice in theory but the rest of us who have other responsibilities just can't keep up.

In the last month or so I have been entertaining new job opportunities and dealing with those negotiations have kept me distracted a bit. So it is natural that my family wants to know all about it every single day I see them. I just got to the point where I told my Mom - gently - don't call me I will call you. Ok.....that was paraphrased a bit but I just couldn't take one more morning call asking me if I had heard anything yet. Eeeeeek! I compare it to the child sitting in the backseat of the car saying "Are we there yet?" repeatedly. Who needs more anxiety on top of the command appearances at family dinners for the relatives that come home once a year?

One highlight of the week was that I had my brand spankin' new iPhone! Ahhh yes.....it arrived last Friday afternoon. Do I think it is all that and a bag of chips? OH YESSSS! I have downloaded some fabulous new applications from iTunes that keep me even more connected to the world that I ever have been before. Lyn has gotten her hands on the device as well and agrees that this really is one amazing little gadget. The best part about this is........this type of phone technology will only get better because of the iPhone's capabilities. Everyone wants to be bigger and better. Competition breeds better stuff my friends!

Lyn's little dog Bailey had a little overnight stay at the vet this week. All I can say is thank God there are emergency vet clinics where your beloved pet can get quick attention to their medical emergencies! They can happen to all of us and the upside to these emergency clinics is that you don't have to wait in line like you do at the human hospitals! Lyn was already concerned enough but if she had to sit in a waiting room for 5 hours it would have been reeeeaaally ugly. It looks like Bailey will be just fine and simply needs to have her diet adjusted. I have been warned that all treats - other than the crude, bland, lifeless dog biscuits - will be off limits to Bailey. This will take a bit of self-control on my part now because the dog has a certain level of expectation of me. Kinda like the relatives who come to visit once a year..........

Lastly...I received an email from a friend yesterday that outlined the Book of Revelations and how Obama may be the anti-Christ. Needlesstosay, she is a McPain supporter and would rather vote for McPain than cast a vote for Obama. Enough said on that one.

So this weekend it is about regaining life as we know it. Hopefully we will be able to get caught up on some movies. I hear The Dark Knight is great! I am hearing mixed reviews on Mamma Mia. I would be interested in hearing from someone who saw either one of these movies to get your reviews!

Turkey Poachers.

2008-07-16T20:16:00.004-04:00

In my own workplace!

I figured this was good post for WTR -- Rita's been bitching that I haven't posted here lately. And this seemed appropriately humorous, even though when relating the tale to her earlier, she BLAMED THE VICTIM.

My workplace is cafeteria deficient. So there are several strategically placed 'culinary stations'. Some are more formal than others -- only one has a sink, for example. And one also houses the copier/printer machine, so it's not really terribly culinary. Or sanitary, I suspect.

I choose to store my foodstuffs in the fridge closest to me -- no sink in the area, but quite a nice parking lot view and a large table. The team which technically 'owns' this space is kind enough to let myself and one other marketing type share it, though this wasn't always the case.

Three years or so back, there was an admin on this team who took it upon herself to post 'fridge rules and responsibilities' on the door. With bold type and red underlines, it assigned responsibility for weekly cleaning, etc. She also, about the time she created the schedule, got wise to the fact that evil marketing person me was sneaking a bit of shelf space now and then. So she promptly posted another note indicating that she was polling her 'team' to see if 'they' were willing to let me use 'their' fridge. Heh.

At that time, the most I ever stored in the fridge was a bottle of water or a backup diet soda. So I sort of chose to ignore the cleaning schedule. These days, when lunch out of the office requires budgeting for both the meal and gas to get there from our restaurant-deficient 'hood, and when I try to adhere to a somewhat healthy/carb free weekday menu, I use the fridge quite a bit.

'Course, the fact that snarky admin is gone, taking her sign with her, and amazingly, the fridge is clean and welcoming, may also have something to do with it. And it's been a fairly peaceable relationship. Until today.

My turkey was poached. And I caught the poachers. Red-handed. About to pop open the little pack and build a sandwich. With my turkey. In front of me.

Now it's been a rough week so far. And I'd skipped breakfast because of a meeting, and was just getting to lunch about 1, after yet another meeting. I wanted that turkey. I had pickles as a side.

So I wasn't quite as subtle as I might have been. "Hey, that's my turkey," I announced, my eager little eyes spying it in John's hand.

"There's no name on it. Is it really your's?"

Now I like John. But he's pretty slight, and if challenged, and hungry, I'm pretty sure I could take him. But I opted instead for charm.

"But it's MINE. It goes with the pickles," I insist, turning to the fridge to show him where they all had been aligned, in a neat little row on the far left. "And the cheese.... hey, did you take the cheese stick too?!"

Apparently the tone of my voice was cause for alarm. John meekly held out the turkey. "I didn't see a cheese stick. Honest."

Thank god the pickles were safe.

So I'm relating this to Rita during the drive home. She suggested, quite seriously, that 1) I should put my name on my lunch, and 2) keep in it a proper container, not a pile in the corner.

Urrrgh. I gotta go label some cheese sticks....

Katie Reider 1978 - 2008

2008-07-14T17:11:00.006-04:00

Many of you have read my posts over the last couple of years about Katie Reider. Recently I posted about her rare Myofibroblastic Inflammation tumor and her two year fight to beat the odds.

Katie's fight ended this morning shortly before 7am.

To say that this is a blow to those who admired and loved her is an understatement. Katie possessed a unique quality of being able to reach out and connect to her audience in such a way that you just couldn't get enough. She "oozed" something that drew you in hook, line and sinker.

She had so much life and vitality and so much to look forward to with her family and her career. She was just getting started and her popularity was growing. Katie was too young to leave this earth, but she blessed us all with her grace and presence and I consider myself lucky to have heard her perform.

Rest in peace Katie. We are all better people for having known you.

Katie Reider news story

Old men

2008-07-13T08:03:00.004-04:00

I couldn't resist copying this from facebook and adding it to my blog. It really requires no further explanation on what America doesn't need.

iPhone Friday

2008-07-11T18:47:00.004-04:00

Well....today was iPhone Friday! I arrived promptly at the store at 6:10 this morning. There were 21 people and a Chocolate Lab in front of me. (sigh) So I took a seat on the closest bench to my place in line and waited.

At 7 am, there were about 15 people behind me when the store manager came out and proclaimed - "Folks....I only have 20 phones today." (gulp) "Twenty phones?" we gasped, "Only twenty?" "That's right.....only twenty." he said. I started my count again of the crowd in front of me to make sure I was not wrong. I wasn't wrong. I was 22 - 23 counting the dog.

I shouted out to the folks in front of me - some of which spent the night in front of the damn store - "How many of you are actually buying a phone today?". Hands began to raise and some of those folks with them did not raise their hands. They were there for the thrill of this I suppose. I counted again - 5, 10, 14 and I was 15! I had a chance! Maybe I wouldn't have to order one and wait ten more days! My heart started beating rapidly and my mouth got dry.

"Ok".......said a gentlemen in front of me. "How many of you want the 8 GB phone and how many of you want the 16 GB phone?" The hands and the shout outs began again. There were ten people in front of me who wanted one of the ten 16 GB phones. (sigh) I would have to order one because I wanted a 16 GB phone and was not content in settling for something less.

Undaunted, I waited my turn in line from 8am to 9am and then went in and placed my order for a Black 16 GB iPhone. I even bought myself a nifty iPhone holder for my belt for when this new little toy arrives in 10 days.

Yes I know. Who stands in front of a store two hours before it opens? Well....I do, but at least I didn't camp out. Although.....if I had I would be blogging tonight from my iPhone and not from my PC. Who knew the store would only be given 20 phones? I was expecting them to get 50! From what I hear, the store I was standing in front of was one of the shorter lines. In Kentucky, the nearest store had 75 people standing out front and some of them started their "campout" at 5pm the previous day!!

Again.....ya gotta know me. I love electronic gadgets. It is an adrenaline rush for me to hold one of these iPhones in my hand. I break out into a sweat and my heart beats rapidly. This is the most exciting little gadget that I have seen in a long while. It can do some amazing things and it is truly fun to use.

So while I am a bit disappointed that it is not in my hot little hands right at this moment, I know that I only have to wait a little while longer to enjoy it. For those of you who were able to get one today, don't leave it lying around anywhere.....I have nine more days to go!

McStiff

2008-07-07T22:04:00.005-04:00

You know I really don't want to pick on the man's mannerisms or his wife's cosmetic disasters but has anyone else noticed that John McCain cannot turn his head to the left or to the right? His whole body has to move in the direction of the where he wants to direct his speech.

You would think by now that he would want to project a more youthful (not possible) appearance considering he is running against someone who looks old enough to be his son. Combine his appearance with his "old world" philosophies and he really has a great losing combination.

Last one out turn out the lights on the old guy so he can go back to sleep...........