Yikes

The prince is home sick today. All the symptoms of strep throat but the rapid test was negative. We'll wait for the longer version to finish. Meanwhile, he shared a drink with the princess at the movie yesterday...

Super Brian's Kryptonite

Last Sunday I got a new laptop. We turned down the opportunity to have the Geek Squad come and hook it up for $100.

We couldn't get it to work. We could hook it up to our internet connection but couldn't get out onto the web.

Friday night Super Brian came over to fix it. He replaced our router. He spent 3 hours working on it. He couldn't fix it. He tried. He stayed until after 11:00 PM. I think he went home and cried. He had found his kryptonite.

Saturday I could hook up to the internet!!! Super Brian HAD fixed it--or so I thought for a little while. But I was soon booted off. After trial and error all day, it seemed that if another computer was running or the phone was being used, I couldn't get on. Later in the evening, when I was home alone with no phone being used and no other computers turned on, it still wasn't working.

It really was Super Brian's kryptonite.

So tomorrow the Geek Squad will be coming out in an attempt to fix it-for $100. Maybe it's their kryptonite too. If they can't replace it, we'll return it. The Geek guy (also referred to as an "agent") said it could be a Vista/XP thing. Whatever!

Maybe that beautiful new laptop is my kryptonite too!!!

Funny Email

To all my friends and relatives who have sent me best "wishes", chain letters, "angel" letters or other promises of good luck

NONE OF IT WORKED!!!

Could you please just send cash, margaritas, chocolate, wine or airline tickets instead?

Thank you!

Perspective

Our weather's been unseasonably cold with much more snow than we usually get. So today it's in the high 50* and SUNNY!!! It's so funny how warm that feels. When I went out to get groceries today I saw several people out on motorcycles, our mailman was wearing shorts, and one guy was driving a convertible with the top down!! These are the same people who, if it had been 80* and dropped to 57*, would be bundled up in sweaters and coats!!!

Our snow mounds have decreased greatly, but there's still plenty of snow in the back yard, and the tree that was really buried is now really leaning! We'll have to stake it in the spring.

Blessed Montana

For those of us who've been there:

BLESSED MONTANA

On the sixth day God turned to the Archangel Gabriel and said: "Today I am going to create a land called Montana. It will be a land of outstanding natural beauty; a land of lakes, each one full of fish. It shall have tall majestic pines, peacefully flowing rivers, landscapes full of buffalo, tall grass, eagles, beautiful blue skies, forests full of bear, elk and moose, and it will be rich in farmland."

God continued, "I shall make the land rich in resources so as to make the inhabitants prosper and they shall be known as a most friendly people, people who practice being nice every day."

"But Lord," asked Gabriel, "don't you think you are being too generous to these Montana people?"

"Not really," replied God, "just wait until you see the winters I am going to give them."

Blessed be the winters...for it keeps the rif-raf out!

PHEW!

Phew! I remembered the funny dinner story. Maybe I won't have to see my doctor about my dementia just yet.

I racked my brains for something that might have happened at our table. Suffice it to say, we're boring. But then I remembered...

Last Saturday night I went to meet "the girls" for dinner out. We went to Famous Daves--a bbq place that's very popular. It sits on a MAIN road--lots of traffic. When I pulled in I was lucky to get a good parking spot on the main road, close to the door (that usually doesn't happen!) I was a few minutes early so was listening to a good song on the radio (Hal Ketchum--Small Town Saturday Night) when the elderly couple two cars down from me came out of the restaurant.

They got in their truck and then he got right back out and walked up onto the grass in front of his parking space. He then UNZIPPED HIS PANTS AND RELIEVED HIMSELF!!!!! Right there, facing the busy road, for all to see. I was lucky to be blocked from a bird's eye view by his truck.

Now, if he'd been thinking...he would have used the bathroom in Famous Dave's, which I know was working because once we were seated, I had a view of the bathroom and could see men and women going in and coming out all evening.

Again, if he'd been thinking...he could of walked over to where I was parked because at least there were high bushes in front of my car that would have blocked the people on the road from being able to see him. (I would have had to duck inside my car so as not to embarrass us both!)

As it was, he just took care of business...right there...in front of God, me, and everyone else. Then he got back in his truck and drove away.

I was howling, laughing!!! Sheesh!

So does this story translate in blog form? It was funny at the time!

More insignificance...

My sister writes: No, no, no! In an e-mail on 1-11 you said, "Check out the blog in the next day or so. Funny thing happened at dinner last night!" So, I'm still waiting...SKS

My reply: Huh, I took a test at work the other day that showed I might have dementia. This might be another sign because I have no memory of that email or of anything funny happening at dinner lately! Shoot. I'd better make an appointment to see my doctor!!! ;)

Funny Dinner Story

When my sister read the previous post, she commented back, wanting to know what the funny dinner story is. No where in the post do I mention a funny dinner story--do I? Nope. I think not. So I decided she must be referring to my comment to Brian that I had chili for lunch??? Here's the story behind that:

Brian's got a blog, and for a couple of days he commented on what he had for lunch. Then he decided, if his blog was just going to be about what he ate, maybe he wouldn't blog. So for a few days, he didn't post. I then saw him last weekend and told him I needed him to update his blog so I would know what he was eating. He then blogged that he had an omelet. Thus my reference to having eaten chili.

Not funny at all. And one of the insignificant blog posts I was just talking about too!!!

A new post

Mary Beth says I need a new post. I guess it has been about 2 weeks. But I'm back at work now and so don't have time to focus on the insignificant as much. Mind you, the blog is not insignificant, but most of my postings are!

I got a new computer--a laptop--and as soon as SUPER BRIAN comes over to fix it, I'll be blogging from it. Right now it's got some glitch that won't let me hook up to the Internet. Maybe the king really bought one without Internet connection so I can't be on the computer all the time!!

So that's it from here. Blog post completed. And, in case SUPER BRIAN happens to read this post, I had chili for lunch!

I'M A LOSER

When you play Karaoke Revolution, if you're really bad you get booed (or rained) off the stage. Being the gifted vocalist that I am, that's never happened to me--yet!

I figured my vocal abilities would translate into equally awesome guitar abilities so when I took my first turn at Guitar Hero-Aerosmith the other day, I was a little surprised to find that I was not very good and that, sure enough, Joe Perry threw down his guitar, Steven Tyler threw down the microphone stand, and the band WALKED OFF THE STAGE during my "Sweet Emotion" solo!!!

The prince had to then put me in "practice" mode so I wouldn't feel like such a loser. But sooner or later, with a lot of practice (you know, when I'm 13 again and have lots of extra time), I'm gonna totally ROCK that song!

Happy New Year!

May you be blessed with

all good things in 2009.

Kids of the '80s

Though I graduated in the early 80's, my brother, sister, and some cool, hip, YOUNG friends will be able to relate to these even more than I did!


You Know You Grew Up In the 80's IF:

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton.
3. You know that 'WOAH' comes from Joey on Blossom.
4. If you ever watched 'Fraggle Rock'.
5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
9. You played the game 'MASH'(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
11. You know the profound meaning of ' WAX ON , WAX OFF'.
12. You wanted to be a Goonie.
13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (Some of us...head-to-toe)
14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off, his cheeks shifted and his nationality became questionable.
15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard.
17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
18. You still get the urge to say 'NOT' after every sentence.
19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying 'I know you are, but what am I?' 23. You remember 'I've fallen and I can't get up'.
24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
25. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
29. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
30. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as 'NKOTB'
31. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on 'Saved By The Bell,' The ORIGINAL class.
32. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
33. You just sang those words to yourself.
34. You still sing 'We are the World'.
35. You tight rolled or french cuffed your jeans. And still debate on which is the right term!
36. You owned a bannana clip.
37. You remember 'Where's the Beef?'
38. You used to (and probably still do) say 'What you talkin' 'bout Willis?'
39. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!
40. Your hair looked BIG for at least 1 school picture!

Notice there's no #20. There wasn't one when it was sent to me!

More snow!

While we're on the topic of snow...these are cute!

Snow Wonder!

There was a pretty good chunk of snow on the ground when we left town. While we were away, we were hit by another 8 inches or so--some parts of town got up to 12 inches. After it snowed, the winds came. Big, big winds. While we were quite impressed with the winds and snow drifts last January, I think these December drifts are bigger! We are fortunate to have great neighbors who came over to shovel us out before we got home. (Don't worry, they aren't our BEST neighbors ever--Brian and Mary Beth still hold that title--but we were very grateful and did get them a pizza!) Yesterday the temps got up to about 50* so some melted. Today it's in the 40*s so we'll see more melting. After that it cools down again and guess what? More snow predicted! Global warming, shwarming!

This is a "smaller" drift near our back gate.

Notice the green grass! Also, in the front part of this photo is our firepit--pretty much buried.

At this drift, we could probably easily hoist ourselves into Nate and Amber's yard. They could walk over that garden fence and the barb wire fence into the field behind them to go sledding.

This is the tallest peak. Notice our little tree (about 6 feet high), buried. The kids could walk on the top of this drift. It'll take months for it to melt!

What good is snow if you can't play in it!!! The prince built a tunnel but then he stood on the top of it and it collapsed! Winter fun!

Christmas Fun

Many a new Christmas memory was made while we were in the land of Utah. We had a great time, and will be talking about this Christmas for years to come!

The Prince and Princess got a Wii from Santa. It was a HUGE hit!

The Prince, getting a guitar part.

The Princess, getting a new boombox--those are hard to find these days!

Christmas Eve meant lots of games including Christmas Bingo, Christmas Tree Unlucky Seven (not really sure what that game is called), and really HARD, RIGGED Christmas Name That Tune, and Time Bomb. Time Bomb has been in Marty's family for EVER (since 1964--which was a great year, by the way) so we had to be very careful with the time bomb, but boy did it get a lot of laughs. (Think hot potatoe.)

Waiting for Time Bomb to begin.

Cousins under the tree!

These four went to the Air Force Museum in Ogden on the only clear day we were there. They had a great time. Years ago, Rich had promised Matt that someday they would go together. That didn't happen, so while they were there, they sent a "shout out" to Matt, who spent his last Christmas in Indiana. He'll be home in 6 months!

Goofball.

Our yearly photo by our tree before we headed to Utah.

Special Christmas Memory

Okay, so last night we were doing a White Elephant gift exchange. Andy had snagged himself a cool soccer ball and matching bouncing ball. Later the princess found herself in the position to steal a gift. She looked around and paused to check out the balls Andy was now trying to cover up. He then looked up at her and said,

"Don't even think about touching my precious balls!"

Needless-to-say, in the company we keep, the meaning was clear!

Merry Christmas

We'll be celebrating with the Skabelunds this year. There will be many a Hallmark moment, as the King requires it!! Merry Christmas from our house to yours. (Click on the cartoon to enlarge.)

Winter Break

We were out of school on Friday, and not a minute too soon! I didn't write this little ditty, but you'll see why I like it! Merry Christmas.

"Christmas in an Elementary School"

(to the tune of “Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland”)

Children scream, they won't lis-in'
When they go, we won't miss em',
In all of this pain, we try to stay sane,
Workin' in an element'ry school.

Christmas comes, they're excited,
Though our nerves, they've ignited,
They're off of the walls, they run in the halls,
Workin' in an element'ry school.

In the lunchroom we can hear them yellin'
And we know that they are really wound.
Someone hits, the other says, "I'm tellin"
And that is when our heads begin to pound.

Pretty soon we'll be restin'
Cause our nerves, they've been testin'
We're happy it's clear
It comes once a year
Christmas in an element'ry school!

Weather update

This morning it was MINUS 14* but MINUS 26* with the wind chill. (No wind chill yesterday!)

I was the life of that party!

It's good to be confident. So even though he didn't go out for the dance team (see blog entry below), it's nice to know the prince can still find his place in the dance world. After the school dance Friday afternoon, I picked him up, and he told me, "I was the life of that party." He went on to explain that he was instrumental in getting the majority of the school into the congo line. He was soooo "good" at one point, that they cleared a spot for him in the middle of the mash pit where he could "dance". Mind you, dancing means jumping up and down and bobbing one's head. Funny that he complained of his neck hurting the rest of the weekend!

He wants to audition to be the school mascot when he gets to high school. I think he may have found his calling!

I think I'll join the dance team...

"I think I'll join the dance team."

You'd expect to hear that from the princess. You might not be too surprised if I said it (being in my cool, adult, hip-hop dance class and all). But the prince??

Yep, he told me that a couple of weeks ago.

Of course, there are no boys on the dance team. So he and a friend went to the principal and asked to join. The principal said, "Nope!" He went on to explain that there are an equal number of sports offered to boys and girls at school. The prince then pointed out that girls are allowed to play football and wrestle. Additionally, at our school, the school doesn't sponsor football or wrestling. They are offered independently. Thus, there is not an equal availability of sports, and the guys fall short. The principal looked at the boys for a minute and then said, "Hmm...I'll check with the athletic director."

I'm pretty sure that, if the prince ever gets a phone, the ring-tone he'll choose when I am calling him will be "Don't Bring Me Down" by ELO. Because at this point in the "gotta dance" saga, I told him that, if he did make the team, he'd be at every 6:30 practice, he'd not miss a performance, and he'd be respectful and a good sport at every turn...

The next day an organizational meeting was called for this year's team. Anyone interested had to attend. The prince and his five friends were suddenly NOT interested in joining! (CHICKENS!)

What a bunch of dorks! I give him credit for fighting the fight. It was a true cause. But if you're going to choose a battle, plan to follow it through.

His current cause: a petition to let them slide on the ice at school. Good luck with that!!!

We're losers!

Survivor's over for another season, and we've yet to win the Survivor pool! But there's always next season!

Brrrrrrr

MINUS 18* on my way to work this morning!!!!

Family Photo

My kids say I should change the family photo on this blog, but I don't know. I like to remember them like that. And that was only 2 years ago. My, how they change!

Another recipe

I must think I'm Betty Crocker! Try this yummy, EASY idea:

It'll work with any pork:

put pork in crockpot
cover with one can of cranberry sauce and one bottle of BBQ sauce.
Cook until pork is finished.

Easy, yummy...

And then there was one...

The only gal left is Sugar, whom the prince drew, and whom we all thought would be one of the first to go! Go figure!

The princess' gal was voted out this week.

Even though he's gone, he's still pretty!

World FAMOUS Stuffing

I invented the BEST stuffing ever for Thanksgiving. It's not at all healthy, but it sure is tasty. Here's the recipe:

You'll need:
1 pound sausage
1.5 Cups onion (diced)
1.5 Cups celery (diced)
2 Cups butter (4 sticks)
4 bags stuffing (any brand but the bigger chunks of bread, the better)
3 cans chicken broth

Brown sausage, onion, and celery together.
Pour off grease.

In large pot melt butter.
Add sausage mixture.
Add 2 bags of stuffing and 1 can of broth. Mix.
Add other 2 bags of stuffing and 1 can of broth. Mix.
Add third can of broth--as needed to moisten.

Pour into 1 12X9 greased pan and 1 9X9 greased pan.

Cover and bake at 350* for 1 hour. Stuffing will be moist on top and crunchy on bottom. If you don't want any crunchy stuffing, don't cook as long.

Quote of the Day

As a third grade class was walking into my lab today and I was giving them each a little squirt of hand sanitizer, a cute little girl looked up at me and said, "Sometimes, when I run, my tailbone hurts."

Hmmm...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Divorce

A man in Jacksonville calls his son in San Diego two days before Thanksgiving and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing. Forty-five years of misery is enough."

Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the father says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Denver and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."

She calls Jacksonville immediately, and screams at her father, "You are NOT getting divorced! Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "they're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way."

That Happened to Me!

That totally happened to me the first time I made a turkey for Thanksgiving when I was in college!!!

Unfortunately they are trusting me to cook the turkey this year. But maybe...