No More Blago No More Blago No More Blago

This post was inspired by Mudpuppy and his legitimate rant about the Chicago Sun Times and the quality of the news articles they publish. Since I actually work for an advertising research company I have to read CST for a living! I also read other Illinois newspapers too. Everything is bad, bad and more bad. Plus throw in all the useless crap and it is enough to make your head spin or blow up.

I could list a bunch of links to a bunch of really stupid stories but considering I am at work(shh don't tell my boss) I will just point out what I saw in the January 17 issue of the Chicago Tribune. This was the day after Capt Chesley Sullenberger saved 150 people on an US Airways by landing a disabled jetliner on the Hudson River. (I'm sure most of you have heard about this but if not here is a link to my blog post.)

Anyway I start to "read" the Tribune and on the front page near the bottom is the beginning of an article about the crash. It has a very small headline and is continued on page 4. Ok is there anyone out there that does not think this story merits a front page lead story with a big ass headline? And what do you think the lead story actually was? Yep, you guessed it! Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Does anyone care about this man? Every since he tried to allegedly "sell the senate seat" it has been all Blago and nothing but Blago. I can't take it anymore! Oh and while I'm on the subject of bad news my head will definitely blow off if I have to see Drew Peterson one more time. The guy in Illinois with one dead wife and one missing wife. I'm not elaborating on him and all I can say is OJ Simpson like.



Anyway I have to get back to reading useless articles and bad news so if you hear someone screaming it's only me.

Attention: Marines will be closed for Superbowl

My son called a few days ago and said he would be coming home this weekend. He doesn't usually come home for the weekend as it is an eight hour drive from his base to our house. But this is a special weekend because Sunday is Superbowl and apparently some of those Marines like to party a little bit. Oh my gosh! Tell me it is not true! Ah, seriously, my son says the Marines know that the boys and girls won't be worth anything so they are giving them Monday off. Why can't my employer think like that?

Now, next weekend happens to be when I will be playing the 50 year old bridesmaid so I decided that I needed take Monday off too! And not because I will have a hangover either. Just want to be able to see LCpl Honda for more than a few hours.

So all you terrorists, dictators or any crazy world leaders out there please don't start any crap this weekend because the Marines will have left the building.

The Sneeze Factor

Everybody does it. So why does everyone do it differently? Why do some people sneeze so loud that it actually scares people? I am surrounded by annoying people with strange sneezing habits. It is especially bad at work. I used to sit next to this woman who would always sneeze a minimum of three times. But it could total five. And she also practically screams Achoo each time. There is another woman in another part of my office that is an Achoo screamer too. The absolute worst is the guy that sits on the other side of my cubicle. He is not so much a screamer but the sound coming out of him makes me want to duck under my desk to avoid a potential germ shower. He also has another unique trait. He sounds like a horn when blowing his nose.

Hey guy, what's wrong with using the restroom to play your instrument? Please. And one other thing dude, Cover your face, wash your hands and please stay out of the breakroom when blowing your nose!!!

There is also one woman that yells, "Isn't anyone going to bless me?" if someone doesn't immediately 'bless her' after she sneezes. Achoo screaming woman number one has personally taken on this task because she is also a 'bless you' militant. Me and another woman sneeze very quietly and this is always met with, "That wasn't even a real sneeze." Felt like one to me thank you.

I even live with this at home because Corvette is an Achoo screamer too. He scared our grandaughter Butterfly so much at Christmas that she actually said, "GRANDPA!!" I asked him why he sneezes that way and he said it was to get it out. Huh?

Well, sorry about the sneezing rant but I had to "get it out".

Better Watch Out the Fat Virus is Out There!

I ran across this story this morning. It states that the virus known as AD-36, infects the lungs then whisks around the body, forcing fat cells to multiply and also causing sore throats.

Are they kidding? I don't know if I believe this and sure hope they are not using my tax dollars for this. So does this virus exclude people living in improverished countries? How do all the stick skinny Hollywood women avoid this virus?

Please don't get me wrong, I am not poking fun at overweight people. I just think there are more things like cancer to do research on. You can read the whole story here.

Inauguration Day, Superbowl and "bag clips"

I just finished watching Barack Obama become our 44th President, along with about 15 or so co-workers in our breakroom. We were told we were not allowed to watch on our computers because even though America is a democracy, I work under a dictatorship. Now I understand that people can't just be surfing, Myspacing, emailing, blogging (oops) all day long but this was history so I have been peeping at the events all day. (take that IT guy)

I really thought I would feel more emotion about this. But for some reason I don't. I was really proud to be able to witness this event in my lifetime, but I think I felt more emotion on election night. Maybe it was because Obama did not come out and WoW with his speech like he usually does. I remember his speech at the 2004 Democratic convention as being way more charismatic. I thought to my self, "Who is this guy?"

Maybe he was just nervous and realizing what a incredibly daunting job that lies ahead. Anyway I do wish President Obama the very best in the coming days and years.

On another note, I ran across this article on Military.com by Michele Obama. She talks about she and her husband's commitment to the military and their families. Please take time to read it. It made me feel good because hey, my son & nephew have a new boss.


Ok, on the Superbowl. How about those Cardinals!!!. I live in Arizona so all I can say is:


"We are going to the Superbowl baby!"


Even though I not a real big football fan, it is my home state so I have to get excited about that. My sons who are football freaks are now besides themselves. Especially since Hippie Guy was a diehard Green Bay Packers fan and was devastated when Brett Farve jumped ship. But anyway let the wooting begin.


Now on to the "bag clips". After almost two months of living in our new home Corvette and I are proud to announce the addition of window shades. Yes the windows have been naked the entire time because we just couldn't seem to find the time to put something up. And no we did not go around flashing our neighbors. The houses are built so you can not see inside your neighbors windows. We also have four small, high windows and to see in you would have to have a 12ft ladder. We were going to leave these uncovered but after waking up on the weekends and practically being blinded by the sun I decided it would be better to cover them too. Anyway after going back and forth we decided to "copy" our neighbors and go with pleated blinds. They were inexpensive, easy to hang and I really love the look. One problem, though they are made of paper and my cat has figured this out sooo since she stays in the front bedroom when we are gone I think we may have to settle for curtains in there. Cats may have nine lives but if Corvette gets home before me to find shredded shades it won't be pretty. The only thing I dislike about the shades is they came with these little clips that look just like bag clips. No kidding. They are used to hold the shades open. We laughed about the bag clip thing all morning. I finally said that maybe I will go to Michaels and find something cute or cool to glue on them. Or maybe I will have to just see if I can find a fancier clip. Besides I need more bag clips anyway!


Here is a picture of the shades. This isn't my kitchen, but you can get the picture. We are going to put valances on them for some color.

Miracle on the Hudson

I don't know about anyone else, but I find this story truly heartwarming and uplifting. In a world that seems so filled with bad news, bad times and bad people it is wonderful to know that we still have people that will step up to the plate, do what is neccesary and save the day. Everyone from the pilot Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, co-pilot Jeff Skiles, the police, emergency workers and the people that just happened to be there are heroes. I was amazed watching the news last night and reading the story today. I am not surprised to learn the pilot is former military. This is just how they do things.

I hope other people find this miracle a bit of a boost in their lives and hopefully can take a minute or two to feel good about things. Thanks everyone involved for making my day, week, month...

Wedding Bells and The Perfect Dress

I will be the Maid of Honor in my friend N's wedding on January 31st. This is her second marriage. She was married as a very young woman, divorced and then was in a long term relationship that went completely sour so I am glad that she has found the happiness that she deserves. The wedding is semi-formal but low-key with mainly family and close friends.

I have to admit at first I felt a little strange, I mean, afterall I have not been in a wedding since I was in my twenties. What they heck would a 50 year old bridesmaid look like? There is no way I am dressing up in puffy sleeves, big bows or worse yet something too revealing. I am an original California girl turned Arizonian so years of sun exposure have taken it's toll on my skin. Since I found out last summer I knew I at least had time to fine the Perfect Dress.

I started out online at David's Bridal and quickly added all kinds of internet bridal shops in my favorites. I knew right away that the traditional bridesmaid dresses were not going to work for me. I like to see a well-dressed woman but not one my age wearing a twenty-something outfit. One the other hand I am not quite ready for the polyester pants either. I looked at the mother of the bride dresses and they screamed mother of the bride!!! Just could not go there either.

So after months of searching I received a catalog from Coldwater Creek and after flipping through it I found it! The Perfect Dress. One problem though, it was more than I wanted to spend. I knew I probably would not wear it again but I really wanted it. So I still had some time and decided to think about and maybe talk myself into it. Well I am on Coldwater Creek's mailing list and I started receiving emails. First one 20% off. hmm. Good. Think some more. Second one 30% off. Oooh better. Still thinking though. Third one. 40% off. Ok do I hear 50%!!! Alas, the Stars are aligned! The birds are singing and flowers blooming. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! Fourth email, 50% off baby. Ok, no more thinking or talking to myself. I'm on it. The card is out and the dress was ordered. The picture is below. I love the front because it covers and the back gives just a hint of sexy. I could wear it somewhere else and not look like a bridemaid. Now I need to find a wrap and maybe blue shoes. I am not sure about the shoes, I might just wear black since I already have them. We'll see.

Oh by the way, guess what I got a few days later. 60% off email. Damn. Oh well, the dress had been shipped so I thanked the stars, birds, flowers & Santa and hit delete.

And Baby Makes 3

Well, it looks like I am going to be a grandmother for the third time. Hippie Guy and Flower Child recently announced they are expecting. Not sure of a due date but it is looking like August or September. They probably should have waited a bit to tell people but they are so very excited. I guess I have to come up with a blogging name for the new addition. For now I will call him/her Baby 3. They have decided to wait until Baby 3's birth to find out the sex. I like that idea. I have a feeling but will keep that to myself for awhile.

So far Flower Child is doing well with just a little morning sickness in the evenings. Hippie Guy who is my baby still finds it hard to believe but is pretty excited. LCpl Honda who is the oldest and still childless is wondering how this happened. Find a woman my dear!

I have been absent for awhile because I was stuck battling the garage dragon. Oh where did all this stuff come from? Actually I know the answer to that one. My man I married should have probably been born a woman. He was raised by women and does not understand that women decorate. Men fix things and usually don't care what color the kitchen is. At least I got everything semi-organized. I think I now know where most things are. I had been searching for my small crockpot every since we moved in and still did not find it until I went to fix dinner last night and lo and behold, there it was in my lazy susan cupboard where apparently I had put it! Sometimes I scare myself.

I know I am a little late with the Christmas pictures but better late than never.

Butterfly, the next Hannah Montana

Lolly Pop Kid & Tango opening the Cookie Monster Legos

Hippie Guy & Flower Child opening the 60's & 70's album collection from me and Corvette
(they were born a generation or so too late)

These paintings were done by Grandma M and given to me when Cinderella and LCpl Honda were small. I originally thought it was them, but I know now that they are Butterfly and Lolly Pop kid. Eventually I will explain why my first grandchild is called Butterfly here. As you can see there are butterflies in each painting.

Corvette & LCpl Honda opening medals and info on Corvette's dad who served in World War II and who is no longer with us. RIP Corvette Sr.

When all is done, play with a box.

Hey guys I just want to come outside!

Chocolates galore!

Cpl Red. Miss you but still thinking about you!
(Too many dinner rolls left over when you are not here)

Merry Christmas Buddy!

Merry Christmas Angelina!

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!