Meet my husband

Hehehe. A was super excited to get Simpsonized.

Congratulations J!

Congratulations to my good friend, J! She was just offered the psychiatric pharmacotherapy position at U of M today!

Man. Do I have some smart friends or what?!

I've been Simpsonized too (Thanks A!)

How fun.

Simpsonize yourself here.

Paris loses inheritance

Awe. Some.

News.com - PARTY princess Paris Hilton is $60 million out of pocket after her billionaire grandfather - appalled by her jail term for drink-driving offences - axed her inheritance.

Family patriarch Barron Hilton was already embarrassed by his granddaughter's wild behaviour - notably when her home sex video was leaked on the internet. But the 79-year-old considered her 23-day sentence last month the last straw.

"He was, and is, extremely embarrassed by how the Hilton name has been sullied by Paris," says Jerry Oppenheimer, who wrote a biography of the clan called House Of Hilton. "He now doesn't want to leave unearned wealth to his family."

Hilton senior, the only member of the family left with a sizeable stake in the huge hotel chain, has let it be known that he intends to donate to charity the $2.4bn he will gain from this month's sale of the company to private equity firm Blackstone. The money will go to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the charity set up in the name of the founder of the family business.

All caught up!

I finished "Half Blood Prince" on Friday. Now, I'm on to "Deathly Hallows!"

I've never been more excited to read a book in my life!

Happy Birthday Mom and Aunt J!

Can't wait to celebrate with you tonight Mom!

Wish I could see you and Uncle J too, Aunt J!

Happy Happy Birthday!

Blogging Break

Blogging will be at a minimum this weekend.

Volleygrass is taking precedence.

I just read that there are 240 teams signed up this year -

another 30-40 were turned away due to lack of space.

I'm totally pumped.

Gooooooooo PC!

Just because

Hehehe.

Late on the Bandwagon

My brother introduced me to Harry Potter, via movies, after it was already a huge hit. Since then, I've been periodically reading the books and watching the movies.

A few weeks ago, I saw the fifth movie. This week, I've been trying to speed-read through the sixth book in an attempt to make it to the seventh before hearing how it ends. I should be done before the weekend. Then, on to the next.

I'm paranoid. Can't. Read. Fast. Enough.

Public Service Announcement

I'm not sure if you're aware fellow Southeastern Michiganders, but "Saved By the Bell" is now on in the mornings back to back at 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

While getting ready today, A and I listened to the episode about the Heart Dance and subliminal messages. I swear, that show never gets old.

Signed up

A and I are now proud members of the Blockbuster Total Access program. Between Net Flix and Blockbuster, we liked the fact that, with Blockbuster, you can also return the movie to your local store (and get a free rental!).

We're very excited. We received our first movie in the mail yesterday.

Now we just have to remember to watch it!

Jimmy A live!

Listen up all you Southeastern Michigan folks!

Jimmy A (my old college friend) will be playing a live gig in HT on Thursday, August 23 for a great cause - Breast Cancer Awareness.

Stop down and see him from 6-10 p.m. at the Barge on Lake St. Clair.

Contact me for more details!

Don't you wish you had a pair?

Good luck today M!

I'll be thinking about you!

Hello, my name is...

One of my good friends once told me how difficult it was finding friends in a new city. That I was very fortunate to have stumbled onto the volleyball court and found such a warm, welcoming, fun group of individuals at our abode in T-Town. (I was. And I am forever grateful that they welcomed us with open arms.)

Now we're in another new city. Starting from square one. Knowing no one. Not sure how to go about meeting new people. (No volleyball court this time around...) I'm definitely realizing how difficult it is to meet people again.

Have you ever been in this situation? What did you do? How'd you meet people?

A New Favorite - The ABC Family Channel

After a slight debacle during the first attempt, a new cable man (obviously much more intelligent than the last) was able to outfit us with cable this weekend.

I've been watching the ABC Family Channel all night. (Well, that and VH1's "The Top 100 Teen Stars"...) A little embarrassing? Yes. But where else can you find cult classics like "Maid to Order" and "Robinhood Men In Tights?"

Who knew this channel was so awesome?

Happy Birthday T!

Happy Happy Birthday T!

Have an awesome time in Putton Bay this weekend!

Hope this year is your best yet!

Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act

Passing on a forward...
Insurance companies are trying to make
mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important .. Please take the time and do it really quick!

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require Insurance Companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.


Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on. Sign the petition by clicking on http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php. It takes two seconds!

20 dates for under $20

If you're anything like me, you'll appreciate the below list (compliments of yahoo.com)...

1. Find the best happy hour in town. Look through your newspaper or search online for local restaurants and bars with happy hours. Most places offer half-price food and drink specials, allowing you to get two drinks and share an appetizer for less than $20.
2. Go to a museum. Most museums either have free admission or offer free entry on certain days of the month.
3. Visit your local zoo. Most zoos offer adult tickets for less than $10. Pack your own snacks and bottled water and have a mini picnic while you're there.
4. Go on a romantic hike. Bring a backpack and surprise your partner with a bottle of champagne, glasses and fresh strawberries.
5. Go swimming at your local pool, lake or beach. Bring some water toys and have more fun than the kids.
6. Beat the heat with an ice cream date. Take two scoops to the park, or take a walk downtown and go people watching.
7. Hit the dollar movie theater. Lots of cities have discount movie theaters showing second-run features. Pick a rainy day and have a movie marathon.
8. Take a downtown walking tour. Discover things and places you never knew existed. While you're there, pick up a free visitors guide for more date ideas.
9. Plan a cheap picnic. Go on a picnic at the beach, mountains or in your own backyard. Grab a blanket, pack a deli sandwich and a bottle of $5 wine.
10. Take a blanket to the beach. Split your budget between a bottle of wine and cheese, then enjoy the sunset while you snuggle on a blanket.
11. Stroll through the botanical gardens. Spend the day
walking hand in hand through rose gardens and tropical rainforests
walking hand in hand through rose gardens and tropical rainforests, for less than $10 a ticket.
12. Be a kid again. Go bowling, play miniature golf, ride go-carts or play laser tag.
13. Build a bonfire. All you need is some firewood, snacks and a drink of your choice. This is also a great opportunity to make 'smores.
14. Rent something. Go roller- or ice-skating, rent a two-seater bike and pedal through the park, or paddle a boat on a pond.
15. Paint pottery together. Lots of studios let you get creative for around $6 an hour.
16. Pitch a tent. Park fees are usually less than $10, which leaves money for food and firewood. Go camping and roast hot dogs as you gaze at the stars.
17. Go wine tasting. Most wineries charge around $5 for a tasting of five different wines -- plus,
you'll get to keep the glass as a souvenir of your date
you'll get to keep the glass as a souvenir of your date.
18. Take a scenic drive. Pull over to have coffee and dessert at a nice cafe.
19. Explore local galleries and artists. Many cities have art walks one night a month during the summer, with the bonus of a free glass of wine.
20. Rack 'em up at your local pool joint. With pool games costing less than $2, you might even have money left over to share a pitcher of beer.

Psychic powers

On the way to work today, I was listening to my morning show as usual when I heard there was going to be a psychic on in the upcoming segment. I was immediately pumped. (Ever since I visited the old, psychic, creole lady in a whole of a place down in New Orleans, I've believed in psychic ability - not mine, others'.)

Anyway, this gentleman psychic came on and proceeded to take calls. (I can't remember his name right this moment...) Unfortunately, I would liken the next ten minutes to not being able to take your eyes off of a car wreck. Caller after caller, he was unable to give them anything. Nothing. Notta.

It was truly quite painful. Everything he tried to say was already true or was going to happen, the callers would object to or discredit. I felt really embarrassed for him. At the same time, I realized I should just pack it up at work and become a psychic of sorts. If this guy's making a living doing this, why can't I?!

* Quick question. If you're really a psychic, wouldn't you be able to see that you're going to bomb on the radio and avoid that appearance?

New role

Since I tend to often vent about my troubles on this blog, I thought that my readers might be interested in a piece of good news...

Earlier this week, the Director of Communications resigned from the Law School. To my excitement, the Dean has asked me to take over the responsibilities.

I will now be responsible for communications, publicity and marketing. Very, very cool:)

We want movies!

A and I are thinking about getting a membership to Net Flix or Blockbuster so that we can have movies delivered right to our door.

Has anyone had good/bad experience with either Net Flix or Blockbuster?

Anything's possible

My sister and bro-in-law, M, decided they would put their house on the market late last week. They just revamped both the kitchen and bathroom (which both turned out absolutely beautiful), but figured that they'd put the house up for sale now in hopes of moving out in about a year or so.

Well, they just accepted an offer last night. Less than one week on the market. No realtor. Unbelievable!

Congratulations B and M!

* Had A and I not sold our home last week, I'm pretty sure this news would have selfishly upset me just a bit... Good thing we signed on Friday!

Another guilty pleasure

I'm not down with Fergalicious or Glamourous, but I can't seem to get enough of "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. Is it just me?

Welcome to blogging R!

Welcome to the blogging world, R!

For all those interested in checking out her blog, Flower Girl's Random Thoughts, click here.

Can't wait to read it R!!! (Herald love forever!)

Frozen Fruit Cups = A Little Taste of Heaven

3/4 cup sugar
2 and a half cups water

Boil

Add:
1 6 ounce can of frozen orange juice
1 6 ounce can of frozen lemonade
1 package frozen strawberries
1 can crushed pineapple
5 bananas (diced)

Freeze until mushy and put into individual cups and freeze. Cover each with aluminum foil.

(Other fruits can be used or added but bananas should not be omitted.)

Freeze 1-2 hours before eating and enjoy!

* This recipe compliments of my mother-in-law.

We're in!

Well, we've officially moved into our new place in HT.

Thank you so much to all those who helped us moved or supported us the last several months.

Moving on...!

See you on the flip side

Blogging will be at a bare minimum for the next few days due to our impending move. (We're not scheduled to be online at our new home until Wednesday of next week.)

So, until then my friends.

Are we there yet?

I've always thought of myself as someone who was good at handling stress. Prided myself on it really. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

Now, we finally find ourselves moving on - something we've been waiting to do for a long time. But between the planning, packing and financial loss associated with the move, and work, fear of losing my job due to budget cuts, fear of not being able to pay for schooling due to losing my job to budget cuts, I seem to be genuinely losing it.

Take for instance this evening when I broke out in tears at least three times. Once before "Harry Potter" started as I realized the 10-year-old girls in the row beside me would be able to tell their friends that they got to see a special sneak preview of the movie. (Huh?!) A few times during the movie. Once after the movie on the car ride "home" after I got thinking about how much I loved my husband for always comforting me and making me feel so loved.

Yes sir. I am an absolute wreck. An emotional wreck. My highs are high. My lows low. I'm angry one minute. Sad the next. Crying from happiness after that.

With all that in mind, I'd like take this opportunity to apologize to all my dear friends and family for the many (unnecessary) mood swings you may have been privy to as of late. Turns out, I have been deeply humbled and overcome by this juncture in our lives. I thank you for being there and for helping us through.

Almost there...

Great song

Recently heard this song again after about a year (thanks A). I still love it and thought I'd share. It's by Dropkick Murphy's.

A bit obsessed

Ever since visiting Alcatraz on our last trip to San Fran, A and I are a little obsessed. This weekend alone, we watched "Escape from Alcatraz" and "Return to Alcatraz."

There's just something about The Rock that's so eery and intriguing. The famous mobsters. The escape attempts. The stories ex-cons tell. Just fascinating.

Am I alone?

OK. I'm still not sure what's going on in this picture, but, am I the only one out there (in say, the 25 and up category) who thinks Harry Potter is now pretty darn hot?

I'm a bit weirded out by this. At the same time, I can't wait to go see a sneak preview of the movie tomorrow (compliments of a rep at A's work).

No place like home

We went up to the new place yesterday to finalize some details and check out our apartment one last time. Turns out, I'm so glad we did. They had put us in an apartment with a HORRIBLE view. (Think big electrical box, tacky white picket fence and a stone throw away from the neighboring apartment that looks right into our master bedroom from their little porch.)

We ended up changing apartments for, what seems like, the seventh time. I'm so excited for all this to be over.

On a semi-related note, the apartment manager couldn't seem to take her eyes off of my (overflowing, voluptuous, etc.) chest. At first, I thought I was overanalyzing the situation, but once back in the safety of our car, A brought it up. Perhaps that's why she upgraded us with no extra cost?

Advice anyone?

Has anyone had any good/bad luck with any moving/rental companies?

Satisfying summer treat

Homemade ice cream is truly wonderful.

Thank you G!

(As are frozen fruit cups, B... I just couldn't find a picture of those online!)

Packin' up shop

Closing date: Friday, July 13, 2007

First day on market: December 18, 2006

Total days on market: 208

Total number of unique showings: 61

(I'll be nervous until I sign the very last document.)

Two Thumbs Up

A and I went to see "License to Wed" this afternoon.

Two words. John. Krasinski. So incredibly adorable and funny.

And, for my hubby? Mandy. Moore. His all-time fav.

The whole movie was funny. But, the scene at Macy's had us both - along with everyone else in the theater - laughing hysterically.

We both enjoyed this movie tremendously. Two thumbs way up.

Where can I buy the seeds?

I'm an adult.

I have a good job.

I have a decent salary.

So, how come I freak out about money every other day lately?

I really wish money trees existed.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Thank goodness for this blog. I think it's the first time today

that I've actually thought of the meaning of this day.

Sad. But, true.

I feel very fortunate and blessed to live the life I live.

Thank you to the many men and women who fought to make it so.

Interesting Pregnancy Myths

Saw these on Yahoo and thought there were somewhat interesting.

* Please note that I'm not sneakily trying to tell my loyal blog readers that there is a bun in my oven. My oven is currently set to off.

1. The worse your morning sickness, the more likely you are to have a girl. (Dr. Shmerling does point out, however, that several studies have shown that women who are hospitalized for morning sickness are slightly more likely to deliver a girl.)

2. If you raise your arms above your head while pregnant (as when hanging up clothes on a clothesline), the baby will get the cord wrapped around its neck.

3. If you get a lot of heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will have a thick head of hair.

4. Avoid sleeping on your back; or, always sleep on your left side.

5. To keep your unborn child safe, avoid sex and exercise during pregnancy. 6. You should not touch a cat while pregnant. Women are indeed advised not to handle their cat's litter while pregnant because a cat's stool may carry a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis, a serious infection in the mother and a possible cause of deformities in the fetus. However, other activities, such as petting your cat or allowing it to sit on your lap, are not prohibited. If you want complete peace of mind about this, you can have your cat tested for toxoplasmosis.

7. If you are pregnant, you cannot have x-rays and should avoid microwaves and computer terminals. Excessive or needless radiation should always be avoided, pregnant or not, but you should follow your doctor's recommendations for x-rays that are necessary. Modern microwave ovens and computer terminals do not expose the fetus to harmful radiation.

8. Don't take a bath if you are pregnant.

9. If the weather is stormy or the moon is full, you are more likely to go into labor, even if you are weeks away from your due date.

10. Avoid spicy foods — they can trigger labor before you are ready.

11. Avoid bumpy car rides — they can trigger labor; or, labor can be triggered by being bumped in the abdomen or by lifting groceries.

12. You can determine your baby's gender by the position of sexual intercourse when the baby was conceived, and by how your baby is situated in the womb.

I'm addicted

I can't eat enough raisins lately.

What a wonderful fruit.