Congratulations J!

Congratulations on your new job J!!!

Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween folks!

Are you dressing up? Passing out candy?

I'm heading out with my nephews.

B, as Buzz Lightyear. C, as a duck.

I can't wait!

So wrong

H and I went to a Halloween party this past Saturday. She dressed as a baby on an old woman's back. (Hilarious.) I, compliments of a co-worker who randomly had a costume in her car the night before, dressed as a St. Pauli's girl. (Slightly risqué, but it was free so I figured it would be ok for just one night...)

Anyway, while at this party, I was introduced to a woman who was deck out in Renaissance apparel. About halfway into our conversation it dawned on me that she had a bump under her garment and appeared to be quite pregnant. Now, with a Mike's Hard Lemonade in her hand, I assessed the situation and thought, "hmmm... well maybe she's dressed up as a pregnant Renaissance woman." Not so much. About two minutes later she was talking about giving birth soon to her second child. All the while, drinking hard liquor.

I felt so awkward. I excused myself from the conversation claiming I had to use the restroom.

Now, I've always been a supporter of pregnant woman being able to have a glass or two of wine while pregnant. After actually seeing a six-month's along woman downing Mike's, though, I may definitely think twice about supporting it in the future. It was just so wrong on so many levels.

Sophisticated criminals

I recently heard a friend say that there has been a string of robberies (perhaps around 100 or so) up north where she frequents her cottage.

The most interesting fact about this story? Apparently the burglars are only on the hunt for antiques. And, they're actually leaving a bit of cash behind to compensate for the antiques they're taking!

Have you ever heard of such a thing? "Antique Road Show" will never be the same to me.

Connections

Who are we kidding? We know that connections are everything in the real world. That's why I'm asking my loyal blog readers to think about what connections they might have for two of my good friends and co-workers who are currently looking for employment.

One is located in Southeast Michigan. One is located in Northwest Ohio. Both were event coordinators but are very capable and open to many possibilities.

Let me know if you know of anything or anyone... Thanks!

TV "Journalists"

My husband HATES Matt Lauer. Every morning I hear him comment on how unprofessional and ridiculous he thinks Matt Lauer is. Personally, he really doesn't annoy me all that much.

I understand not appreciating TV "journalists" though. Often times, it seems they're more concerned with creating excitement or drama than in actually relaying news stories.

Back in the day, I used to really like Katie Couric. Somewhere around 2002, though, my like turned into dislike. And don't even get me started on Ann Curry's dramatic "Good morning. Good morning" thing she does every day.

Do you have a favorite or least favorite newscaster?

Bizarro World

I have a whole new appreciation for "The Bizarro Jerry" episode of Seinfeld.

Awesome.

Congratulations are in order...

- For M and M, who recently tied the knot!

- For H, who recently got promoted!

- For A, who recently got promoted!



I'm so excited for you all!!!

A glimpse into the future

I went to the urologist today (for reasons I'll choose to keep semi-confidential...).

As I walked in, I was struck by the fact that every one of the 10-15 other patients in the waiting room were at least 40+ years my senior.

I then waited in my room (which was situated right across from the bathroom patients use to give urine samples) for close to 40 minutes. The door was cracked open, so I could hear all the commotion outside and see all the little old men and women patients walk to and fro.

My favorite conversation? A nurse yelling to the old man inside that it was ok if he couldn't "go." Trouble was, he was a little hard of hearing as well and couldn't hear the nurse outside the door. (The nurses didn't know what to do. Poor guy. I think he was in there for like 15 minutes!)

It was indeed quite an experience. Certainly one that makes you thankful that old mother nature often takes her sweet time.

Could you do it?

Could you NOT complain for 21 days straight?

Some pastor in Kansas City started making purple bracelets for folks willing to face the challenge. Read the full story here.

Honestly, I think this would be quite a difficult feat. Definitely would make one aware of how much they actually complain...

I think I'll make a conscious effort to try this (sans the bracelet).

Lack of blogging

Hey there folks. Between work and school, I'm feeling a little behind the eight ball lately. Sadly, until (or if) I start seeing the lovely, dull gray plastic countertop of my desk, blogging will be at a minimum.

Absolute Heaven

I highly recommend Starbucks' hot caramel apple cider.

I'm addicted.

Happy Birthday R!

Happy 27th B-Day R!

Hope you have a spectacular day today!

Can't wait to meet your new man!

Do you believe...

... In ghosts and spirits?

Has anything ever happened to make you believe?

Gibsonburg closes due to illness

My good friend, C, works in this district and was one of the teachers who got sick. Crazy.

GIBSONBURG, Ohio - All activities in the Gibsonburg School District were canceled Wednesday and Thursday. The superintendent also closed school.

He says us nearly two dozen of his teachers and staff called in sick Wednesday. Superintendent Tom Pieffer says the majority of the 22 teachers and support staff work at the elementary school. That's why that school was closed this morning, and why the Sandusky county health department is trying to figure out what they have and where it came from.

Officials originally thought the teachers might have the flu, but have since ruled that out. They're looking into other viruses and even food poisoning. Samples from the teachers have gone to the state health department for analysis. Results are expected sometime next week. Superintendent Peiffer said wednesday, "No one was here today at Hilficker Elementary. There weren't enough teachers to have school."

Students, like Brandon Wilson, were pretty happy. However, parents had a different reaction. Parent Lisa Farris said, "It caught us off guard. We were surprised."

So was the superintendent of schools Wednesday morning when teachers began calling in sick. Peiffer said, "It started out early. We had a couple people call in sick early. Then it kept snowballing and snowballing."

He doesn't know what's going on, but he guesses it may have started in the boardroom right next to his office. That's where the teachers attended an in-service while the kids were out on Columbus Day.

ANTM - My picks

A brief breakdown:

Mila - Gone. I remember thinking she looked like a 43-year-old L.A. woman who has had WAY too much plastic surgery.

Kimberly - Gone. Tyra thought she was too "hoochie."

Lisa - Awesome bone structure. Photographs really well. She'll go pretty far.

Ambreal - I really don't remember her too much. Doesn't bode well for lasting in this competition.

Heather - Takes beautiful photographs. The only thing making things difficult for her is her Autism. She'll go far.

Chantal - Too cocky. Lacks skills. Won't last too much longer.

Bianca - She looks gorgeous with almost no hair. Needs to embrace that and show less attitude. She could go a ways.

Victoria - Gone. Good riddens. It's amazing to me how many super-intelligent people lack social skills.

Ebony - Very pretty. Not very high on the judges list at the moment due to her personality. If she does what the judges want, she should go far.

Saleisha - Cute new cut but she'll have to take things up a notch to last. She was in the bottom two last week.

Jenah - Slightly odd yet incredibly beautiful in photos. I'm not sure I'm digging the new 'do, but the judges seem to like it.

Sarah - The "plus" size gal. Doesn't leave a strong impression. Very pretty though.

Janet - Very cute. I'm not sure she's a model though.

My top picks:
Jenah
Lisa
Heather

P.S. I just found out the other day that my great friend, Miss Benz, actually tried out for this season of ANTM. And, she got called back!!! Too bad law school interfered and she was unable to go to the call back. She TOTALLY would have cleaned house!

P.S.S. I still CAN'T STAND Jaslene's voice!!!

Funky Llama merlot

A and I are making a point to try a variety of new wines. We had a couple merlots that were made in South Africa recently. Neither were worth mentioning.

After not having much success in Africa, we thought we'd try something a little different. Enter Funky Llama, an Argentinian merlot.

Our review? Good. Not too dry. Probably about a "7" on a scale of 1-10. Add price into account and perhaps it'd rate an "8." (FYI... not being a connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination, my "ranking" system goes from not drinkable to drinkable to very pleasant. I have no idea how to talk about flavor.)

Any recommendations?

Title update

I called the Title place in Ohio yesterday.

The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hi. We recently moved and can't seem to locate our titles for our vehicles. Can you tell me what I need to do to get new titles sent to us?"
"Friendly" service rep: "Well, what's your name?"
(I told her my name.)
"Friendly" service rep: "Ugh. It's going to take a while.
(Silence. Silence. Silence.)
"Friendly" service rep: "There are too many records to go through."
(Silence.)
Me: "Ok. Soooo, what can we do?"
"Friendly" service rep: "I can find one of the two records. You don't have a title because you're going through a bank, making payments. They took your title."
(Silence.)
Me: "Ok.... Well, before I hang up can I just clarify something with you?"
"Friendly" service rep: "Fine."
Me: "If I were to go to the DMV in our new state without the title, everything would be fine?"
"Friendly" service rep: "No."
Me: "Ok. So what do I need to do?"
"Friendly" service rep: "You need to fill out an application for a new title and send it back to us."
Me: "Ok.... So how would one get this application to fill out?"
"Friendly" service rep: "We'll send it to you."
Me: "Ok... Did you need my address then?"
"Friendly" service rep: "Yeah."
(I proceeded to give my address and then the conversation ended.)

I actually found myself laughing in disbelief at the extent of her unfriendliness.

Some people just shouldn't be working with people.

Crazy Lisa is Back

It's CRAZY Lisa!

Remember... She's the one who peed in a diaper on ANTM...

(I'm so proud I know that...)

I think my favorite part of this song is "Standin' here, with no fear."

Man, she's so talented, isn't she?

Backyard Bavaria

Frankenmuth is one of my all-time favorite places to visit in the Mitten State.

I had the opportunity to go this weekend with my sis, cousin and grandma.

It was just like I remembered.

So why visit?

- A town entirely devoted to German heritage
- The garb (Can you say lederhosen?!)
- Chicken, chicken, chicken
- Noodles
- Shops and boutiques
- Family
- Pastries
- Horse and carriages
- Great shopping (Birch Run is at the same exit)

The better question I suppose is... Why not visit?!

Online dating

Has anyone seen the commercial currently running about how some online dating services reject some folks that try to sign up?

Does anyone know if this really happens? Heard information to the contrary?

I'm not sure why I'm interested. I guess I just find it an interesting advertising strategy for the competing service(s) - and a bit unfortunate for those looking for love.

Times are a changin'

Remember these gems?

I hadn't thought about them until I saw them for sale in a candy store over the weekend.

They were seriously my favorite Halloween treat back in the day. Now, I can't imagine people passing them out to our impressionable youth.

So, the question of the day is "Would you allow your children to eat/play with candy cigarettes?

I had a premonition...

... that I wouldn't enjoy the movie "Premonition."

It's official. I'm psychic.

It's one of the few movies I have disliked in such a strong manner.

I remained quite angry, and somewhat confused, until the wee hours of the morning.

Have you seen this movie? Agree?

Did you know...

That coin collectors are numismatists?

That postcard collectors are deltiologists?
That stamp collectors are philatelists?

Know of any others?

(Thanks F...)

Speaking of meat...

How is it possible for Boston Market to run out of chicken?

Isn't that, like, their whole bag?

(I was quite upset about this. I heart Boston Market.)

A piece of meat

Ever walk in a place and feel like you were a savory, plump piece of meat just waiting to be pounced upon by a bunch of ravenous carnivores?

I felt like that today visiting a local D-town print shop.

"As God is my witness," I will never wear a skirt on a vendor visit again. Period.

(P.S. I'm quite positive that this had nothing to do with me personally but instead had everything to do with the fact that I was a young, strange woman.)

I've lost interest

Am I the only one who has COMPLETELY lost interest in all things Britney.

I'm officially over it. I don't want to hear any more.

She needs help and I feel sad for her children.

I hope things get better for her someday.

The end.

Making things even easier

A and I were watching TV the other night and saw a commercial for the new and improved Monopoly game.

It now has an electronic banking system that calculates everything for the players.

It may make the game go by slightly faster, but, in my opinion, this is yet another instance of dumbing down America's youth.

Such a shame.

Ever feel like this?

I will not complain.

I will not complain.

I will not complain...

* I love what I do. There just seems to be quite a bit of it!