MERRY CHRIXMATS!!!

To all of you celebrating I hope your Christmas is cheery!!!

Me - what am I doing? Well, today I will be completing preparations for the family coming over later. We, as I have mentioned before, are having Lasagna (I made 2 different ones last night - one with just ground beef and another with ground beef and Italian sausage), salad and garlic bread. For dessert, I am serving Super Duper Chocolate Bread Pudding. I will make that in a little while. I have about 2 errands to run and then a bit of straightening up. Most of the house is already clean but with 3 dogs, the house can always use another vacuuming.

Anyway, I hope you all have a great and safe Christmas!!!

5 Months Later...The Bookshelf Is Complete

As you may recall, I began refinishing the bookshelf that had been in the Florida room in July. Well, tonight, with the help of my loving husband, I have finally completed it. It only took 5 months and, I must say, it is beautiful. I'm so proud. Sometimes, you have to do something to see if you can actually do it. Take a look (before and afters).

Funny

Maybe I'm easily amused early in the morning but this made me laugh out loud. (really, I think I laughed because of the shape of the old man's butt and the fact that just a little crack is peeking out.)

Delicious

Seriously not tooting my own horn but dinner was delicious tonight. Try it out.

Fettuccine with Chicken and Mushroom Sauce

13 oz. fettuccine
2 lg. chicken breasts
1 T. olive oil
1 oz. butter
2 slices cooked bacon chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
8 oz. button mushrooms
1/3 c. white wine
4 spring onions chopped
1 T. flour
2 T. water
1/3 c. grated parmesan
2/3 c. cream

Cook fettuccine in large pan. Drain.
Trim chicken, cut into strips. Heat oil in frying pan, add chicken and cook over medium heat 3 minutes or until browned. Add bacon, garlic, mushrooms and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally
Add wine and cook until liquid reduced by half. Add cream and onion – boil; Blend flour with water until smooth – add to pan – stir until boiling and thickens. Reduce heat simmer 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add sauce to pasta and stir over low heat until combined. Sprinkle with parmesan.

My Sweet Christmas Dogs!

Pictures of the week (my three sweeties - Zeke is very shy. Bubba, is not.)















The first snow of the year (without a flash and with)

Recipes for Diane

I've been promising to give Diane some recipes and keep forgetting. Today, I've been transferring recipes from my magazines and index cards onto my computer and thought what better time to "remember" my friend so here you go Diane. Let me know if there were others.

Bowtie Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli

¼ c. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ lb. chicken breasts, cubed
1 ½ c. small broccoli florets
¾ c. sun dried tomatoes
1 t. dried basil leaves
1 lg. pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ c. dry white wine
¾ c. chicken broth
1 T. butter
½ lb. bowtie pasta
Grated Parmesan

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté the garlic about 1 minute. Stir constantly
Add the chicken and sauté until white and almost completely cooked. Add broccoli and sauté until crisply tender. Add sun dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, wine, broth and cook until sun dried tomatoes are tender.
Toss with pasta and top with parmesan.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

4 oz. linguini
2 boneless chicken breasts cut in strips
2 t. Cajun seasoning
2 T. butter
½ chopped green & red pepper
4 sliced mushrooms
1 sliced green onion
1-2 c. heavy whipping cream
¼ t. salt, dried basil, lemon pepper
1/8 t. garlic powder, pepper
Parmesan

In a large pot, boil salted water; cook pasta and drain
Place chicken and Cajun seasonings in bowl – toss
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté chicken in butter until chicken is opaque (5-7 minutes). Add green and red pepper, mushrooms, onions and cook 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat, add heavy cream, basil, lemon pepper, salt, garlic, pepper – heat through.
In a large bowl toss pasta with sauce. Sprinkle with gated parmesan.

If I Had Nuts, I Would Be Freezing Them Off!

Youza, it's freaking cold! The heat in my house has not shut off in days and with that and my X-mas lights, I dread seeing my electric bill. Oh, well. (Sorry about the picture but when I went to search "nuts" this was the first picture and I couldnt' resist - plus, it's been a while since I've been inappropriate - on my blog - and it was time. Do you think those are real?)

I have a plea for my friend Diane and it is this: Please update your blog. It makes me sad when I see you everyday and then go to read an update on your life and there is nothing there. I know you have lots to say because, well, you get to spend your days with me. You could talk a book about that! I kid of course but if you don't update your blog soon, I might have to sick "Dolly" on you.

Plans for the day: grocery shopping, must venture to Costco (dread those holiday shoppers), nap (in preparation for Terri's annual X-mas party) and then PARTY!!! (I will not drink too much - unless I accidentally drink too much. Knowing Terri and her parties, I will probably end up drinking too much. Dang and I had such high convictions. Instead, I will drink plenty of water throughout the day, take some advil before the party and before I go to bed and then, hopefully, I will avoid a hangover. Good plan!)

My errand running today will be done with Jim and it's always interesting to go grocery shopping with him. He tries to help but I would prefer if he would just keep his hands in his pockets and as my mother would say, "Don't touch anything!" Poor Jim! (Anyone who knows us knows that this is our mantra). Ah well, he's the moron that married me!

Later

Christmas Lights

Jim and I decorated the house this past weekend and Jim did a fabulous job on the outside lights. I told him not to do colored and even though he didn't listen to me, what he ended up doing is very tasteful. Here are a few photos that do not do our decorations justice and are kind of hard to see. Oh well, you get the idea.

Christmas Eve Menu

So this year, I am going to have the family over for X-mas Eve. Yes, I am attmepting this again after my disatrous first attempt 3 years ago. For those who don't know the story, it was the first year in our new house and Jim and I were excited about entertaining. Maggie was providing the meal - a special pasta dish from a woman she knew. In the midst of the pasta dish cooking the 24 year old oven that was the original when the house was built, died. Kaput! Finito! Kablewie! So, we had to continue cooking the pasta in the microwave that had to be held shut since the dish was slightly too big for the micro.

Anyway, I am attempting to have the clan over again and the menu is as follows:

2 different lasagnas
Garlic Bread
A delicious salad
Bread Pudding (Jim thinks the picture looks like poo)

I originally had planned on a tiramisu but I do believe that the one I just made, cooling in the fridge is going to suck. So, I am going to make a Chocolate Bread Pudding from Paula Deen.

Update - the tiramisu sucked. Definately going with bread pudding.

Bengals Beat Ravens!!!

13-6!!!!

What an awesome game. And boy am I paying for it today. With parent/teacher conferneces and then staying up until 11 last night, I doubt I'll get much quality time at the bar tonight. Oh well, this is the price one must pay for being a loyal fan.

Can I get a WHO DEY!!!

Kristyn's Wedding Photos

Dad and I at the rehearsal!


This is from the huge hike that Becky, Anne, Susan, Cullen and I took the Saturday of the wedding. Notice the distance to the river? That is where we started and right in front of Susan and I on the left is a shear drop down a rocky cliff. Not good considering the amount of alcohol I consumed the night before and the fact that I think, I was still a little drunk. The smile I have on my face in the right picture is pure terror. Everytime Anne or Susan would miss their footing, my left arm would shoot out - as if I would catch them. Yeah right.


Though not everyone is looking at the right camera and I don't know what Anne is doing on the left, you can at least see the new bride and groom with the Arbaugh kids. Isn't Kristyn gorgeous? Her dress was awesome.

And last, me with my mom an dad (ignore my horrible double chin with my dad)

The Day After Thanksgiving

Well, yesterday's meal was stupendous. I literally ate as much as I could stuff in my mouth. Funny thing: Recall my last post? How I was responsible for bringing certain things? Well, of course I'm in the shower yesterday and realize that Becky wanted me to make my broccoli salad. (Had all the ingredients except I had to have Maggie and Charlie stop for a head of broccoli and cran-raisins on their way to pick us up.) Then, with all the crap I had to remember to bring (brownies, ham balls, crackers, beer, broccoli salad, dressing for broccoli salad), I forgot the succotash makings. Stupid, stupid, stupid (picture me, saying this while punching my forehead with my fist). Thank god, Becky had the makings and it all worked out.

So, the highlights: the mashed potatoes were the best my dad has ever made (he enjoys every part of making them and this year, he left the peels on while boiling and then only slightly peeled them. His key is - and there is nothing low-fat about them - cream cheese and heavy cream. Freaking delicious); the turkey was super with stuffing that was so flavorful. I swear, since I've been sick and recovered with fever, I think my tastebuds have been given new life. Anyway, we had three different desserts - Maggie's apple pie, my brownies and Anne's pumpkin cheesecake. I chose the apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and wasn't disappointed. Yum!

Afterward, Jim and I came home, watched Grey's Anatomy and then went to sleep. I was actually able to sleep until after 7 - gasp! - and felt well rested.

Right now, I am finishing this up and must then go up and get ready for a night on the town. We're going to show Charlie a good time in Cincinnati. Trip, Susan, Jim, Maggie, Charlie and I are all going to the Pub at Rookwood for some fried pickles and fish and chips. I can't wait. YUM!!! They are the best fried pickles out there.

All right, that's it. I'm also going to post a few photos from the wedding I attended in October that Becky just gave me.

Later!

Gobble Gobble!!!

My favorite holiday is here!!! Yeah!!!

I'm so happy today is here. I can't wait to go to my parents and hang out and eat and watch football and drink beer and wine and fall into a total Thanksgiving coma.

So what am I bringing? Each kid (that would be the four of us over 35) is assigned a dish and since it wouldn't be turkey day without it, I'm bringing succotash. It's simple (take a bag of frozen corn and a bag of frozen lima beans open each, dump them - simultaneously if you can - into a pot of boiling water and simmer until tender). I also made some Outrageous Brownies that are ridiculously sinful (recipe follows). The dang things have 1 pound, plus 12 ounces of chocolate chips as well as 6 ounces of unsweetened chocolate in them. Not to mention the pound of butter. Youza! Not on my diet. Maggie's also bringing an apple pie and Anne is making pumpkin cheesecake!!!

As well, I'm bringing some cream cheese ham balls with crackers since Dad and Becky don't always have "snack food" to keep us going while we hang and drink beer (except goldfish and stale chips - uh, no thanks). And of course, a 12-pack of beer. I mean, yes, dad has a whole refrigerator just for beer but I hate always drinking all his beer.

So, I hope everyone out there has a great day and I hope we all remember what we are thankful for (I won't bore you with my list).

Outrageous Brownies

1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, divided
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee powder
2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (1 cup for batter and 1/4 cup in the chips and nuts)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups diced walnut pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 13 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.
Melt together the butter, 1 pound chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate on top of a double boiler. Cool slightly. Stir together the eggs, instant coffee, vanilla and sugar. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cool to room temperature.

Stir together 1 cup of the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips with 1/4 cup flour to coat. Then add to the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tester just comes out clean. Halfway through the baking, rap the pan against the oven shelf to allow air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Do not over-bake! Cool thoroughly, refrigerate well and cut into squares.

(Holy Crap!!! One brownie = 1 mile on the treadmill)

My Coworkers Are Goofballs

Ok, let me ask you how many of you work with total goofballs? I must raise my hand in this.

My colleagues obviously have too much time on their hands because as I was slaving away today, helping a student study for her Algebra II quiz (a student, mind you that isn't even special ed) my goofball colleagues were "busy" writing me a letter (3 pages) using boardmaker - a special software program that assists students who need pictures to represent words just to understand anything. I found this letter zipped up in my lunchbox this afternoon after I had gotten home and have to admit, I laughed out loud. This was a laugh that was sorely needed after coming home to all my furniture either stacked upon other furniture or crowded into the front hallway (Jim cleaned the carpets). And, my sweet Drama Queen husband was laid up in bed with a headache and before I could even change out of my work clothes, I had to "right" everything. My sweet letter (telling me how gay I am by the way) from my sweet coworkers was just what I needed.

I must also say that I'm probably luckier than most to get to work with a group of people that I actually look forward to seeing every day (and in fact get bummed when I know they'll be absent). Thanks guys, I needed that.

TGIFF Part II

I am so sick of having a sore throat. As you know if you've been reading, I was sick a couple weeks ago. First the flu, then a sinus infection. I was put on antibiotics 11 days ago and finished the last pill yesterday and while my sinus infection seems to be gone, I have the same effing sore throat that I've had for 2 weeks. And it isn't a minor scratchiness. It is the worse sore throat I've ever had. During the night is when it is at its worse and every time I have to swallow, I think I wake up. Now, I always think it's ridiculous when someone says they're sick and you ask what's wrong and they answer "sore throat". How lame. So your throat is a little red and irritated. Big whoop you freaking baby. Well, I am now a baby. I wouldn't say I'm sick but this stupid thing just won't go away. Makes me think something else is wrong which of course I'm in denial about and won't go to the doctor to check out. What I don't know isn't there.
So here's a picture that cheers me up everyday and I hope makes you laugh on a Friday (although the fact that it is Friday should bring us all enough cheer - unless you have to work this weekend).
Later

New Shoes

Got some new shoes today. Shouldn't have but it's Jim's fault. He wanted to go to DSW and low and behold, they were having a major boot sale so of course, I had to get some cool new boots. Also found a cute pair of Steve Madden's on sale (just like the picture but they are slingbacks).

Health: Still way clogged but hopefully slowly recovering.

Dinner tonight was amazing: Rigatoni with steak sauce. Really delicious thanks to Giada (Food TV - probably spelled her name wrong).

Later

Old Thanksgiving Photo

Here's a nice (old) family Thanksgiving photo from several years back (I look so young).

Count Down To Thanksgiving Break Has Begun

I now have 7 school days until Thanksgiving break and I have to say that I am over-the-top excited for a number of reasons. #1) I love Thanksgiving. I love the day - hanging with the family at my parents, moving from room to room watching different TV programs (football), helping in the kitchen, EATING!!! which brings me to #2) I can't wait to eat all the delicious food - turkey, succotash, stuffing, mashed potatoes, dessert etc. #3) I need a break from my annoying colleagues - you know the ones that do stupid freaking crap (for the second week in a row) like take the folder that has the modified Biology tests in it with them to some undisclosed area of the school so that you have to chase them down while the kids sit there twidling their thumbs running out of time to take the test while a dozen other kids need your help to finish whatever homework was due that day. #4) I need more than a weekend off from kids, kids, kids. #5) Thanksgiving break begins the countdown for winter break (which sucks this year but whatever, it's more time off).

Sickness update: Today is day 5 of antibiotics and though my sinusitis seems to be getting better, I still have a pretty bad sore throat and my cough is worse today than yesterday. Its like I take two steps toward total recovery and then one step back. Is this my age showing? If it is, this is just one more reason why I don't want to live to a ripe old age.

Plans for the day: Costco, hanging, grocery shopping (haven't done that in two weeks - ugh).

Later

Sinusitis

So I've got Sinusitis apparently. After playing the illness game, I finally have a diagnosis. Last night was the worst night of my life. I was kept awake all night by a throbbing upper left jaw caused by infected sinuses. I still can't eat, or sleep. The only thing I can do is cry. Which makes it worse because of the pressure and then the stuffed nose. Anyway, I'm on antibiotics now and the doctor says they work pretty quickly. But before any of that, I have to still go to the dentist to get a cavity filled. The only good thing here is that the novacaine will numb that side of my jaw for a little while. I'm so effing sick of being sick!

Wine - Good

Gotta say: After 5 days having had no alcohol, wine certainly tastes good. (I spelled that surtainly the first time). As drugged up as I am (no percocet or anything - just advil and halls), it seems that just a few sips (glasses) does the trick.

OK, gotta go finish watching Grey's Anatomy.

My Head Feel Like An Overblown Balloon

This is going to be short because I feel like my head is about to pop and I don't want to ruin the computer screen if it does cause I've seen some of the crap that is going to fly out. You wouldn't believe the crap in my head right now. I mean, my nose, aside from it bleeding every time I blow it, well, let's just say it isn't pretty. My tongue feels like it has shriveled up and cracked. Poor tongue. It can't taste right either because, I think, of the fever I had for three days. I haven't completely lost my sense of taste like I did last time I had a fever for several days but things certainly don't taste as robust. It's like I'm a smoker again. God, I remember when I would be sick like this when I smoked and I would actually still go outside in the dead of winter and have a cigarette. That almost makes me gag. Ooh, I just did.

The mucus coming out of my lungs: I'm pretty sure it is actual particles of my lungs. Mmm, delicious.

I know right now you're thanking the heavens that I don't have the stomach flu, huh?

Anyway, my plans for today are to sit inside and cuddle up on my couch and get better. I can't stand to feel this way and I'm not going to chance a "speedy" recovery by doing errands and raking leaves, much as I want to (insert sarcasm).

K, gotta go see what senseless crap is on Stevie! Later.

I'm Sick!!!

Here's how I feel: Sick, hot, cold, achy, my eyeballs burn, my clothes hurt my skin, my head is pounding, my hair looks horrendous, not that I care, I haven't eaten since yesterday morning (except for a few Ritz crackers and 7-up) my throat feels like there's a round ball blocking most of it up, I lay in bed and either shiver or lay in a puddle of sweat. Upside: maybe I'll lose a couple of pounds and the dogs are happy because I'm home, unexpectedly.
So, I finally ventured downstaris this morning after nearly 24 hours in bed and laid on the couch. Bubba came and laid at my feet - I'm thinking to keep me warm. Then, he moves and shimmies his way up between my side and the pillows on the couch. Next thing I know, he stands up, walks on my chest and plops down. On my head. Jim walked in laughed, walked back out and returned to snap a few pictures. He said, "Isn't that cute, he's trying to make you feel better." Um, no Jim. He just wants me to get out of his spot. (he likes to lay in a certain place on the couch and doesn't care if someone else is there.) So here are a few pictures of Bubba, "comforting the Mama" (that's me - disregard my sickly face.)

Top 10 Reasons Margaritas Are Neccessary On Friday

I have just returned from dinner. Not a dinner of Margarita's, though I would not turn that away but of delicious Mexican food from my favorite Mexican restaurant - Cazadores.

Sitting there, sipping (chugging) my superb strawberry frozen Margarita, I started to think about why, on a Friday I enjoy such a delicous treat and why, in fact it is neccessary for me and my sanity.

So, here are my top 10 reasons why Margaritas are so essential in life.
10. I work with a bunch of stupid morons (3 of them really) and by Friday, drinking is a must.
9. Three of my collegues are such horrible teachers that alcohol is needed to help me forget their actions.
8. Margaritas are delicious frozen sips of heavan and kick off a weekend of leisure quite well.
7. After a week of stupid questions from 3 stupid people, I need a Margarita (or any alcoholic drink) to help me forget.
6. The brain freeze that a margarita will give you when you suck it through a straw too fast provides the slight brain damage needed to make you stupid enough to return to a place of work where you're surrounded by stupid morons.
5. Margaritas taste freaking awesome!
4. Margaritas remind you that there is something to look forward to at the end of a week dealing with a stupid blond and two ridulously stupid brunettes (not you Diane).
3. A strawberry Margarita will always listen to you bitch about the morons you work with
2. If you didn't drink the delicious strawberry Margarita, it wouldn't be fulfilling it's "alcoholic beverage" destiny.
And the number one reason that Margaritas are neccessary on a Friday (drumroll)
1. Margaritas are the only things that help me forget the torture that the 3 knumskulls at work have put me through all week - allowing me to return to work on Monday

Gotta go, I hear the blender calling.

Word of the Day

This word kept popping (accidentally typed pooping) up in my dreams last night, so, I'm making it the word of the day.

Wank or Wanker

Try to use it in a sentence today. Such as:
Billy refused to do his homework last night. He's such a wanker.

Kristyn's River Float & Cookout (Rehersal Dinner)

I got some of the pictures back from last weekend's trip to North Carolina. Here are some of the pictures from the River Float and cookout. The first one is of our raft "launching off" - backwards (we were floating down the river stern first for a while). None of us had ever done this before. So much fun!!! The dark photo is of Charlie (on the left)- Maggie's new friend and Dan is on the right (the groom). Best wedding ever!!!

WHO DEY DIANE!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I would like to give a gigantic shout out to Diane. Diane is one of my colleagues from work but more importantly, she is my friend. She (and a couple other people but this is about Diane so...) makes coming to work every day easier, more fun and worthwhile. Knowing that she will be there to make me laugh and listen while I vent makes my days much more relaxed.

ILOVEYOU Diane and I hope your day was superb (hell, the Bengals won so that has to be something! In fact, I arranged that - my connections - so HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me to you!)

The Momma and Her Girls

I look stupid but essentially, we all sure clean up nice.

Give Me Keith Urban's Money

Ok, I'm not a Keith Urban fan and the fact that I'm actually posting due to Urban news is a little ridiculous but there is a reason. I just read that Keith Urban has checked into rehad. The "happily married" Urban who should have NO REASON to ever have to slide back into doing drugs. You see, I think that it is F#&KING ridiculous that these stars -like Keith Urban - who have these lives and shouldn't have the "worries" that most of us have to deal with (and by that I mean paying bills, working at jobs that may stress us out that we have to actually stay in because there isn't an alternative, I could go on but I've already got a run-on sentence) go and F&$K everything up by going back to the drugs that nearly killed them. I mean, dude, is your life SO stressful that you just couldn't help it and you HAD to just go score an eightball? Life was getting to be too much (the limos and private airplanes and gorgeous wife and fans who love you and your own gorgeousness and...)? Because in my eyes, the only reason someone like you (and by that I mean someone like you with money like you have) goes back into drugs is because you have the money to do it and it is so easy to just be an idiot.

So my suggestion is, give me your money Keith and we'll see if I'm stupid enough to go back to my idiotic ways that could have left me in the ground. Let's see if I, with your money, forget how to "normally" deal with stress and just "slip" back into my effed up ways. Because seriously, I don't get it and I don't think I would be so careless and self-centered and thoughtless.

I don't get how someone who has it all can throw it all away on a little blow that really isn't that great. Not compared to all the great things that can and must make up your life. Oh, yes, I'm sure you're like everyone else and you have problems just like everyone else but seriously, that's a bunch of crap. Half my problems wouldn't be here if I had what you had. But then,I woldn't be as dumb as you as to cause a problem because I had money and had nothing else to do with it.

Sorry, I'm just sick of "stars" who have nothing better to do than to blow (no pun intended) their money up their nose when I would be happy to spend it wisely.

"In My Experience, Multi-Handicapped Kids Have Big Ones"

I'll let you guess what the discussion during early dismissal was. And by the way, that was NOT a statement that I made.

Can I Get a Big Fat WHO DEY For Trip?

Today is my brother Trip's 40th birthday and I can't believe he is 40. To me, he seems like he's no older than 30. Not because he's immature but because he is so young at heart and doesn't look like 40 (though I think 40 looks pretty good).

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIP!!! I love you! You are the best older brother out there and I thank every day that you are in my life! You mean so much to me and I can't wait for another 40 years of hanging out together playing Uno and Euchre or pool volleyball or golf. I love you!

Can I Get a WHO DEY for MAGGIE!!!???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!!

Today is Maggie's birthday (my sister). Happy 38th! I love you and hope you have a good and happy birthday. Today, you are NOT allowed to deal with reality. Tomorrow we will handle that. Remember I love you and thank my lucky stars I was given such a gift as you in my life.

I'm Home Again!

Well, I have returned from a trip that was probably too much fun! As wedding's go, it was the best wedding ever. I got to see people that I hadn't laid eyes on in probably 20 years. Crazy! And I'm still recovering.

For those of you (I'm sure no one) reading this, I went to the wedding of my best friend from childhood. Kristyn and I have known each other since the summer of '74 when we were both 3 and my family moved across the street from hers. She ended up moving in with my family after her sophomore (maybe freshman) year. Anyway, she married Dan this past weekend in Hot Springs, North Carolina a town of 645 people, just over the Tennessee border.

Some of the things I did this past weekend: rafted down the French Broad River (5 miles which took about 2 hours); climbed a mountain (part of the Appalachian trail); spoke publicly 2 times; drank a crapload; walked home from a strange bar at midnight, by myself with the the Hound of the Baskervilles after me (or so I thought) and fought with my sister 2 times. I had a fabulous time and will share crazy pictures when I get them (I took my camera without any disk in it so I have to rely on others to send me theirs).

More later.

New Clothes

I've been way stressed about finding something to wear to the wedding I'm going to this
weekend. Well, the stress is over. I have found and bought my sweet outfit. I spent way too much money in the process but, I'm happy and for me to say that about clothing and shopping is pretty remarkable. AND, it happened pretty much in a one-stop shopping spree.

Maggie and I went to Ann Taylor Loft and I had an idea of the dress I was hoping to get. I found those dresses, tried them on, realized they looked like crap so I let Maggie find something better. Thank the lord I wasn't being overly "feisty" today and she was able to sway me into buying some good stuff. Below you will find the skirt and sweater I will be wearing. The sweater is actually a chocolate brown and I bought a thick leather belt to break it all up. The shoes!? Well, if I don't fall flat on my caboose, then they will be awesome. They are at least 4 inch heels but the heel is really thick so they don't feel as wobbly as you'd think. Although in Macy's I felt like I was ice skating because I was trying to walk on carpet and the shoes weren't scuffed at all. Plus I looked really awesome with my army green pants rolled up to my knee.

Later

10 Bottles of Wine...9 People Drinking

You do the math. And by the way, there were two 1.5 bottles (I think) so technically that's 12 bottles of wine. And, we RAN OUT and those who could still walk, went up to the bars for closing.

So you're probably wondering what the heck I'm talking about. Well, Jim, Maggie (accidentally typed Maggit) and I went to Terri's last night for our first "dinner club". She lives in Mount Adams. It was an Italian theme so there was lots of Italian wine and wine in general. We had a white bean and tuna salad, Beet Ravioli (delicious though it doesn't sound like something you'd go yum to) and roasted lamb with escarole (I don't know how to spell that). All was delicious! I am NOT still drunk like every other time I've gone out recently because I paced myself and stopped drinking at about midnight - um, cause we ran out of wine - and drank water. We played the new 80s Trivia and Jim and I won!!! We may have cheated, I don't remember. I was slightly tipsy at the time. I do know that Carrie cheated. And I laughed my butt off and my stomach is sore!

Anyway, the next dinner club will be at my house, I think, cause I want to do a winter, warm and cozy thing. I figure with the fireplace and whatnot, it would be good and I just saw a great recipe for a scrumptious beef stew thing.

So, I'm off today to find a F&%KING dress for Kristyn's wedding. I'm getting a little stressed about it. I hate finding a dress for an event cause I look like poo (at least that's what I feel like).

Anyway, later.

Food Dreams

Here's what I dreamt about last night: LaRosa's pizza (stuffed) and either the lasagna or ravioli, I can't remember. In my dream, I ordered that because it was parent/teacher conferences. Then, my colleague across the hall who teaches Biology wanted Papa John's. Then that turned into me (in my dream), driving along, thinking about Bob Evans biscuits and gravy which I never order if I go there. However, in my dream, I missed the turn into Bob Evans driveway and couldn't turn around so I had to go to Perkins where I tried to order 1 scrambled eggs and a stack of pancakes. The waitress said there wasn't a way to order just one scrambled egg, I would have to order two. Um, 'scuse me? I think that if you just don't scramble up two, you just scramble up one, that should be "a way". Then I realized, "Oh, they use "powdered" or "substitute" eggs". Then I dreamt that I was in the back hallway at school washing dishes from my LaRosa's pizza, smoking a cigarette. Suddenly, one of my kids from school came back there whereupon, I let the cigarette, stuck in my mouth, fall into the sudsy water. The kid then says, he saw me smoking out on the street the day before(remember, I quit over a year ago). I told him: "Who the f*%k cares. Leave me alone." Way to set an example Muir.

So, who's going to bring me a stack of perking pancakes cause now I can't stop thinking about them!!!

One of These Days...

...I'm going to get hit. By Spanky (you remember Spanky from my previous blog about well, Spanky spankin it). See, Spanky gets really angry when you tell him to do anything. He gets about 10 break times a day and when break time is supposed to be over, he throws a freaking hissy fit. Yesterday during Social Studies, he didn't want to "work". By work, I mean, color. Instead, he thought it would be a good idea to throw colored pencils and shout - several times - at the top of his lungs that, "No!!! I won't! You a IDIOT!!! STUPID!" to whomever was standing near. (Me: "Spanky, we don't call our teachers stupid idiots in high school". The kids don't know I call them that.) Then he pounds whatever inanimate object is near - a table, wall, chair. Soon, he's going to pound one of us. Ugh!!! Angry mentally retarded, autistic kids scare me - just a little.

I Have GOT to Win The Lottery!!!

Why do I need to win the lottery you ask? Aside from the obvious reasons? I work with 3 dumb mother f%*kers, that's why!!! I need to win the lottery so that I am taken out of my misery every day of having to see their stupid, ugly faces. I want to go the rest of my lifetime without having to hear their whiny, grating voices. How do their husbands take it? How can they stand being married to the most annoying women on earth. Well, I must clarify. One of my "colleagues" isn't married. In fact, she has been in a relationship with a guy can't even stand to live in the same state with her. I question his very existence, to tell you the truth. I mean, what guy would willingly want to call her their girlfriend.

You know how some people say, they try not to say they hate anyone because it is so harsh? Well, if there were a harsher way of putting how much I hate these 3 stupid mother f&*kers, I would. I abhor them. I loathe them. I detest them. Now, this is harsh, I know and I wish I weren't wasting my energy on them but I can't stand them. They are underhanded and moronic and sneaky. And I'm done trying to do their job or at the very least, help them while they muddle through what is supposed to be their jobs. Seriously. I will do my job and only my job. I will not, in any way, help them, ever again. And I know that not so secretly, they will be gladly rid of me.

Someone give me a million dollars. PLEASE!!!