Well, it's been a while but here I am back on the blog site. Not much going on to blog about but just to let you know that things haven't really changed around here I thought I'd pop out another blog.
A couple of weeks ago my son discovered that the light in my guest bathroom wouldn't turn on. He hit the GFI button and even tho the night lite still lit, the light above the mirror didn't and neither did the fan. Same thing in my master bath. He checked the garage for a GFI switch and couldn't locate one. Soooo had to call an electrician. He came in the door, went into the guest bath, hit the switch - nothing. He went out to the garage, looked at the fuse box, put his hand behind the storage cabinet next to the fuse box and VOILA! the GFI switch. He pushed the button and the lights went on. How much do I owe you (for the 3 minutes you were here and the button you pushed.) He said $70.00. Seventy bucks for 3 minutes. I guess it's like the doctors say, "It's not the amount of time the surgery took, it's knowing where to put the knife."
Geeeez.
A few days later my landscaper came out to do the spring cleanup, and pull all of the gorgeous shrubs I lost during the cold snap we had this winter. He checks my drip system and when he opened the lid to my water pipe thingy, he saw that it was flooded with water. There's a leak somewhere. So he shut the water off, and let the thing drain. He found the leak and had to rebuild a whatchamacallit with a thingymabob and that's going to cost you $40.00. Okay, he worked on it for 45 minutes plus parts, fair enough, but just another thing going wrong.
My friend called me yesterday and I was in the den on my computer. The phone in my den (I have 2 handsets) rings with a static sound as though it was hoarse and when you pick up the phone the static is so bad you can't hear anything else. The other handset works fine. I have no idea how you can repair one of these phones since I've never had a phone repaired since 1970 when the phone company did all that. So I have to deal with this now.
I got a renewal statement from my Auto Insurance companies, Home Owner's Insurance Company and some other renewal stuff but nothing from the company that insures my RV. So I looked up the file and found a cancellation notice dated "as of 12-12-05. They had mistakenly insured a "mobile home" which my fifth wheel is not. It's a travel trailer so they had to cancel that policy and issue me another one. I panicked when I didn't see a new policy anywhere in the file. I called the company and fortunately they record all telephone conversations. It seems that I talked to them in late November of 2005 and they would issue me a new policy as soon as I sent them a VIN number for the RV. Well, that was a blurred time in my life as you all know and somehow I forgot call them with the number so no policy was ever issued. I shudder when I think that I went all last year with no insurance on my RV. It is now insured and ready to roll. Hey I'm not used to having to do this. George did all that stuff. And when he died in Nov. of 2005 I wasn't thinking about trailer insurance.
Last night my grandson and I did some cooking and I wanted to heat something in the microzap. Timed it for 1 minute and heard the most god-awful sound ever. Grinding, groaning, whining and the smell of something like wires burning. Now I have something else to repair or replace. (Maybe I can call that same electrician and have him fix it for $5000.) I'm afraid to use this computer or anything else in the house today. And what about my car? So far this morning nothing has happened. Ahhhh the life of a drama queen.
The weather in this part of the country has been nothing short of fabulous. I am back in the pool with water aerobics and have talked a few of my friends into joining me. Feels good and they love it too. Hopefully I won't drown.
Wish me luck.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
Ahhh Michigan My Michigan
A friend e-mailed this to me this morning and I wanted to share it with everyone. I was born and raised in Detroit and, say what you want I am proud of my city and the state of Michigan for all it has to offer.
HOW WELL DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW MICHIGAN ???? HISTORY
Q. What Michigan community grew from 3,589 to 45,615 residents from 1910 - to 1920, leading the nation in growth during that period? A. Hamtramck ___________________________________________________
Q. During the lumber boom era, what name was given to the row of saloons that lined Water Street in Bay City? A. Hells' Half Mile ________________________________________ ___________
Q. In 1936, what UP City processed 100,000 sq. Feet of bird's eye maple for use in the English luxury liner, the Queen Mary? A. Escanaba ___________________________________________________
Q. When the territory of Michigan was created on Jan. 11, 1805 what town was selected as it's capital? A. Detroit ___________________________________________________
Q. Bloomfield Hills was first known by what name?
A. Bagley's Corners _ __________________________________________________
Q. Where is the world's only marble lighthouse?A. Belle Isle (Livingston Lighthouse) ___________________________________________________
Q. Utica was originally known by what name?A. Hog's Hollow ___________________________________________________
Q. Approx. How many lakes are in the state?A. 11,000 _____________________________ ______________________
Q. The home offices of Life Savers candy, Beech-Nut gum and Squirt soft drink are in which city?A. Holland _____________ _______________________________________
Q. What coastline has been given the name "Graveyard of the Great Lakes"?A. Whitefish Point, Lake Superior __________________________________________________
Q. In 1870, Detroit telephone customers became the first in the nation to have what type of reference information assigned to them?A. Telephone numbers__________________________________________________
Q. On Feb. 4, 1902, what internationally famous aviation pioneer was born in Detroit?A. Charles A. Lindbergh__________________________________________________
Q. On what date did the star & stripes first fly over MI soil?A. July 11, 1796__________________________________________________
Q. What ambitious automotive pioneer organized G.M. In S ept. Of 1908?A. William Crapo Durant __________________________________________________
Q. What annual license fee (how much) was charged to Michigan auto Owners in 190 5 to operate their vehicles?A. Fifty cents ____________________________________________________
Q. In what year was the first policewoman appointed in Detroit?A. 1893 ___________________________________________________
Q. What was the world's first urban freeway, completed in 1942?
A. The Davison Freeway, Detroit __________________________________________________
Q. In 1879, what amount was paid to the Campau family by the city Of Detroit for Belle Isle?A. $200,000 _________________________________________________
Q. In 1866, what Detroit pharmacist introduced the world's first Carbonated soft drink?A. James Vernor (Vernor's ginger ale) _________________________________________________
Q. At what Detroit intersection was the world's first traffic light Installed in 1915?
A. Woodward Avenue and Grand Avenue _________________________________________________
Q. Who in 1688 founded the first permanent settlement in what later Became the state of Michigan?A. Father Jacques Marquette _________________________________________________
Q. In 1954 the world's first shopping mall opened in what Detroit Suburb?A. Southfield (Northland Mall) _________________________________________________
Q. What safety and traffic flow feature was first introduced near Trenton in 1911?A. Painted center lines_________________________________________________
ENTERTAINMENT Q. Debuting in 1936 over WWJ in Detroit, what crime fighting Adventure series used "Flight of the Bumblebee" as it's theme song?A. The Green Hornet __________________________________________________
Q. The Supremes were originally known by what name?A. The Primettes ____________________________________________________
Q. What Detroit-based male singing group was known as The Primes Until 1960?A. The Temptations ___________________________________________________
Q. Under what name did Motown artist Stevie Wonder originally write "My Cherie Amour" in 1966?
A. "Oh My Marsha"________________________________ __________________SPORTS/LEISUREQ. Where does Michigan rank internationally in the production of Dogsleds?A. First _________________________________________________
Q. What is the nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex?A. Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village_________________________________________________SCIENCE/NATUREQ. Compared to Chicago, "The Windy City," how does Detroit rank in Average wind velocity?A. The same (10.4 mph) ________________________________________________
Q. Arnold F. Wilt, born in Detroit in 1886, revolutionized the Cosmetology industry by developing what process?A. The cold permanent wave ________________________________________________
Q. The Michigan state capitol is constructed of what material?A. Ohio sandstone________________________________________________
Q. What is Michigan's largest fresh-market vegetable crop?A. Onions________________________________________________
Q. Opened in 1904, what is the oldest freshwater aquarium in the Nation?A. Belle Isle Aquarium ( Unfortunately, the aquarium is now closed .) ________________________________________________
And one more little known fact: There are more varieties of trees in Michigan than any other place in the world.
POSSIBLE NEW SLOGANS FOR MICHIGAN:The one that looks like a mitten, you moron
.Where used cars from Florida bring top dollar.
No hurricanes here.The Orange Barrel State.
So close to Canada you can hardly tell the difference.
We know the rules to euchre.
Got fudge?Two Mystery Spots. No waiting.
Yes, the Porcupines are real mountains.Soda? We say pop here, buddy.
The Midwestern "M" state without a wrestler for governor.
No riots since '67.More than just boarded up auto plants.Casino fever -- catch it
.Sandy beaches without severe undertow.
Happiness is a warm pasty.
Imagine an island where horse manure still litters the streets.
Water enough for any drought.
Visit Hell, Paradise, Christmas and Climax.
Birthplace of Meijer Thrifty Acres.
Where Ontario is a shortcut to New York.Gerald Ford slept here.It's called snow.
Get used to it.
Where the names of high-toned suburbs needlessly end with "e."Deer processing available here.Not as flat as Indiana.Try eating corn flakes without us.Hardly any annoying lizards or poisonous snakes.
Big on flannel.
It's not the heat. It's the humidity.
Smoked fish sold here.Good people with camping trailers.
We moved American history to Dearborn.
No toll roads and proud of it.
Our biggest bridge makes yours look puny.
Nearly went to war with Ohio once and will do it again if they pull Any funny stuff.
Land of snow machines and bass boats.
#@?!* mosquitoes.
We know a place where wooden shoes are always in style.
Where lousy teams get new stadiums.
Speed limit back up to 70, so move it.
HOW WELL DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW MICHIGAN ???? HISTORY
Q. What Michigan community grew from 3,589 to 45,615 residents from 1910 - to 1920, leading the nation in growth during that period? A. Hamtramck ___________________________________________________
Q. During the lumber boom era, what name was given to the row of saloons that lined Water Street in Bay City? A. Hells' Half Mile ________________________________________ ___________
Q. In 1936, what UP City processed 100,000 sq. Feet of bird's eye maple for use in the English luxury liner, the Queen Mary? A. Escanaba ___________________________________________________
Q. When the territory of Michigan was created on Jan. 11, 1805 what town was selected as it's capital? A. Detroit ___________________________________________________
Q. Bloomfield Hills was first known by what name?
A. Bagley's Corners _ __________________________________________________
Q. Where is the world's only marble lighthouse?A. Belle Isle (Livingston Lighthouse) ___________________________________________________
Q. Utica was originally known by what name?A. Hog's Hollow ___________________________________________________
Q. Approx. How many lakes are in the state?A. 11,000 _____________________________ ______________________
Q. The home offices of Life Savers candy, Beech-Nut gum and Squirt soft drink are in which city?A. Holland _____________ _______________________________________
Q. What coastline has been given the name "Graveyard of the Great Lakes"?A. Whitefish Point, Lake Superior __________________________________________________
Q. In 1870, Detroit telephone customers became the first in the nation to have what type of reference information assigned to them?A. Telephone numbers__________________________________________________
Q. On Feb. 4, 1902, what internationally famous aviation pioneer was born in Detroit?A. Charles A. Lindbergh__________________________________________________
Q. On what date did the star & stripes first fly over MI soil?A. July 11, 1796__________________________________________________
Q. What ambitious automotive pioneer organized G.M. In S ept. Of 1908?A. William Crapo Durant __________________________________________________
Q. What annual license fee (how much) was charged to Michigan auto Owners in 190 5 to operate their vehicles?A. Fifty cents ____________________________________________________
Q. In what year was the first policewoman appointed in Detroit?A. 1893 ___________________________________________________
Q. What was the world's first urban freeway, completed in 1942?
A. The Davison Freeway, Detroit __________________________________________________
Q. In 1879, what amount was paid to the Campau family by the city Of Detroit for Belle Isle?A. $200,000 _________________________________________________
Q. In 1866, what Detroit pharmacist introduced the world's first Carbonated soft drink?A. James Vernor (Vernor's ginger ale) _________________________________________________
Q. At what Detroit intersection was the world's first traffic light Installed in 1915?
A. Woodward Avenue and Grand Avenue _________________________________________________
Q. Who in 1688 founded the first permanent settlement in what later Became the state of Michigan?A. Father Jacques Marquette _________________________________________________
Q. In 1954 the world's first shopping mall opened in what Detroit Suburb?A. Southfield (Northland Mall) _________________________________________________
Q. What safety and traffic flow feature was first introduced near Trenton in 1911?A. Painted center lines_________________________________________________
ENTERTAINMENT Q. Debuting in 1936 over WWJ in Detroit, what crime fighting Adventure series used "Flight of the Bumblebee" as it's theme song?A. The Green Hornet __________________________________________________
Q. The Supremes were originally known by what name?A. The Primettes ____________________________________________________
Q. What Detroit-based male singing group was known as The Primes Until 1960?A. The Temptations ___________________________________________________
Q. Under what name did Motown artist Stevie Wonder originally write "My Cherie Amour" in 1966?
A. "Oh My Marsha"________________________________ __________________SPORTS/LEISUREQ. Where does Michigan rank internationally in the production of Dogsleds?A. First _________________________________________________
Q. What is the nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex?A. Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village_________________________________________________SCIENCE/NATUREQ. Compared to Chicago, "The Windy City," how does Detroit rank in Average wind velocity?A. The same (10.4 mph) ________________________________________________
Q. Arnold F. Wilt, born in Detroit in 1886, revolutionized the Cosmetology industry by developing what process?A. The cold permanent wave ________________________________________________
Q. The Michigan state capitol is constructed of what material?A. Ohio sandstone________________________________________________
Q. What is Michigan's largest fresh-market vegetable crop?A. Onions________________________________________________
Q. Opened in 1904, what is the oldest freshwater aquarium in the Nation?A. Belle Isle Aquarium ( Unfortunately, the aquarium is now closed .) ________________________________________________
And one more little known fact: There are more varieties of trees in Michigan than any other place in the world.
POSSIBLE NEW SLOGANS FOR MICHIGAN:The one that looks like a mitten, you moron
.Where used cars from Florida bring top dollar.
No hurricanes here.The Orange Barrel State.
So close to Canada you can hardly tell the difference.
We know the rules to euchre.
Got fudge?Two Mystery Spots. No waiting.
Yes, the Porcupines are real mountains.Soda? We say pop here, buddy.
The Midwestern "M" state without a wrestler for governor.
No riots since '67.More than just boarded up auto plants.Casino fever -- catch it
.Sandy beaches without severe undertow.
Happiness is a warm pasty.
Imagine an island where horse manure still litters the streets.
Water enough for any drought.
Visit Hell, Paradise, Christmas and Climax.
Birthplace of Meijer Thrifty Acres.
Where Ontario is a shortcut to New York.Gerald Ford slept here.It's called snow.
Get used to it.
Where the names of high-toned suburbs needlessly end with "e."Deer processing available here.Not as flat as Indiana.Try eating corn flakes without us.Hardly any annoying lizards or poisonous snakes.
Big on flannel.
It's not the heat. It's the humidity.
Smoked fish sold here.Good people with camping trailers.
We moved American history to Dearborn.
No toll roads and proud of it.
Our biggest bridge makes yours look puny.
Nearly went to war with Ohio once and will do it again if they pull Any funny stuff.
Land of snow machines and bass boats.
#@?!* mosquitoes.
We know a place where wooden shoes are always in style.
Where lousy teams get new stadiums.
Speed limit back up to 70, so move it.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
THE OSCARS
Well, the Acadamy Awards show was definitely watchable this year. Not a lot of hokey inconsequential stuff and Ellen Degeneres did a great job. They actually made the show very interesting with some great visual silhouettes behind a screen. I was glad to see "The Departed" win because it really is a good movie and very well acted. Martin Scorcese just doesn't do anything that isn't superb. "Taxi Driver" was one of his best and a big favorite of George's and mine. We watched it every time it was on. George loved to say one of Robert DeNiro's most famous lines, "Are you talkin' to me"? and never missed a chance to say it. Actually my kids thought it was hilarious that he and I talked in "movie-ese." We always quoted the movies every chance we got. When we owned our retail shops we'd go to the trade shows in Los Angeles and San Franscisco. We couldn't get in without a badge, and , you guessed it - he had to say it every time. "We don't need no stinking badges." which of course is the most famous line from "Treasure of Sierra Madre." And I laughed every time he said it. One of the biggest kicks he got was driving back to Vegas from Michigan and quoting the lines from "National Lampoon's Vacation." We took just about the same route as they did in the movie and George had to quote Chevy Chase every mile of the way. Then we started flying both ways and the quotes stopped. He made me laugh and I miss him. I always will.
Anyway back to the Oscars. I was hoping "Babel
would win. If you haven't seen this movie try to rent it . I thought it was one of the best and most powerful movies I've seen in a long time and will watch it again. The story is about a couple who are vacationing in Morocco and the wife is shot while on a bus tour. She is critically injured and from that point on the story begins to tie in with incidents happening in Japan, Morocco, and Mexico. As the story goes on you begin to see how all of these incidients tie in together and it leaves you breathless. The acting is nothing short of superb. Sorry it didn't win.
Our solos group went to see "Tina and Tony's Wedding" last night at the Rio. It was chaotic and hilarious. The audience gets involved and we even danced at the wedding. Our next outing will be "Legends" at the Imperial Palace. I've lived in Vegas for 7 yrs, came to Vegas every month for about 10 yrs. and still haven't seen this award winning show. Now's my chance.
I don't want to talk about the weather because I'm never going to warm up. This sucks big time. I was never this cold when I lived in Michigan for crying out loud. Speaking of Michigan......
Anyway back to the Oscars. I was hoping "Babel
would win. If you haven't seen this movie try to rent it . I thought it was one of the best and most powerful movies I've seen in a long time and will watch it again. The story is about a couple who are vacationing in Morocco and the wife is shot while on a bus tour. She is critically injured and from that point on the story begins to tie in with incidents happening in Japan, Morocco, and Mexico. As the story goes on you begin to see how all of these incidients tie in together and it leaves you breathless. The acting is nothing short of superb. Sorry it didn't win.
Our solos group went to see "Tina and Tony's Wedding" last night at the Rio. It was chaotic and hilarious. The audience gets involved and we even danced at the wedding. Our next outing will be "Legends" at the Imperial Palace. I've lived in Vegas for 7 yrs, came to Vegas every month for about 10 yrs. and still haven't seen this award winning show. Now's my chance.
I don't want to talk about the weather because I'm never going to warm up. This sucks big time. I was never this cold when I lived in Michigan for crying out loud. Speaking of Michigan......
Friday, February 23, 2007
Small Talk and more Stuff
Well, it's been a while but I'm back at the computer and blogging again. I've gotten requests from friends who want more blogs. Not a whole lot to blog about but here goes.
The Oscars are coming up this weekend and while I think they are on the bottom rung of the program ladder I can't help but watch them faithfully every year. I don't believe that the best movie, or star, or director is really the BEST, I just think they campaigned harder and maybe - just maybe - greased a few palms. Nahhh, they wouldn't do that would they???
I recently joined Netflix and if you rent and watch movies this is the best thing going. I started out with the lowest choice - one movie at a time, 2 per month. I suddenly realized after looking at what seemed like all 70,000 titles on Netflix, that I needed to upgrade to unlimited movies, but still one at a time. You order it today, it's in your mailbox tomorrow, you send it back and receive the next movie on your queue the day after that. I love it. No postage, just drop it in your mailbox. The ones I just saw are Little Miss Sunshine, The Departed, Derailed, Inside Man and one "chick" movie that I already forgot. I now have 21 movies in my queue and hope to see all of them before I leave for Michigan. I got Babel in the mail this morning and will watch it tonight. I want to be armed when the Oscars come on so I can see who won that didn't deserve to. LOL.
BTW, if you want to see a powerful and excellently acted movie, don't miss The Departed. Everyone deserved an Oscar for this one. And Alan Arkin should win for the ditzy, nutcase grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine.
I made my plane reservations for Michigan the other day and I have to tell you this. Makes you scratch your head in wonder at what's going on. I called American Airlines (I always fly American) and gave the guy the info; when I wanted to leave, when I wanted to come back, the plane I preferred ,and the seat I wanted. First class, aisle bulkhead seat, 757 model, leaving at 11 am on 5/25, returning 7 AM 9/21. All the info was in place, no problem, then he gave me the fare. $1400 . I told him I thought that was overpriced since I flew last year and the year before for $1200. He said, "sorry, but that's the best I can do." I said " I know you can do better - how about trying?" click, click, click, "Hmmm" he said, "looks like that's the best rate. " I said I wanted a lower fair and please don't make me go to Delta. He said, "hold on, let me try something else," click, click, click, "How about $1009?" Well I'll be darned, we went from $1400 to $1009 after he told me twice that his first fare was the best he could do. I don't take no for an answer EVER and almost always get what I want, but it makes you wonder how much cheaper we can get what we want with a little negotiation. I PUSH, I want to. I pushed my cable company a couple days ago and told them that because I get EVERYTHING they have to offer, (2 TV's with full cable digital channels meaning all the channels they have, DVR recording systems and computer cable hook up) I thought I should get a better rate. Again, hmmm, best we can do bull crap. Again I said they can do better, how about trying a little harder? I'm looking into satellite and Dish TV ( okay, I lied, but I could) and she said, how about if we drop your monthly rate by $25.00? Well, that suits me just fine. PUSH for what you want and you'll be surprised at how much you can get. I love the negotiation part. It's fun.
A whole bunch of social fun stuff coming up for the month of March, then I have to get ready to leave. That means getting rid of that full freezer and pantry. I won't have to buy groceries for the rest of this month or next. LOL.
I lost a bunch of plants, my favorites with the 4 days of below zero temps (went into the low 20's) and I'm really bummed about that. I've had it with this damn landscaping. I'm not replacing the plants. I'm seriously thinking of putting down artificial turf, but I hate anything fake. On the plus side, I won't have to worry about watering, weeds, or the plants dying off. What a pain!!! I'm wondering how my trees, shrubs and flowers held up during the awful Michigan winter. Frankly, as cold and with as much snow as they have in Michigan, I don't think that in all the 45 yrs. I lived there I was EVER as cold as I have been this winter here in Nevada. I still can't warm up.
I have 3 friends who are having their knees replaced in the next couple of weeks. What does that tell you? Tells me we are ready for a complete overhaul. I could use a tune up, new paint job, and my whole body put on a lift.
The Oscars are coming up this weekend and while I think they are on the bottom rung of the program ladder I can't help but watch them faithfully every year. I don't believe that the best movie, or star, or director is really the BEST, I just think they campaigned harder and maybe - just maybe - greased a few palms. Nahhh, they wouldn't do that would they???
I recently joined Netflix and if you rent and watch movies this is the best thing going. I started out with the lowest choice - one movie at a time, 2 per month. I suddenly realized after looking at what seemed like all 70,000 titles on Netflix, that I needed to upgrade to unlimited movies, but still one at a time. You order it today, it's in your mailbox tomorrow, you send it back and receive the next movie on your queue the day after that. I love it. No postage, just drop it in your mailbox. The ones I just saw are Little Miss Sunshine, The Departed, Derailed, Inside Man and one "chick" movie that I already forgot. I now have 21 movies in my queue and hope to see all of them before I leave for Michigan. I got Babel in the mail this morning and will watch it tonight. I want to be armed when the Oscars come on so I can see who won that didn't deserve to. LOL.
BTW, if you want to see a powerful and excellently acted movie, don't miss The Departed. Everyone deserved an Oscar for this one. And Alan Arkin should win for the ditzy, nutcase grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine.
I made my plane reservations for Michigan the other day and I have to tell you this. Makes you scratch your head in wonder at what's going on. I called American Airlines (I always fly American) and gave the guy the info; when I wanted to leave, when I wanted to come back, the plane I preferred ,and the seat I wanted. First class, aisle bulkhead seat, 757 model, leaving at 11 am on 5/25, returning 7 AM 9/21. All the info was in place, no problem, then he gave me the fare. $1400 . I told him I thought that was overpriced since I flew last year and the year before for $1200. He said, "sorry, but that's the best I can do." I said " I know you can do better - how about trying?" click, click, click, "Hmmm" he said, "looks like that's the best rate. " I said I wanted a lower fair and please don't make me go to Delta. He said, "hold on, let me try something else," click, click, click, "How about $1009?" Well I'll be darned, we went from $1400 to $1009 after he told me twice that his first fare was the best he could do. I don't take no for an answer EVER and almost always get what I want, but it makes you wonder how much cheaper we can get what we want with a little negotiation. I PUSH, I want to. I pushed my cable company a couple days ago and told them that because I get EVERYTHING they have to offer, (2 TV's with full cable digital channels meaning all the channels they have, DVR recording systems and computer cable hook up) I thought I should get a better rate. Again, hmmm, best we can do bull crap. Again I said they can do better, how about trying a little harder? I'm looking into satellite and Dish TV ( okay, I lied, but I could) and she said, how about if we drop your monthly rate by $25.00? Well, that suits me just fine. PUSH for what you want and you'll be surprised at how much you can get. I love the negotiation part. It's fun.
A whole bunch of social fun stuff coming up for the month of March, then I have to get ready to leave. That means getting rid of that full freezer and pantry. I won't have to buy groceries for the rest of this month or next. LOL.
I lost a bunch of plants, my favorites with the 4 days of below zero temps (went into the low 20's) and I'm really bummed about that. I've had it with this damn landscaping. I'm not replacing the plants. I'm seriously thinking of putting down artificial turf, but I hate anything fake. On the plus side, I won't have to worry about watering, weeds, or the plants dying off. What a pain!!! I'm wondering how my trees, shrubs and flowers held up during the awful Michigan winter. Frankly, as cold and with as much snow as they have in Michigan, I don't think that in all the 45 yrs. I lived there I was EVER as cold as I have been this winter here in Nevada. I still can't warm up.
I have 3 friends who are having their knees replaced in the next couple of weeks. What does that tell you? Tells me we are ready for a complete overhaul. I could use a tune up, new paint job, and my whole body put on a lift.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A WEEK in the Life of This Drama Queen
I haven't posted in a week and everyone is asking why. I have been too busy that's why. Wednesday, I played cards with my friends as we do every Wednesday. I was busy all day doing something but I have already forgotten what since my memory doesn't take me back that far.
Thursday, I did some grocery shopping, then to my son's for visit, then out to dinner at the Venetian Hotel and the play "Phantom of the Opera." Fantasic production. The scenery, visual effects, story and music were awesome. I was told that this production was better than the one in New York and Toronto by several people who commented after the show. This is the best thing our Solos group has been to in a long time.
Friday, I stayed home most of the day and vegged out. Finished reading Joseph Wambaugh's "Hollywood Station," his new bestseller. Great reading by a very interesting former cop turned writer. Did a 1/2 hour on the treadmill.
Saturday, cards in the morning with the Sun City group, then 5 of us go out to lunch after cards every Saturday. Went to Mimi's one of our favorite restaurants here in town. Had a visit from a friend of mine when I got home so I chatted with her for the better part of the afternoon.
Sunday, church then off to Kohl's to see what new stuff was on sale. Returned a watch and got a nicer one in exchange but didn't buy anything. Did a 1/2 hour on the treadmill.
Monday, did some stuff around the house, had breakfast, then bowling with our Sun City league. Bowled 3 pretty decent games. My daughter came to watch since she's on vacation this week, and I stayed and bowled a game with her. She bowled a 158 after not having bowled in years. Put me to shame. Went back to her house, picked up the kids and went out to dinner. Didn't do the treadmill. Bowling was enough.
Today I plan on making veggie soup, getting into another 100 pages of John Grishom's "An Innocent Man" (very interesting true story), getting my hair cut later today and that's it.
I did a few things in between the social stuff and reading, but not enough to be interesting. And I'm sure I forgot most of what I did.
The weather is going to warm up this weekend so I'll be back in the pool with water aerobics. I really miss it when I can't do it.
Making plane reservations to go back to Michigan in May. Was planning on leaving around the 20's but my grandson tells me his band concert is on the 23rd. Don't want to miss that one.
Ever have this happen to you? For the past couple of weeks my dishwasher has been gushing water out of the little air thingy that sits next to the faucet. I have no idea why, but when the dishwasher empties water just goes all over my counter almost to the edge. Takes me 10 minutes to mop it up. Well, I called the plumber last night and he's coming out this afternoon. He thinks it's the hose. My dishwasher is running right now and I've been checking on it everytime it empties. NOT A DROP OF WATER ANYWHERE. What's with that?
Ahhhh, another DramaQueen day.
Thursday, I did some grocery shopping, then to my son's for visit, then out to dinner at the Venetian Hotel and the play "Phantom of the Opera." Fantasic production. The scenery, visual effects, story and music were awesome. I was told that this production was better than the one in New York and Toronto by several people who commented after the show. This is the best thing our Solos group has been to in a long time.
Friday, I stayed home most of the day and vegged out. Finished reading Joseph Wambaugh's "Hollywood Station," his new bestseller. Great reading by a very interesting former cop turned writer. Did a 1/2 hour on the treadmill.
Saturday, cards in the morning with the Sun City group, then 5 of us go out to lunch after cards every Saturday. Went to Mimi's one of our favorite restaurants here in town. Had a visit from a friend of mine when I got home so I chatted with her for the better part of the afternoon.
Sunday, church then off to Kohl's to see what new stuff was on sale. Returned a watch and got a nicer one in exchange but didn't buy anything. Did a 1/2 hour on the treadmill.
Monday, did some stuff around the house, had breakfast, then bowling with our Sun City league. Bowled 3 pretty decent games. My daughter came to watch since she's on vacation this week, and I stayed and bowled a game with her. She bowled a 158 after not having bowled in years. Put me to shame. Went back to her house, picked up the kids and went out to dinner. Didn't do the treadmill. Bowling was enough.
Today I plan on making veggie soup, getting into another 100 pages of John Grishom's "An Innocent Man" (very interesting true story), getting my hair cut later today and that's it.
I did a few things in between the social stuff and reading, but not enough to be interesting. And I'm sure I forgot most of what I did.
The weather is going to warm up this weekend so I'll be back in the pool with water aerobics. I really miss it when I can't do it.
Making plane reservations to go back to Michigan in May. Was planning on leaving around the 20's but my grandson tells me his band concert is on the 23rd. Don't want to miss that one.
Ever have this happen to you? For the past couple of weeks my dishwasher has been gushing water out of the little air thingy that sits next to the faucet. I have no idea why, but when the dishwasher empties water just goes all over my counter almost to the edge. Takes me 10 minutes to mop it up. Well, I called the plumber last night and he's coming out this afternoon. He thinks it's the hose. My dishwasher is running right now and I've been checking on it everytime it empties. NOT A DROP OF WATER ANYWHERE. What's with that?
Ahhhh, another DramaQueen day.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Bits and Pieces of My Mind......
The following facts are true, my comments follow.
1. There is a shortage of pennies that could mean your pennies will be worth more than 5 cents in the future. (Now that means that anyone reading this newspaper article will hoard pennies, creating a shortage. Hmmm.)
2. Queen Elizabeth eats corn flakes for breakfast out of a Tupperware container. (Does she burp the lid?)
3. A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. (Let's see, they eat whatever they want in huge quantities and have a 30 minute orgasm. Lord, let me come back as a pig.)
4. A couple of fast food restaurants are seriously considering taking pesos as legal tender. (Oh great, now those who can't even make change for American money will have to learn about the peso exchange.)
5. No words rhyme with silver, orange or purple. (Okay, I'll buy that.)
6. A duck's quack has no echo and no one knows why. (Even if it yodels??)
7. There are no clocks in any of the Las Vegas casino. (But everyone wears a watch, and has the time on their everlasting cell phones. So there!!)
8. A McDonalds burger bun contains 198 sesame seeds. (I wonder how much they pay the person who counts them.)
9. In ancient Greece the word "idiot" meant a citizen or layman. (Means pretty much the same here too.)
10. Baskin Robbins created a ketchup flavored ice cream but decided against marketing it feeling it wouldn't sell. (Heck I would have put in on my burger.)
11. Frogs can be frozen solid, then thawed and go on living. (I'd better check the package of frog legs in my freezer.)
12. By the time a child gets out of elementary school, he would have witness 8,000 murders and 10,000 acts of violence. (And you're concerned with the "F" word?)
13. China has more English speaking people than the United States. (No kidding. But how many people in China can speak Spanish???)
14. Tell, what the hell is a "gourmet" hot dog?
1. There is a shortage of pennies that could mean your pennies will be worth more than 5 cents in the future. (Now that means that anyone reading this newspaper article will hoard pennies, creating a shortage. Hmmm.)
2. Queen Elizabeth eats corn flakes for breakfast out of a Tupperware container. (Does she burp the lid?)
3. A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. (Let's see, they eat whatever they want in huge quantities and have a 30 minute orgasm. Lord, let me come back as a pig.)
4. A couple of fast food restaurants are seriously considering taking pesos as legal tender. (Oh great, now those who can't even make change for American money will have to learn about the peso exchange.)
5. No words rhyme with silver, orange or purple. (Okay, I'll buy that.)
6. A duck's quack has no echo and no one knows why. (Even if it yodels??)
7. There are no clocks in any of the Las Vegas casino. (But everyone wears a watch, and has the time on their everlasting cell phones. So there!!)
8. A McDonalds burger bun contains 198 sesame seeds. (I wonder how much they pay the person who counts them.)
9. In ancient Greece the word "idiot" meant a citizen or layman. (Means pretty much the same here too.)
10. Baskin Robbins created a ketchup flavored ice cream but decided against marketing it feeling it wouldn't sell. (Heck I would have put in on my burger.)
11. Frogs can be frozen solid, then thawed and go on living. (I'd better check the package of frog legs in my freezer.)
12. By the time a child gets out of elementary school, he would have witness 8,000 murders and 10,000 acts of violence. (And you're concerned with the "F" word?)
13. China has more English speaking people than the United States. (No kidding. But how many people in China can speak Spanish???)
14. Tell, what the hell is a "gourmet" hot dog?
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Nuts Can Be Bad For You
I love nuts - namely shelled walnuts and pecans. I could eat them as a meal, but they are very costly. Let me explain.
I buy nuts from Whole Foods because I can buy them in bulk and they are super fresh. So yesterday I stopped in after my regular juant to the supermarket and decided all I needed was nuts. Now if you've ever been to a Whole Foods store you know that they carry a huge selection of EVERYTHING ever made, or grown on this planet. It's always fresh, always wholesome, meaning no preservatives, curatives, chemicals etc. When I enter the store I am in the produce department and in order to get where the nuts are I have to circle around the whole store. Well, I don't HAVE to, but I do. The produce is not only crisp and gorgeous, but every veggie, fruit and berry known to man is in this department. I pass the lettuce, just having bought some and stand in front of the awesome mushroom display. I count 15 different varieties of mushrooms and envision my fabulous "Wild Mushroon and Sherry Soup" that I love so much and decide to pick a few varieties. These mushrooms are so unusual that I have a hard time deciding and at 18 to 27 dollars per pound I finally bag a few and move on.
I notice the produce guy stacking red, gold and striped beets and knowing how much I love roasted beets, I bag a couple of each color, and a huge bunch of fresh basil - and I move on. This brings me to the Seafood/Fish section which in itself it a feast for the eyes. Every edible fish and seafood you've ever seen (and a few you've NEVER seen) is in this counter. Some of which looks downright spooky but the clams and mussels catch my eye and since I love my clams and mussels in spicy tomato/garlic/lemon/basil broth, I decide to buy some for dinner tonight. While deciding, I notice the huge stack of Fanny Bay oysters in the shell. Now raw Fanny Bays are probably the best thing you can put into your mouth so I shelve the clams idea and buy 8 oysters, and try to ignore the 9 varieties of smoked fish - and I move on. Moving on brings me smack in the middle of the cheese and wine section. Now wine is pretty much wine, but WF cheese bins are awesome. Cheeses from all over the world and this is my weakness. I buy a double cream brie, an imported from Spain blue cheese, and reluctantly I move on. Next to the cheeses is the hot food section. Everything from smoked ribs, chicken, double smoked spiral cut ham, roast beef and pulled pork and it's made right there. The guy hands me a sample of the smoked ribs, and tears come to my eyes. I can't eat ribs. Not yet anyway. And besides, my son makes the best ribs ever. So I move on and come to the pizza section, they make pizzas there too and sell them by the slice or the whole. They're hot, fresh and look heavenly. Maybe just one slice? No, can't do it. I try not to look since I'm already bumming about the ribs so I move on. The Mexican Food section is next, burritos, tacos, Mexican Tortilla soup, incredible beef enchiladas etc. Now remember this is Whole Foods so there are no junk items in these foods. Still, time to move on. Here's something I can't pass up and I just happen to need it. The artisan breads - again baked right on the property - so I grab a warm loaf of crusty whole wheat/6 grain bread and , you got it , move on. I can pass the 9 counters of salads of every description, southern fried (baked) chicken, pot roast, 12 kinds of imported olives and several other brined and pickled things, another weakness of mine, and an array of homemade soups. Wow, what will power. Surprises even me. I have to see what's new in the oil and vinegar aisle so I just take a peek. A peek gets me a bottle of sherry vinegar from Spain and a jar of some great looking tapenade made with sun dried tomatoes and artichokes. The label says, "great on pasta." Okay and I move on. I pass the huge display of prepared foods, salads, appetizers, veggie dips and spreads and stuff like that. I move on but some thing catches my eye and I back up. What is that great looking spinach thing? I buy a small container and block out the other things. I start to go to checkout and have to cut through the Italian food section. Am I kidding? I need to restock on San Marzano tomatoes from Italy and I put a couple cans in the basket. This reminds me that I'm low on Parmesan cheese (Reggianno only thanks) so I double back to the cheese counter. Dangerous thing to do but I made it without incident.
Now WF has a practice of allowing a restaurant to come in, set up a huge "sample our fare" display and passing out samples. This time it's RAO's. So I get a sample or two, a couple of coupons for money off if I come in to the restaurant and I MOVE THE HELL ON. But not before buying a jar of Rao's pasta sauce. Anyone who knows me knows that I make my own sauce but this one is awesome to say the least. Nine bucks a jar, is that nuts or what? and worth every dime. Look up Rao's on the internet and learn about this fabulous New York restaurant opening here in a couple of weeks. I figure I've done all the damage I can do for one day so I head for the checkout. I love this place and $58.65 later I head for the door and this time I MOVE OUT. This is a typical shopping experience for me at Whole Foods but a dangerous one. To top it all off, Trader Joe's is opening a new store less than 2 miles from my house. There's another blog. Hope you all have a Whole Foods and Trader Joe's where you live, but maybe you have more self-discipline than I.
BY THE WAY: DID ANYONE NOTICE THAT I FORGOT TO BUY THE NUTS???????
I buy nuts from Whole Foods because I can buy them in bulk and they are super fresh. So yesterday I stopped in after my regular juant to the supermarket and decided all I needed was nuts. Now if you've ever been to a Whole Foods store you know that they carry a huge selection of EVERYTHING ever made, or grown on this planet. It's always fresh, always wholesome, meaning no preservatives, curatives, chemicals etc. When I enter the store I am in the produce department and in order to get where the nuts are I have to circle around the whole store. Well, I don't HAVE to, but I do. The produce is not only crisp and gorgeous, but every veggie, fruit and berry known to man is in this department. I pass the lettuce, just having bought some and stand in front of the awesome mushroom display. I count 15 different varieties of mushrooms and envision my fabulous "Wild Mushroon and Sherry Soup" that I love so much and decide to pick a few varieties. These mushrooms are so unusual that I have a hard time deciding and at 18 to 27 dollars per pound I finally bag a few and move on.
I notice the produce guy stacking red, gold and striped beets and knowing how much I love roasted beets, I bag a couple of each color, and a huge bunch of fresh basil - and I move on. This brings me to the Seafood/Fish section which in itself it a feast for the eyes. Every edible fish and seafood you've ever seen (and a few you've NEVER seen) is in this counter. Some of which looks downright spooky but the clams and mussels catch my eye and since I love my clams and mussels in spicy tomato/garlic/lemon/basil broth, I decide to buy some for dinner tonight. While deciding, I notice the huge stack of Fanny Bay oysters in the shell. Now raw Fanny Bays are probably the best thing you can put into your mouth so I shelve the clams idea and buy 8 oysters, and try to ignore the 9 varieties of smoked fish - and I move on. Moving on brings me smack in the middle of the cheese and wine section. Now wine is pretty much wine, but WF cheese bins are awesome. Cheeses from all over the world and this is my weakness. I buy a double cream brie, an imported from Spain blue cheese, and reluctantly I move on. Next to the cheeses is the hot food section. Everything from smoked ribs, chicken, double smoked spiral cut ham, roast beef and pulled pork and it's made right there. The guy hands me a sample of the smoked ribs, and tears come to my eyes. I can't eat ribs. Not yet anyway. And besides, my son makes the best ribs ever. So I move on and come to the pizza section, they make pizzas there too and sell them by the slice or the whole. They're hot, fresh and look heavenly. Maybe just one slice? No, can't do it. I try not to look since I'm already bumming about the ribs so I move on. The Mexican Food section is next, burritos, tacos, Mexican Tortilla soup, incredible beef enchiladas etc. Now remember this is Whole Foods so there are no junk items in these foods. Still, time to move on. Here's something I can't pass up and I just happen to need it. The artisan breads - again baked right on the property - so I grab a warm loaf of crusty whole wheat/6 grain bread and , you got it , move on. I can pass the 9 counters of salads of every description, southern fried (baked) chicken, pot roast, 12 kinds of imported olives and several other brined and pickled things, another weakness of mine, and an array of homemade soups. Wow, what will power. Surprises even me. I have to see what's new in the oil and vinegar aisle so I just take a peek. A peek gets me a bottle of sherry vinegar from Spain and a jar of some great looking tapenade made with sun dried tomatoes and artichokes. The label says, "great on pasta." Okay and I move on. I pass the huge display of prepared foods, salads, appetizers, veggie dips and spreads and stuff like that. I move on but some thing catches my eye and I back up. What is that great looking spinach thing? I buy a small container and block out the other things. I start to go to checkout and have to cut through the Italian food section. Am I kidding? I need to restock on San Marzano tomatoes from Italy and I put a couple cans in the basket. This reminds me that I'm low on Parmesan cheese (Reggianno only thanks) so I double back to the cheese counter. Dangerous thing to do but I made it without incident.
Now WF has a practice of allowing a restaurant to come in, set up a huge "sample our fare" display and passing out samples. This time it's RAO's. So I get a sample or two, a couple of coupons for money off if I come in to the restaurant and I MOVE THE HELL ON. But not before buying a jar of Rao's pasta sauce. Anyone who knows me knows that I make my own sauce but this one is awesome to say the least. Nine bucks a jar, is that nuts or what? and worth every dime. Look up Rao's on the internet and learn about this fabulous New York restaurant opening here in a couple of weeks. I figure I've done all the damage I can do for one day so I head for the checkout. I love this place and $58.65 later I head for the door and this time I MOVE OUT. This is a typical shopping experience for me at Whole Foods but a dangerous one. To top it all off, Trader Joe's is opening a new store less than 2 miles from my house. There's another blog. Hope you all have a Whole Foods and Trader Joe's where you live, but maybe you have more self-discipline than I.
BY THE WAY: DID ANYONE NOTICE THAT I FORGOT TO BUY THE NUTS???????
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