Let's remember this more than just at Christmas

The Work of Christmas
by Howard Thurman

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart."
— The Mood of Christmas, 23

Charlie Brown Christmas

Thank you Linus - well done!

Happy Birthday to me!

Yay Steve!!!

I am a tree....of course I am

You Are a Tree

You love every part of the holidays, down to the candy canes and stockings. And you're goofy enough to put a Christmas tree ornament on your tree!

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatchristmasornamentareyouquiz/">What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Advent 1 Meditation

Meditation for the first week of Advent

Let's be thankful

Let's be thankful we had the Thanksgiving we did instead of one that might have been:

Steve and I woke up Thursday morning.
We could have been sleeping in a car or on the sidewalk, but we were in our nice warm house.

Steve made muffins, and checked on our dinner reservations
Lots of people went without a meal that day.

Steve had a heart attack and we called the ambulance.
How many people would not have called the ambulance because they don't have the insurance to pay for it? Or won't go to the hospital for the same reason?

The nurses and doctors at the hospital were awesome and gave Steve great care.
What if we had been some place where there is no real hospital?

Father David came right over to offer support and prayers.
Think of the countries where people are not allowed to practice their religion.

The doctors put two stents in Steve's heart and he will, most likely, be better than ever.
He might have died.

All in all, we have MUCH to be thankful for; not that our Thanksgiving didn't suck (because trust me - it did). But the alternatives are so much worse.

God is good.

All the time.

What do you want in YOUR stocking?

Now that the names have been drawn (thanks Andrea!) let the shopping begin!!

I have done a little survey here just to give everyone a hand. Copy and paste it in to the comments here so we can see what everyone has to say. I will call John and get his responses tonight.

What is your favorite color(s)? Yellow and red, but not to wear. Mostly I wear brown, caramel, and black during the winter

Favorite Candy/snack? (We know ALL about Ho-Ho’s, Steve) Not a big spiced orange fan. Love caramel!

Magazine? YES! I LOVE magazines about anything! OK mostly about food

What size sock do you wear? the normal 4 - 10 size

Hobbies? Where do I begin? Still quilting, doing some scrapbook stuff, cross stitch

What is your LEAST favorite flavor/smell? (Remember Erin’s intense hate of peaches). I cannot abide the smell of vanilla candles and/or buttercream. ACK - I feel my blood sugar rising just thinking of it!

Do you prefer to write with a pencil or pen? a .9 mechanical pencil

Are you collecting anything these days? Aren't I always? Actually I have been pretty good lately at not buying stuff. However, I always love a good snowman this time of year....

What is your favorite candle scent? Sage and Citrus, nothing too sweet. Target has a Method one that I really like - can't remember the name but it is green, and I like the blue one too. I think the blue one is clean water or something like that.

What bookstore do you go to – Borders or Barnes and Noble? Borders - alas

What else do you want us to know? I like it ALL! I love stuff!! Little frames WITH PICTURES ALREADY IN THEM would be great.

Update on the Oxy Ball

I thought that it would leave my clothes feeling funky - like there was still soap in them - but they don't. My clothes are clean and don't smell like anything at all (if you like the fresh laundry smellin' stuff it ain't happenin' here). Steve and I aren't horribly messy, so I cannot vouch for the stain removal propoerties of this product.

All and all I think I am going to keep using it!

You can't make this stuff up, people

LONDON - A 22-year-old man suffered internal injuries after lighting a small firecracker he had inserted into his buttocks, paramedics said Thursday.
The incident took place Sunday, when Britain celebrated Bonfire Night, traditionally marked with fireworks to celebrate the Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament in the 17th century.

The man suffered burns and other unspecified internal injuries in the incident in Sunderland, 275 miles north of London.

Katherine Shenton, a spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service, said a caller had phoned in that the victim was bleeding after the firecracker exploded.Several of the man’s friends recorded the incident on a mobile phone. The blurry images show a man bent over with his pants down and a white flash as the firecracker explodes.

Because that is what friends are for - letting you do something this stupid and then taking pictures of you while you are doing it.

Severe Shoe Lust

These super fantastic shoes could be mine - if I didn't make my car payment for three months.

sigh.

Consumer Testing

Hope this picture looks better on your computer than it does mine!

Anyhoo....I am trying the Oxi-Clean detergent ball. You put this big ball of detergent in a little sock thing and then in the rubber ball. Just "toss" it into the washer where it can stay for 25 washes. What about the rinse cycle you ask? You don't have to take it out for that. I have no idea how or if it works but I am going to find out!!

Thank God - I was worried I was becoming a Yankee

Your Linguistic Profile:

45% General American English

30% Dixie

15% Yankee

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Fortunately, I only have to figure out how to stomp out 15%.

Screw the Light Bulb Event

"Bobbi Baldus will be hosting the annual “Screw the Bulb” event at Wills Park on November 8 and 9 at 6:30 to replace bulbs in the Christmas street lights. Please mark your calendars and come out to help."

This is the text of an actual e-mail that I received this afternoon. Yes - I am going to attend.

Good times here in the shadow of our nation's capital.

Snit update

Still here.

Not quite as bad, but definately still here.

The no good very bad mood

It is Halloween - one of the best holidays EVER - and I am in a no good, very bad, mood.

I am having a little bit of homesickness (Please do not say "Well, you are the one who decided to move." You might draw back a bloody stub. Just feel I should warn you.) I am a little bored with my job (I do not have enough to do to keep my busy on a day to day basis). I am tired of living 30 minutes away from everyone and fighting the mice (but I love that we have no neighbors, that it is so quiet, etc).

So apparently I am having what is commonly referred to as a "snit." Let us hope that it leaves as quickly as it arrived!

What the...?

I was going to change my template and I guess I pushed too many buttons and have deleted some of my posts.

Another victory for the computer!

Random-ness at it's finest

OK this is kind of random, but stay with me folks.

I read a blog that is called "Lipstick is my Crack" and the gal who writes it swears by this stuff. So I decided to plunk down some $$ and try some.

I am in love.

OK - it takes your makeup off, even eye makeup, really well, rinses off beautifully, and leaves your face feeling fantastic . But the stuff smells incredible. I want to run out and buy a baguette to dunk in it.

You can get it online through the company that makes it (DHC) Sephora carries it (I think), not sure about Ulta. I highly recommend it and thank Mrs. Badger for the great tip.

That is all.

No new song

Sadly, the Sugarloaf Craft Fair did not rate it's own song. I know. No one was more disappointed than I.

To salvage the day, we drove on up to Hagerstown to the Outlet Mall!! Steve bought some jeans and some shoes. I bought a kit that turns a pumpkin into a spider. The real thrill of the trip was the autumnal (don't you just love that word?) colors we enjoyed along the way.

So. To all my children who are reading this blog: are we drawing names this year like last year? Let me know what you think because we need to begin to commence on that if we are.

National Acolyte Festival

And you thought you had fun this week-end! Steve and I took our acolytes (ages 5 through 16) to the National Acolyte Festival this past Saturday. They participated with the other 1990 acolytes - no I am not kidding that is really how many where there - in a Eucharist celebrated by our own Bishop Chane. The procession took a really long time as you might imagine! The youngest acolyte there was four and the oldest (in a wheelchair) was 87. It was very cool.

Sunday we went to church and then to the La Plata Rotary Club Annual Lobster Fest. It's true - we know how to live. Next week-end we are going to a Craft Festival that has the potential to rival our own Affair of the Heart. I am thrilled. Steve is trying to come up with a new song to sing at the top of his lungs for this one since he cannot sing his signature "Affair of the Heart" aria. I 'll keep you posted on that one.

Alas, back to the real world.

Just in case you had not heard, we had a wonderful time!! I agree with Patterson that Key West is awesome! The weather was great, the hotel was lovely, and the food was outstanding. I have completely fulfilled quota of grouper for the year.

Below are some pictures of the trip. As my little friend Abby would say: "Enjoy"

Here is the sunset from the pool at our hotel. Not a bad view!

Sorry that the picture is not better. This is Odie. Odie screams all the time. Odie disappeared the last day we were there. I think that the people in the room closest to Odie "done him in" as Eliza Doolittle would say. Justifiable in my opinion.

These turtles were the closest thing I saw to an alligator. I confess: I was deeply disappointed we did not see an alligator. We did, however, see Key Deer which are about the size of dogs. I decided that some cosmic twist had turned the deer into the predators, therefore, they had eaten all the alligators. Steve disputes this theory.

The pool at the Hyatt in which we stayed. There really was no beach per se. There was a little bity teeny tiny place that had 6 chaise lounges that they called the beach. We never got to sit in those lounges because someone was, apparently, always up at 4 a.m. to go "save" them all. Whatever. The waitress didn't go serve drinks on the "beach" so we were far far better off where we were.

The southern-most point in the continental U.S. I have no idea if there is a southern-most point that is not part of the continental U.S. Or where the nothern-most point is. This is all I got for ya.

Mile marker "0". The end, or beginning of the line as it were.

Don't forget!

Steve and I are leaving for Florida on Wednesday! We will be in Naples Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning. Friday afternoon through Tuesday we will be in Key West. We are planning a lot of time on the beach watching for scenes like the one above.

Steve's Surgery

As you all know - Steve's surgery went well. The Doctor told me that he took out more tissue than he originally thought he would have to only because there was more tissue to take.

Steve had a pretty rough night last night and I keep hearing that tomorrow, Friday, will be the worst day so I am running out to get a triple supply of Ho-Ho's just in case.

Thanks for all your love and prayers!

PS - the first thing he did when he got home after surgery was have a Ho-Ho and a pain pill.

My latest obesssion

I took a card making class on Saturday and the instructor had this cool little machine called a Xyron.

IT TURNS ANTHING INTO A STICKER.

I know, I was pretty excited myself. Anyway, I rushed wildly out and purchased the 1 1/2 inch wide version today and have run amock turning ribbon, feathers, whatever into a sticker! You just shove it in one end and it comes out a sticker on the other end!. Bob, alas, would not fit because I really wanted to stick His Goofiness on a wall somewhere to keep him from "helping" me.

The 1 1/2 inch wide Xyron is $9.99 and the replacement cartridges are $4.99. You can make your stickers as long as you want, but with this version, they can only be 1 1/2 inches wide. Of course they make wider sizes, and the cost runs up to $120.00, but I felt starting small was the best course of action.

PS - I bought the purple sparkley one. I am kinda over pink.

Ernesto - the real deal

OK - so we are in a state of Declared Emergency!!!

It is rather exciting I must say. I understand how people might think, "This is really cool! I am going to stay right here in my house and watch the 300 MPH winds go by because I am invincible!! The rain won't come in MY house. The wind won't take of MY roof!"

However, one must consider the possibility that the electricity might actually go off and you will not be able to watch "Dukes of Hazard" reruns while cars whip around your snug little abode. No electricity means that your beer will get warm in your 'frig and the whole experience will be one great big buzz kill. Bummer. Perhaps you should have gone with the nice National Guard people on their boat when they came by to pick you up. Hindsight is so 20/20.

We in Southern Maryland are not facing 300 MPH winds, only a deluge of an estimated one inch of rain per hour. I am prepared. There is the possibility that we might not have phones and that the cell phones won't work because of the storm system. Do not worry. We will be fine. We will call as soon as we can.

We are not watching Dukes of Hazard.

College Football starts THURSDAY!

Since Ernesto is heading for the DC area, I will be taking advantage of the rain keeping me in and forcing me to watch copious amounts of college football through my eyelids.

Apehangers

Here are the pretty policemen that escorted the ride. When they came to set the route up, the "ladies" in the front office nearly had a cow about how cute they are. Whatever. One had his hand on my shoulder and I had to warn him that the stud taking the picture is my husband. That certainly made them straighten up!

This my friends is a Harley that is mounted onto the all about 15 feet off the floor at Apehangers. The "deocrations" hanging off said bike are bras. Apparently, some of the female persuasion (one can hardly call them ladies) dance on the bar, take off said lingerie and toss it onto the bike. There is another bike exactly like it on the opposite wall similarly adorned. I did not dance on the bar; however two of my board members did. Fortunately they did not add to the collection on the bikds. I think I would have fainted and fallen in right then.

Project #1

I spent the morning at Material Girls learning how to properly embroider on terry cloth. It truly is more difficult that it sounds! There are all of those little loopies to consider...

Anyway....This was the design that we put on our towels. It is difficult to see, I think, because the flash washed so much of the color out it. It is supposed to be a duck in a bikini. I know. Next to the duck it was supposed to say, " No...I am not Julia Roberts, but I get that a lot." I decided I just wanted my name, thanks.

This is on the top of the towel and then, after we cut another towel in half and sewed one half to the back of the top and the other half into pockets, it is a terry cover for a lounge chair. I am doing another one in yellow with my monogram in periwinkle (to match my new tankini!) and will post that when I am finished.

Back upstairs to sew some more....

I really wanted to be Halle Berry's character....

You Are Iceman

You tried to live a normal life, but it just wasn't possible A bit of a slacker, you rather tell jokes than cultivate your powers Powers: turning self and others into ice, making ice weapons, becoming nearly invisible

Which of the X-Men Are You?

Well Duh!

Your Brain is 80% Female, 20% Male

Your brain leans femaleYou think with your heart, not your headSweet and considerate, you are a giverBut you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!

What Gender Is Your Brain?

While the cat is away the mouse will...Sew?

Steve and John left for Seattle yesterday and I received a call at 1:36 a.m. that they had arrived safely. YAY! I know that they will have a blast. If they just don't scare poor Luka to death....

So - while the manly men are off in testosterone heaven I am going to sew like a woman possessed! I bought a dress pattern yesterday (I know, I was shocked as well) that I want to try out and a pattern for a top that looks like it is a wrap but it is not. I don't trust those wrap dresses and tops to stay where they need to! So we will call this a "faux" wrap (sounds so much better than pretend). I am also going to a class at Material Girls on Saturday morning to learn more about my embroidery machine. WOO HOO!

I have lost a whopping 8 pounds in three weeks and am feeling quite sassy. To reward myself (like I need an excuse) , I did a twirl through the mall yesterday and found a cute dress that I could actually afford! It was on sale for $49! It has a "faux" wrap top that is a little too decollete for day time, but, as Erin so wisely pointed out, I can wear a pretty camisole that peeks out and be good to go. (Thanks Erin!)

Next time I post I hope I can report great things from the sewing room!!!

Pretty Clothes Continued

I have received my patterns for the pencil skirt (and two others that I am not yet ready to reveal quite yet). Today I bought some lovely dark denim and plan to whip my first skirt out tonight.

I am feeling so clever that if I had a tail I would be a weasel!

Mr. Simpson Goes to Maryland

Monday, John and I went to Annapolis. We toured "Ego Row" to

see all the boats and here is Annapolis harbour. We wanted to

ask some of these boats for a ride, but cooler heads prevailed.

In case you ever need to know this bit of trivia: The Naval Academy's

Mascot is named Bill. Here are John and Bill. I have a friend who has

a niece at the Academy, and part of her duties are to take care of

the real live Bill that goes to the games.

Here is the altar at the Naval Academy Chapel.

My picture captures nothing of how beautiful it really is

Here is the back fo the Naval Academy Chapel.

Again, my pictures do not do it justice.

Saturday we were going to go to Gettysburg, but we decided in the beach instead! Here is the entrance to the boardwalk, which is about a mile and a half long.
John surveys the Atlantic - actually I think he is surveying all the girls in their almost non-existent bathing suits!
OK - you know those pictures you see of the sandcastles that you wonder if are real? Well, we have seen them live and in person so we can assure you that they are, indeed, real.

Where have all the pretty clothes gone?

OK, let me clarify: where have all the pretty clothes that I can afford gone? They are certainly now where to be found in my end of the woods.

Drastic measures must be taken.

I have ordered two yards of the print to the left to make my own pencil skirt.

I can see this with a brown twin set with a lovely pink scark tied Parisianne style at the neck, perhaps pearls, or a great big pink flower in a nod to Sex and the City. Let us not forget the chocolate brown slingbacks that will complete the look.

The best part? I already have the twin set and shoes!!

I say we rise up and band together against the ugliness that is the fashion available to us. Betsy Ross patterns has the perfect pencil skirt pattern which I plan on using until my fingers bleed from sewing in zippers.

THANKS MOM FOR SHOWING ME IT CAN BE DONE!!!

Way to go, Dumb***

NORMAN --- Quarterback Rhett Bomar is one of two players who have been dismissed from the Oklahoma football team, according to several sources.

Oklahoma released a statement confirming that two players had been dismissed by the team, but did not identify them. The school said the players violated NCAA rules by working at a private business and taking "payment over an extended period of time in excess of time actually worked."
Bomar, who set an Oklahoma freshman record with 2,018 passing yards after taking over as the Sooners' starter in the second game last season, was one of the two players who had been permanently dismissed.

"We spend a considerable amount of time addressing our players regarding their personal conduct and the NCAA rules," head coach Bob Stoops said. "They know exactly what we expect from them. Ultimately, they have to make right decisions. The same holds true for our boosters. When they do not, the consequences are serious, and we will not tolerate this behavior.
"Our team and university actions are necessary because of the intentional participation and knowledge of the student athletes in these violations," Stoops said.

A top-rated recruit out of high school, Bomar redshirted his first season while 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White completed his career. Bomar lost a quarterback competition to Paul Thompson last fall, but was named the starter after the Sooners lost to TCU in the first week.
He started Oklahoma's final 11 games and completed 54 percent of his passes, while throwing 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Oklahoma finished 2005 by winning six of its final seven games, including a victory against Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.
"I firmly believe that our program is stronger than any individual player and that a championship program cannot compromise its values," Stoops said in the statement.

You know that I hate to be left out....

So I, too, have joined Weight Watchers. I am happy to report that this week I lost 2.6 pounds!!! It doesn't hurt that it is so dang hot and humid that the last thing I want to do is cook and/or eat.

FOOTBALL STARTS SEPTEMBER 11!!!

Avoid the rush and start hating TO and Dallas now. Very thoughtful of them to join up so I can hate them as a unit.

The Ultimate Chick CD

I am search of the music to compile the Ultimate Chick CD! So far I have:

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera
Man! I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain
Wicked Little High - Bird York
Walkin' After Midnight - Patsy Cline
Boogie Woogie Boy - Andrews Sisters
Full Moon Full of Love - K.D. Lang
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Respect - Aretha Franklin
You Oughta Know - Alanis Morrisett
I'm Every Woman - Chaka Kahn
Fever - Peggy Lee
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
Into the Groove - Madonna
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Every Day is a Winding Road - Sheryl Crowe.

So - what am I missing?

Shoes Found

Remember when I was asking about what to wear to the Motorcycle Benefit Ride that will end up at the dive - er- "restaurant" called Apehangers? Well, I am starting from the ground up with these shoes. The perfect match of ladylike pink with biker tattoo-ness. Onto the rest of the outfit....

AIFD Convention

OK - you really can't see it very well, but check out this chicks hair:

IT IS STRAIGHT UP! WITH A PALM FAN ON THE TOP!

She has a freakin' water bottle under there to keep it standing up and, I

am guessing, enough Aquanet to kill the Rainforest!

Here's me and Mr. Cute Man!

And here is me and Markie Doodle!

It was fun and interesting (as evidenced by that hairdo) and I am glad we got to go!

Rain, Rain Go Away

I am officially sick of the rain. It has rained practically non-stop for 4 freakin' days. Sunday we had five inches of rain. When it is not pouring down, the humidity hovers at 90% making one's glasses fog up immediately when walking outside.

We have not had any mudslides etc, but the beltway was shut down Monday, and, according to those that know these things, the Metro looks like a big sewer. Yuck. We will be staying way south of that mess!!!

Happy Lunch to You!

Did you know that a meal of regular hamburger and apple dippers from MacDonald's is only 370 calories? This made me very happy today.

Also, here is an interesting site for you nutrition-minded folk:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/index.html

Farewell Big Green Bean....

You were a faithful steed for many years, but it was time you were put to pasture. Hence the new Rav 4!!!

My new sunglasses

Just so you know, it is a cruel twist of fate that my new sunglasses came in on a day that it is RAINING.

In honor of Abby her trend setting blog:

The new favorite mascara. Makes even my stubby little lashes look good. One word of caution - the waterproof kind must be taken off with mascara remover!

Just to let you know that Steve and Bob appreciate my Mother's Day gift as well!

Johns Forrest's Graduation

I finally found the cord that goes from the camera to the computer so here are some pictures from John Forrest's graduation!

Two very cute boys!

John Forrest and Erin Dawn

Ann, John Forrest, and John Paul

Congratuations John! We love you!

Throwing down the fashion gauntlet

OK fashionistas - here is the challenge:

On August 27th (a Sunday) the Center for Children (the non-profit for which I work) is sponsoring a Motorcycle Benefit Ride. The ride will be through 3 counties and will be 70 miles long on Harley-type bikes. The ride ends at an establishment called (no, I am not kidding) Apehangers. The meal will be a pig roast out back and the entertainment will be Great Train Robbery which is a Lynard Skynard (I'm sure I misspelled that) type of band.

WHAT am I going to wear?!?!?

Left out

I am feeling quite left out of the loop since I have no cute shoes to post or great recipes. Dang.

Happy Mothers Day to Me!

I love my hammock! Goofy Bob is not sure what he thinks about it which is OK - he is way too wiggly to be in it with me for very long!

Pictures

Mimi and Theo - what a cutie he is!

Mary, Erin and Wendy

G'Pa, Erin and Papa enjoying a tody for the body

Erin and proud dad John Paul

Erin and Granny , we are going to have to start making Granny stand on a box for pics!

Erin and very proud mom Ann

What a great week-end

What a hoot that was! I think the only time I really freaked Erin out was when I saw her graduation robe and cried into her laundry that I was folding. That's pretty good for a 3 day visit! Putting the grill together was fun - even though Erin was our Doubting Thomas. She had no faith in the power of determined women. And do not let Abby's maintenance level fool you....she can take us all.

The odd things we remember

Most of this will not mean a thing to you unless you have known me for 45 years.

• When I walk up to my mail box, the crunch of the gravel sounds exactly like it did when we "walked around the mountain" at Aunt Grace and Uncle Ben's
• All motorcycle shops smell the same - even those that sell street bikes.
• I sleep with the covers pulled up over my head just like Grandma Geneva did
• No body makes Hushpuppies like Mrs. Miller did - although Bert's Diner comes very close
• Happy was not the only bulldog that could wriggle that way - they all do when you talk to them. I think that they have no idea that they are not shaped like a poodle and look really goofy doing their dance.

Just so you know

Over the week-end the big green bean (commonly referred to as my car) died. It was a sad thing, but even sadder was the fact that they were able to resuscitate it. So just in case we have to go through a painful decision at a future time: THE BIG GREEN BEAN HAS A DNR. NO MEASURES ARE TO BE TAKEN TO SEE THAT IT STARTS AGAIN. I mean the poor thing has 247,000 miles on it. It's time.

My office

Here is a picture of my office so you can see where I am all day! The wall opposite my computer is all windows which makes it nice; except when the sun comes in during the afternoon and makes me really warm and sleepy! I had my wonderful painting from my favorite sistah at home, but I like it better here where I can see it all day. Everyone loves it (as do I!).

Cooler heads prevailed so I am keeping the big green bean van. *sigh* I guess I will just have to wait a while longer to get the cool cobra trike.

My new mode of transportation

So, the big green bean has 247,000 miles on it. What do we think of this for my next "vehicle"? The one next to me has two kegs on it which would come in handy of I could fill them with Diet Coke, but I am really drawn to this one. Don't know if you can see the cobra detailing on it - there is also a button that you can push so "venom" shoots out from the front. Just the thing for a Deacon's wife!!!

Gray Day

It is a gray and rainy day and I definitely could have stayed home and slept!! Except crazy Bob would want to play so what's the point?!

Speaking of Bob, we had him groomed and he definitely looks like a wuss. They shaved him so short he looks pink because you can see his skin through his hair! They always shave his back side, and this time it is so completely shaved that Steve is righteously indignant on Bob's behalf I don't think Bob give a flying flip in reality. Remember the dog in "Neverending Story"? That's what Bob looks like.

I broke down and had to stop working at the quilt store. :( I just know that I cannot handle two jobs right now. They were so nice about it, but I really felt badly about it. That doesn't mean I still can't go in there and spend!! And Amy told me that they are getting in OSU fabric! I need to ask her about OU next time I am in.

So the golf tournament is going along - it is June 16 if you decide you want to come out and play or come out and sit on a hole! Then on July 26 we are having a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament. I am glad I am as far along with the golf tournament as I am - I know nadda about poker! I bought a "Pocket Idiot's Guide to Texas Hold 'Em" so now I know all the terminology, but I still haven't a clue how to play. Guess it really doesn't matter if I know how to play as long as everyone else does.

Love to all,

ann/mom/mimi

It has been a while....

I have been busy! Work is going wonderful - I am really enjoying it. It does cut down a lot on the quilting scene, but I am trying to sew as much as I can so I don't get out of the habit!

Steve and I went to an outlet mall Saturday that actually had David Yurman jewelry on sale. What a hoot! We of course did not buy any, but it was interesting to see this "exclusive" jewelry in an outlet mall.

Keep well!

To sleep perchance to dream....

I hope not! Last night I dreamt that Steve took me on a cruise of the Mississppi ----to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Apparently they have moved it from San Fransico. How did we get to the boat? We road our sheep of course. We had company while on the cruise; the entire Simpson family including the Denmans was onboard as well. We all played golf on board (must have been a big ship). The entertainment on board was (drumroll please) Donna and Jim Morley.

It doesn't get much stranger than that, my friends.

Good news, Bad news

Yesterday was certainly a day for it.

I am so excited for Erin and her "March Madness" of getting ready for graduation!! Seems like only yesterday I was sending her off to kindergarten (sniff sniff). This is where Erin says "Sick, Mother."

My friend Robin on the other hand had bad news. She has been diagnosed with scleroderma. Needless to say she and her family are very upset. My heart broke for her yesterday when she told me - she was so upset.

So let's rejoice with Erin and pray for healing for Robin.

The Job

I think I am going to like it - if one can tell after only a few days!!

I have had some ask me about my "finally got a job" comment. I guess what I meant was that I am no longer a "lady of leisure," but back to being a full time working girl. I must tell you - I am a way out of shape for working 8 - 5 every day! Bob and Steve seem to both be handling the change well - I on the other hand am pooped.

So what did you give up/take on for Lent? I am sending out the meditations and I am also dedicating myself to reading the Bible. I started out reading maybe 1 or 2 chapters of the New Testament every night, but it has turned into about 30-45 minutes every night. For me, that is quite a few more than a "few" chapter since I read so quickly. I am really enjoying it and hopefully gaining much from it.

Love you all!

My new job!

Well, I finally got a job! I am the new Development and Marketing Coordinator for the Center for Children in La Plata MD. It was very strange how it all came about - I went in to talk to the Executive Director about one thing and then she called and out of the blue offered me this position! Kinda surreal - But very cool! Amazing what happens when we sit down, shut up, and let God continue with His plan.

I am sending out Lenten meditations. If you want to receive them let me know and I will add you to the group list.

Love you all!

MUCH better today!

I got to go to my Storm at Sea class (very very cool), and I had Sonic TWICE. Life is good.

NOT What I expected

OK----my day has sucked.

First of all, they signed me up in the wrong class. They gave my money back etc. but I didn't get to take the mariner's Compass class.

Second: I have a horrible headache so I went over to Targe to get ibuprofin which leads me to

Third: The check engine light came on in the car so I have been sitting at the dealer's service center for most of the day. Now $300 later I am back at the hotel.

Boo.

Too excited to sleep!

You know that Disney commercial where the kids are too excited to sleep? Well, that's how my night went. Today is the day I leave for Hampton for 3 days of quilting fun! Woo Hoo! And what is more, I drive by two Sonics on the way!! That is pure excitement for this Sonic-deprived girl!

I will have my cell phone while I am there. Of course, it will be turned to silent while I am in class, but I will check it often so if you need me callme.

Love you all!

Don't say I didn't warn you....

Fla. Man Kills Roommate Over Toilet Paper
From Associated PressFebruary 21, 2006 6:18 AM EST

MOSS BLUFF, Fla. - A man accused of fatally beating his roommate with a sledgehammer and a claw hammer because there was no toilet paper in their home has been arrested.

And I bet it wasn't even snowing and he still went wacko because of no toilet paper. Please my friends and family, don't take this chance.

Bumper Stickers

What's the funniest and/or most offensive bumber sticker you have seen lately?

Today while at the grocery store I saw one that said "Old pilots never die, they just go to a different plane," which I thought was cute. Then on the way home some snit nearly killed me and on her car was all sort of Darwin walking fish with a bumber sticker that said "Born good enough the first time." For some reason, this absolutely enraged me. I wanted to drive on her bumper for the next 15 miles and shake my fist at her, a completely UN-Christian response!! Of course, I have an Episcopal shield on my back window so I thought better of the whole thing. I mean, how would that look if I am advertizing my church while behaving like a crazy woman? How bizarre that some $1.50 sticker affixed to our bumper lets everyone know sooooo much about us. Good thing I remembered mine and behaved accordingly by just driving home while shaking my head.

The strange things we cook!

Steve found this recipe in a Sam's Club catalog, of all places. He called and said that he wanted to make it and I admit that I was less than enthusiastic. Turns out, it was fabulous.

Chocolate Beef Stout Stew
Serves 4

3 TBS vegetable oil
2 ½ pounds beef bottom round roast cut into 1” pieces (or equivalent amount of stew meat)
5 medium onions peeled and cut into quarters
1 carrot (we used 2, could use more if you want)
1 quart beef stock
3 bottles Guinness® stout
6 TBS tomato paste (we just used the whole can, small size)
3 sprigs fresh thyme (1 tsp dried)
1 bay leaf
½ pound mushrooms, quartered
½ lb unsalted butter (Use only 1 stick. I can’t figure out where they thought all this butter was going)
½ cup flour
Salt and pepper
Chopped fresh parsley
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Heat 3 TBS oil in large sauté pan over high heat. When oil is hot, add beef, 3 onions, and carrot. Sauté until well browned; remove from pan, drain off fat.

Add meat and sautéed vegetables to a 1 gallon roasting pan or Dutch oven. Add stock, stout, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a boil on top of the stove.

Cover and transfer to preheated oven. Cook 1 ½ hours or until meat is tender.

In a separate roasting pan (or pie plate) season the remaining onions with salt and pepper and dot with 1 TBS butter. Roast onions for 45 minutes.

Remove stew from oven and use a slotted spoon to remove beef to bowl. Then strain the liquid into a container and discard the vegetables and herbs (We did not throw away the vegetable. We added them back in with the meat).

Over a medium high heat in a roasting pan (we used the same one we had just taken the meat out of), melt ¼ cup of butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Whisk in a quart of the reserved liquid in and simmer 3 – 4 minutes to thicken. Add the meat (and reserved vegetables) and stir in chocolate until melted.

In a sauce pan, sauté mushrooms in 1 TBS butter and add to stew with parsley.

Serve over garlic mashed potatoes and garnish with roasted onions.

What, exactly, is a nor'easter?

I can't tell you exactly. I can tell you that it dumps a load of snow on us: 8-14 inches to be semi-exact! This morning when I stopped for gas there were 15 snow plows in the parking lot of the station. Are the 15 snow plows in the entire state of Oklahoma? I worked at the quilt shop today and there were a bajillion women in to get projects just in case they are snowed in for two or three weeks. I didn't even attempt the grocery store and I am sure there is a warrant out for my arrest since I broke that particular federal law. I mean, how much toilet paper does one really need? Don't answer that...

I finished "Manhunt" and it was as fascinating as I had hoped. The author talks about a tavern where Booth and several others had, originally, planned to kidnap Lincoln. I drive by that building almost daily - there are people living there! Apparently this part of Maryland was a hotbed of Confederate espionage, as was Baltimore. The book really made me want to read more about this region and both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

Be safe and warm my friends - I love and miss "all y'all."

So what are you reading?

I have been reading - a lot.

I just finished Memoirs of a Geisha, which was OK. I got bored with the continual conflict with the other geisha and the scheming to get rid of this man in order to get that one. A while back there was an autobiography by a woman who became the first Western woman to become a Geisha. I found that much more fascinating.

Misquoting Jesus: Very deep, and very interesting. It has come up several times in our Sunday School class, so, after we are finished with our current topic, our class is going to be on that book. I am looking forward to that a great deal. I just got The Historic Jesus from a friend and plan to start it. The author is on the edge of excommunication by the Catholic Church for this book. Hmmm....

Manhunt: This is a book I cannot wait to read! It is by a leading Lincoln scholar and it is all about what happened after Booth shot Lincoln. For those of you who do not realize exactly where I am in the world, Dr. Mudd's home is 2.75 miles east of me (he is the doctor who set Booth's leg after the assassination). Pope's Creek, which is where Booth crossed the Potomac into Virginia is about 15 - 20 miles west of me. I think it is going to be a great read especially since I plan to drive the route myself. Dorky? Probably. Fascinating? You bet!

Living a Life that Matters: We are reading this in our Daughters of the King chapter. It is by the same man who wrote" When Bad Things Happen to Good People." We are reading two chapters a month and then discussing our thoughts at the meetings. Very cool to see what other people think of it and how we each interpret the message.

So, what are you reading?

"Super" Sunday

So Pittsburgh wins. That's OK - I like the coach and Jerome Bettis. Not that I watched the game. There was an interesting program on who wrote the Bible on the History Channel that I got sucked into!

Yesterday, at Adult Forum (Sunday School), I saw how intelligent discussion and disagreement takes place. It was calm, there were great pains taken to make sure that neither side offended, and both sides, while not agreeing, acknowledged the other side's position and the process that was involved in coming to that place. It was very cool. It was even better that it was at church where, it seems to me, that usually the most virulent disagreements take place. No "drawing a line in the sand" or anything so dramatic or harmful. Thanks God - I learned more from that than anything else!

I am gearing up for my big adventure to Hampton, Va. at the end of the month. Four days of sewing classes and quilt show! I know that some of you would rather stick a pencil in your eye than do this, but that's ok....I will have a blast!

Bob is weird

Bob likes to eat fruit, and I find that very odd. So far, his favorite is oranges, but he really, really likes grapes too. Apples are OK if there is nothing else around. Does anyone else find this bizarre?

Steve's Game

Friend you can't live without - Renee Bauer
Family member you can't live without - All of them but especially my husband
Celebrity whose work you can't live without - None of them
Food you can't live without - Chocolate
TV show you can't live without - Duh, American Idol, isn't that everyone's answer? No, mine is Law and Order
Movie you can't live without - Princess Bride
Game you cant live without (Video, Board, Card, etc.) - My favorite game is one Ann and I play called, "What great adventure can we come up with this weekend?' or the other favorite, "Can you make up new lyrics for this song?" Same here
Activity you can't live without - Church, and whatever the current craft of the moment is
Sport you can't live without - Football

Week-end update

Not nearly as humorous as SNL, but I will give it a go.

Friday evening Mark arrived in town. Great to see him! He has lost so much weight that Steve can no longer refer to him as "my short round friend." We went to Ruths Chris for dinner where I overindulged. WAY too much rich food, but the bread pudding was to die for!

Saturday Steve and I volunteered at the Diocesan Convention held at the National Cathedral. We collated ballots which in and of itself was not fascinating, but the rest of the meeting was very interesting. There was a resolution honoring Thurgood Marshall who was a long time (30 years) member of a parish in southeast DC. There was also the ubiquitous resolutions regarding the consecration of the gay bishop in New Hampshire. One was postponed indefinately and the other passed. Our priest did not agree with the theology of the one that passed, but I do not know the exact problems he has with it. I do plan to find out.

Steve (and, by extension, I) have been asked to take the Youth Delegation to the General Convention in late June of this year. It will be held in Columbus Ohio which we all know is Steve's old stomping ground. I do not know exactly how many youth are actually involved in the trip, but I am very excited to go to a General Convetion. I am going to a Daughters of the King Province meeting the end of May, Theo's 1st birthday is June 7, and then the trip to Ohio - Busy summer ahead!

That is all the news, my friends. I love and miss all of you!

Where I have been

bold the states you've been to, underline the states you've lived in and italicize the state you're in now...
Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C. /
Go HERE to have a form generate the HTML for you.

Help!

You know how you do something that you know is not going to be good for you, yet you do it anyway? Like eating an extra piece of cake? No, worse than that. Like having one too many drinks and then getting into a car? No, worse than that. Like running into rush hour traffic on the Beltway? THAT'S what I am talking about. What have I done? I watched Oprah again.

I think my chest is safe from perverts masquerading as bra fitters, but now I am completely freaked out about birdf flu. This is what Oprah's site says we should do to get ready:

-Stock your cabinets with enough canned goods to last four to five weeks.
-Stockpile your prescription drugs, if possible.
-Speak with city officials to make sure your community has enough chlorine on hand to purify the water, in case shipments stop coming. Many cities only keep enough chlorine on hand to last five to seven days.
-There are also many lessons we can learn from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Osterholm says. Americans need to be prepared to live without modern luxuries, and communities should have a plan to bury their dead in a timely, respectful manner.

Again, Oprah said it on her show so it must be true.

Kidding aside, this stuff is pretty scary.

Better Today!

Good news - I am in a much better mood today! Must have just been my turn and now I can pass it on.

Yesterday Bob and I drove down to Solomon's Island to go to Clipper's Canine Cafe and Nautical Boutique (is that the sound of my children gagging? Why, yes, I think it is), but darn it, they were closed. Fear not friends, the trip was not wasted! We went to Woodburn's so I could have a Betty. The Betty is the best sandwich known to man. It has shrimp, salmon, fresh tuna, and scallops on Italian bread with cheddar cheese on both sides. That way when they grill it all the stuff melts into the cheese and doesn't fall out (I know that is my sister gagging). Bob had some gourmet liver biscotti (yech) and all was good. We then drove up to Prince Frederick where I found a store that also carries the type of dog food Bob likes (cue children to roll eyes).

Today Bob went to be groomed. Much better than the last grooming. He was WAY too girly-man dog last time. I also finished knitting a ruffled scarf while I watched a movie on TV. So not horribly productive (I did do all the laundry however), but certainly not the snit I was in yeterday. I also made it to Borders and they had the book Misquoting Jesus. I will let you know what I think.

Thanks everyone for your nice coments! I needed them and they were appreciated. I get into a little pity party every now and then, and it is nice to know you love me in spite of it!

Cranky!

It is cold and wet here today and I am cranky. Not sure the reason for the crankines. Could be the weather, could be that I am bored, could be that it's just my turn!

I have been reading a blog that comments a lot about the Southern Baptist Convention and the turmoil they are experiencing within that denomination right now. Very strange to me that each denomination knows exactly what God is thinking and what He does and does not approve of. Has anyone read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis? All of this "stir" reminds me of that. And I am not talking about just SBC - I am talking about a lot of what is going on in the world right now.

Next week-end Steve and I are volunteering at the Diocesan convention to be held at the National Cathedral. We are ballot passer outers. Should be, I hope, fun and interesting. If you need something from the Cathedral let me know. I am assuming that the bookstore will be open. Yesterday during Sunday School Fr David talked about a book called Misquoting Jesus. It is about how through mistakes made (unintentionally I assume) when scribes copied manuscrpits changed the sub-text of some of the scriptures dramatically. I am going to look for it here at borders (HA!) and I will let you know what I think.

I have started reading Memiors of a Geisha and really like it. I was told that I should read the book before I see the movie. We all know how often I make it to the movies so that should not be a problem at all!!

Off on an adventure to Solomons Island with Bob. Hopefully that will put an end to my crankiness. If not I can always get glad in the same clothes I got mad in!!!

I was scared I would be Ted Kennedy or Hillary!!

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What Famous Leader Are You?
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But turns out I am Ghandi - which is also bizarre.