Finally Finished

Finished Reversible Errors by Scott Turow the other night. It took me a while. While it wasn't a huge book, it was on the dense side at times. I enjoyed it.

Plot:

A grisly murder took place in the early 90's. The police fingered a man, got him convicted and he is getting ready to be executed. A lawyer is hired by the government to look into the case for his final appeals. From there the book is about the discoveries that will lead them to find if this is the real murderer or not. Lots of twists and turns and some surprises.

Now I'm reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I saw a book on my bookshelf that has 4 different Dickens books inside and I decided now was as good as ever to read this story. I have seen the movies many times but never got around to the book. So far it is good. It isn't easy being it's Dickens, but the descriptions are really great. Describing the chains attached to Scrooges partner and the sounds that they make. And bringing out Scrooges not-so-rosey personality. I think I am going to enjoy it. Will let you know later.

Turkey Day Debriefing

Thanksgiving was a very nice day.

Hubby and I got up at a good time (not because we woke up but because the children in the apartment next door were wrestling (what sounded like that) and making lots of noise.
Had a small breakfast and read the paper and the 10,000 ads. Then exercised to make room for the days bountiful meal later that day.
Went and visited my father-in-law, he was at the jewelry store setting up for the weekends big sale. Got looks at a $50,000+ diamond ring, $50,000+ Burmese ruby and diamond necklace and a similarly priced tanzinite and diamond necklace. Anyone who is thinking about buying something like that for their sweetie for Christmas or Hanukkah let me know.

Then it was back home to pick up the pumpkin pies that my friend Glen made and off to my sister's in-laws for dinner.
There was of course tons of food and you didn't know where to begin. Everything from turkey of course, 2 types of stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, rolls, sweet potatoes, corn pudding-like dish and an onion dish. Then of course there was pumpkin and apple pie. So we were happily full at the end.

Hubby went to visit with his parents and he ended up chowing some over there because so many of his traditional Hungarian treats were there.

Back at the in-laws we played cards and chatted and had a good ole' time. I am happy to report that I actually won a game a cards. They say it's because I was keeping score...

Then back home.

Happy belated turkey day to all. I am off tomorrow to Jacksonville to enjoy some time with my sisters and the rest of the family. And to watch, hopefully, the Bucs beat the Jaguars Sunday night.

Oh, and an update, my mom's brother is doing much better after his heart surgery. There were some close calls but he seems to be improving. Thanks for all your prayers and we ask for continued prayers, he still has ways to go.

Politically Correctness Runs Amuck!

Was scrolling to CNN.com today when I saw this headline:
'Master' and 'slave' computer labels unacceptable, officials say

Some person in LA saw some electrical equipment with the master and slave labels on them. And they were offended and filed a discrimination suite.

So now you can no longer use the term master or slave without risking offending someone. Even with it has nothing to do with people but inadimite objects. Most often you see the terms used in computer equipment and refers to the primary and secondary hard drives, one being a slave to the other. And now these electronic manufactures have to spend a lot of money to change labels and to reliable other things. Some people just are taking this political correctness thing a little too far. So maybe Britney Spears should take out the word "Slave" in her "I'm a Slave For You."
And in Les Miserable the Master of the House song should be out.

When will it end?

You can read the story here:

Master/Slave Story

NASCARS Beginnings

We were watching the History Channel, I think, or the National Geographic channel, one of those. And it was talking about the origins of NASCAR.

It seems it all started in Georgia, big surprise, with guys who were running moon shine from the law. They got pretty good at driving fast and as in good ole' boy fashion, they would sit on their porches bragging about how they out ran the law. Next thing you know they are racing each other through corn fields to see who was faster. Next thing they are going round and round in circles on a track trying to prove who was the faster driver. And all of this started with moonshine. They were saying its the part of NASCAR history they don't like too much to talk about. I don't know why. It's really cool and it just proves that it got started by some true good ol' boys. Now it's just good ol' boys and girls with more money and still lots of booze.

I just thought it was an interesting tidbit that I would share.

Back to Work...

Here I am at work again. It's a short week luckily, but I still have to get in 5 days of work in that time. My stuff still runs holiday or not.

Weekend was nice. Spent time with friends and family. Went shopping and got a good amount of stuff bought..not much left to do in that department. But there's still all the other stuff that comes with the holiday. Got the Christmas cards out and made my list to make sure I have the addresses and everything else. I have to get those going. And then there is the issue of my completely sloppy home. It is a mess! I seriously need to work on that.

I need to stop and catch a bite to eat..chat with you later.

Sounds of Silence on Sarah Says

Well, it looks like either no one likes Simon & Garfunkel, or more probable, no one is reading Sarah Says :-(


But that's OK, I will go on, just to hear myself type really.

I'm off to start my Christmas shopping. We are going up to Jacksonvill enext weekend and I want to take along all of the gifts for my sister and bro-in-law so I don't have to ship them. So I have made my list and checked it twice, I'll decide if they were naughty or nice, which with Laura, I suppose it may be been naughty :-).

I can't believe the holidays are here already..just seemed like yesterday it was the 4th of July. Not that I want it to be hot like that again...just enjoying the comforts of Florida in the Fall.

So off I go...wish me luck!

Sounds of Silence...

If you haven't been about able to tell by some of my headlines and some of the sayings I am using this week I have been listening to Simon and Garfunkel this week. I can't help it, they are just so good. I am bummed, as I know my mom and dad are that we/they won't be attending the Old Friends tour when it comes to Tampa next month. So I must just listen to their music. I only have one CD Simon & Garfunkel - Greatest Hits. It's not that long, but has a nice selection.

Q. So, do you dig Simon & Garfunkel too? And if so, what songs do you find groovy? I love I am a Rock, and Sounds of Silence....Among others, it is SO hard to choose!

Great New Word:

In an e-mail the word Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia popped up. You will never guess what it is the phobia is of..
long words! Check out a definition -->
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - Wiktionary

Say A Little Prayer for Him..

I wanted to offer up a prayer for my mom's oldest brother Mike. Today he is undergoing open heart surgery in Indiana. May God watch over him.

Nothing to See Here, Time to Move Along.

Just feeling kinda enh today. Just finished a piece of cheese cake celebrating a birthday at work and I am ready for a nap. I know there's lots going on in the world today. The Michael Jackson thingy (ew! and imagine him in jail without makeup? ew!), the conflicts in the middle east, the gay marriage debate, a little more than 1 month of shopping days until Christmas, blah, blah blah, blah. Just enh.

Another Day..Another Biz Staffer Gone...

With a heavy heart I have to annouce that friend and co-worker and desk mate, Andrew Meadows has decided to leave for greener or shall I say oranger pastures. He is a new PR (or flak as we in the news biz call them) for the Florida Department of Citrus. He gets a big raise and lots of new challenges. We wish him well, but we can't say that we aren't bummed.

Apple Bottoms

Ok, so I was watching either MTV or VHI (I think it was VH1 because I love the 80's Strikes Back was on first) and a show called Nelly's Search for Apple Bottoms came on. I guess there is a new clothing line that he is head of designed for women who are amply endowed in the rear end area. It was a show to find the women who would be the lines model. Lots of men oogeling women in tiny clothes. I don't know why I watched it to tell you the truth..but I couldn't look away.

Back..kinda

I spent yesterday at home sick. It went like this mostly...

Got up and called in sick about 8:30.
Drank a nice cup of tea and talked with hubby because I knew he wouldn't be home until after 10 p.m. again.
Layed in bed...layed in bed some more and blew my nose. Tried to comprehend this weeks West Wing that I had taped the night before. Being half loopy on drugs makes understanding the show even harder than normal.
Ate something about 1 ish.
Slept off and on until about 4:15.
Watched the end of Oprah.
Snoozed until about 6.
Got up to eat (made pancakes).
Layed on the couch until 10, reading occaisionally and drifting off occaisionally.
Went back to bed. Watched ER, kinda. Read a little.
11 p.m., took generic niquil and went to sleep.

Very exciting. But effective. I am feeling better than yesterday, tired, but better.

Blah

I seem to have caught a cold. My nose is running and my head is sore. Have to get lots done today though...blah!

Happy Birthday to You!

A BIG happy birthday to my mom! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy birthday to YOOUUU! Happy Birthday to Yoouu! Happy Birthday to my Mom! Happy Birthday to you!

And Yes! Tonight you can open you gifts! :-)

Thanks

Just wanted to wish everyone a pleasant Veteran's Day. I want to thank anyone who has put his or her life on the line so that we can continue to be free here in America. I appreciate all you have done.

Somewhere over the rainbow...

I am very excited. I have been invited to attend an upcoming showing of a Sing-a-Long of the Wizard of Oz at the wonderful and fantastic Tampa Theater. I shall have to start brushing up on the songs, although I have to say I do know every song pretty much by heart.

"We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!"

What Does it Mean?

What does it mean when you dream you are a little boy in pioneer times?

Just one of the bizarre dreams I had last night.

4-day School Weeks?

Ok, I know this article takes place in Kentucky (and 10 other states), but it still scares me. In order to save money some school districts are shaving a day off the school week. It seems like the school boards have no clue what they are doing any more. The school days are extended by 30 minutes at the end of the day and eight Mondays they are in session. So American kids need less school? Especially with all these standardized tests in so many states. And what are parents who work supposed to do with younger children? Especially ones who can't afford more child care? So there will be more children wandering around with no supervision?

You can find the CNN story here --->
CNN.com - Cash-strapped schools going to four-day week - Nov. 7, 2003

Happy Birthday to You!!!

Here's a BIG Happy Birthday out to my dad. Here's wishes of having a great birthday and many MANY more!

"Happy birthday to Youuu! Happy Birthday to You!!! Happy Birthday to My Dad!
Happy Birthday to Youuuuuu!"

"Do You Hear the People Sing?"

I got the urge to listen to Les Miserables last night, the original London cast from 1985 of course. It is one of my favorite musicals. The passion, emotion and the singing, you can't help but sing along. I drove into work listening to it too. With the new speakers in my car is sounds really cool. I will be singing songs in my head all day, and I can see that I might be swaying every now and then cause I'm getting into it.

"He slept a summer by my side...and filled my head with endless wonder.."

Ok Eww!

Just read a story about a clothing-optional restaurant in Key West called Naked Lunch. You can go and in take your clothes off and eat a burger. Oh my, so EWW! And the people working there, naked! (Not the chef I guess, but the bartender and the wait staff.) People sitting on chairs, NAKED! And I guess the majority of the patrons are older too! 40's-60's. So older naked people!! EWWWWWWWWWWWW!!

From Cheese to Pancakes

Dave and his very complimentary spouse Britt seem to have gotten a little food poisoning from eating at I-Hop over the weekend. Sister Chef says most likely it had to do with some cross contamination, with some meat or something.

This set off a range of pancake songs. I have to say I love breakfast foods. So it's not too hard to come up with songs like:

­­­ when you're feeling hungry...
... for breakfast food ...
... what ya gonna eat?
... hot pancakes!

­­­ Pancakes are tasty ... pancakes are fun ... if you don't eat a pancake
... your breakfast isn't done!

Pankcakes...sticky, warm and buttery pancakes, I love the way they are...

It's a pancake life for me it's a pancake life for me! Instead of cereal we get pancakes, instead of waffles it's pancakes I-I crave...it's a pancake life!

There's others...but I sent them yesterday and I can't remember what I wrote...but you get the idea...Pancakes are yummy! I don't know if as yummy as cheese, but up there! Especially the ones my mom makes...she's really talented in breakfast making department.

Oh, How I Love My Cheeses!

I finally cracked open the wonderful small wheel of New England Aged Cheddar my lil'l sis. Laura gave me. It was wonderful. I don't know if I have ever had a better cheddar. It even came with that fancy wax coating. I LOVE cheese and stuff like this makes me wish I could afford to buy the better stuff. You just savor it as it melts in your mouth. MMM! This a cheese you eat with wine. (Although I'm not too picky, I eat about anything with the wine!)

So I got back to the cheese song from Anamaniacs:
"Oh, how I love my cheeses, cheese from around the world. Cheese that pleases, cheese from around the world!" I actually started singing this as I munched that cheese last night. :-)

Happy Monday Folks-I Guess

I am so sleepy today. It seems that at the time I have to get up recently that I am in that really deep sleep mode and it is so hard for me to get up. And then I am yawning all day. I am sure the overcast and off and on rainy conditions can't be helpful. But it could be that I would just rather be a home cuddled up under a blanket in bed taking a nap.