I'm feeling very slumpy today. Waking up sick didn't help. Do you think it's possible to have food incompatibility issues with patty-pan squash? That's the only thing I can think of that would have set me off. I've got terrible issues with green peppers, and this was pretty similar. So now I've got another squash on my kitchen counter and I have no intention of eating it. I'll send it to whoever wants it. Which reminds me of the time that someone gave me a ginormous zucchini and I didn't know what to do with it. (This was when I was living in the Treasure Valley in a subdivision.) I stuck a stamp on it and attached a post-it note saying, "Happy Give Your Neighbor a Zucchini Day!" and stuck it in my next-door neighbor's mailbox. Never heard a word about it. Go figure.
Looks like I'll be heading to California for the service when my grandmother does pass away. I'm not going without reinforcements, which is why I'm taking my father (aka, The Crazy Norwegian). Matt is in the middle of the worst-possible time of year, and I'm not sure that my mother's side of the family wouldn't try to steamroll him anyway. But ain't nobody gonna fuck with Daddy. So I have that to look forward to.
Anyway, I figured I'd leave you on a high note and tell you the dirtiest joke I know. I heard this one when I was in the second grade and didn't get it until about freshman year of high school. That was a moment...
Okay, so this woman goes into a tattoo parlor and requests the tattoo artist to etch the likeness of John Lennon on the inside of one of her upper thighs, and Paul McCartney on the other. It takes quite a while, but finally the tattoos are completed. The woman looks at them in a mirror, but can't quite decide if she is satisfied or not.
Not sure how to reassure her, the artist looks out the front door and spots a drunk slumped up against a nearby building. He grabs the guy and brings him in the shop, where the drunk finds himself looking at the woman, who is naked from the waist down.
The artist says to the man, "So what do you think? Does that look like Paul McCartney and John Lennon?"
The drunk peers at the lady and finally says, "I dunno, but the one in the middle with the bad breath sure looks like Willie Nelson."
August 31, 2004
Further Details
I know I don't often post on Tuesday mornings--I must have eaten something that didn't agree with me, because I had a bit of a rough night and am home from work this morning. I think I'll probably go in a little later.
Anyway, I talked to my aunt last night. She said that when my grandma fell and broke her hip, the entire hip socket basically shattered. The doctors say there are two options: one, they can do hip replacement surgery on an 86 year-old Alzheimer's patient who has been borderline vegetative for the last two years. Two, they can put her in a morphine coma so that she doesn't feel any pain. She also doesn't feel any need to eat or drink, and after a few days her systems start to fail and she dies. Because my grandmother left a living will, power of attorney and all kinds of consent forms, this last option is the one that is going to happen. No one in the family has a problem with that at all because it really is time for this to be over.
My question is this: why does Dr. Kevorkian take the heat for assisting his patients to commit suicide? Is this in any way, shape or form morally different?
Anyway, I talked to my aunt last night. She said that when my grandma fell and broke her hip, the entire hip socket basically shattered. The doctors say there are two options: one, they can do hip replacement surgery on an 86 year-old Alzheimer's patient who has been borderline vegetative for the last two years. Two, they can put her in a morphine coma so that she doesn't feel any pain. She also doesn't feel any need to eat or drink, and after a few days her systems start to fail and she dies. Because my grandmother left a living will, power of attorney and all kinds of consent forms, this last option is the one that is going to happen. No one in the family has a problem with that at all because it really is time for this to be over.
My question is this: why does Dr. Kevorkian take the heat for assisting his patients to commit suicide? Is this in any way, shape or form morally different?
August 30, 2004
Sheesh, What a Day...
Today was just full of good news. (Got your Sarcasm-O-Meters turned on?)
I got a phone call from my dad today saying that my grandmother fell and broke her hip. Nana has been in an Alzheimer's treatment center for the last seven years, which is about the same time that she lost pretty much all of her self-knowledge. She has no inkling who anyone is, friend or family or even nursing staff. So I guess there is some connection with physical trauma and Alzheimer's patients, and the doctors are guessing that Nana has between five and seven days left to live.
It's a mixed blessing, really. I feel like she died years ago when her mind left. Her body has been suspended on earth, and it really is just tragic. And now I'm trying to decide if I go to California if/when there is a funeral. As I have mentioned, my mother and I are irrevocably estranged by her religion. I couldn't been anything but cooly polite toward her. She'd be a gibbering booby, alternately hating me for not being a believer, and then begging me to re-establish our horrifically dysfunctional relationship.
Anyway...
I also found out today that our former neighbor is in the final stages of cancer. He's been in and out of remission for the last couple of years, but his wife says this is it. He's off all treatment and the doctors say that all they can do is try to make him more comfortable.
Peachy day. Just friggin' peachy.
I got a phone call from my dad today saying that my grandmother fell and broke her hip. Nana has been in an Alzheimer's treatment center for the last seven years, which is about the same time that she lost pretty much all of her self-knowledge. She has no inkling who anyone is, friend or family or even nursing staff. So I guess there is some connection with physical trauma and Alzheimer's patients, and the doctors are guessing that Nana has between five and seven days left to live.
It's a mixed blessing, really. I feel like she died years ago when her mind left. Her body has been suspended on earth, and it really is just tragic. And now I'm trying to decide if I go to California if/when there is a funeral. As I have mentioned, my mother and I are irrevocably estranged by her religion. I couldn't been anything but cooly polite toward her. She'd be a gibbering booby, alternately hating me for not being a believer, and then begging me to re-establish our horrifically dysfunctional relationship.
Anyway...
I also found out today that our former neighbor is in the final stages of cancer. He's been in and out of remission for the last couple of years, but his wife says this is it. He's off all treatment and the doctors say that all they can do is try to make him more comfortable.
Peachy day. Just friggin' peachy.
August 29, 2004
Who Knew?
Who knew the Greeks were such big Neil Diamond fans?
We were just watching the closing ceremony of the Olympics, and everyone in the audience, athletes, spectators, etc. turned on little flashing lights that hung (presumably on string or something) over their hearts. The lights in the stadium dimmed, and each flashing light represented the spirit of the Olympic torch that each person would carry with them for the rest of their days.
Did I see the symbolism? No. I saw E.T. sticking his knobby finger out and groaning, "Ellll...eeeee...ot." And then Neil's voice rose to a crescendo in my head:
Turn on your heart light,
Let it shine wherever you go.
Let it make a happy glow
For all the world to see...
No need to thank me for getting that song stuck in your head.
We were just watching the closing ceremony of the Olympics, and everyone in the audience, athletes, spectators, etc. turned on little flashing lights that hung (presumably on string or something) over their hearts. The lights in the stadium dimmed, and each flashing light represented the spirit of the Olympic torch that each person would carry with them for the rest of their days.
Did I see the symbolism? No. I saw E.T. sticking his knobby finger out and groaning, "Ellll...eeeee...ot." And then Neil's voice rose to a crescendo in my head:
Turn on your heart light,
Let it shine wherever you go.
Let it make a happy glow
For all the world to see...
No need to thank me for getting that song stuck in your head.
That's Just Sad
I didn't have any idea Laura Branigan died until I was looking at Google News a minute ago.
She was only 47 years old.
She was only 47 years old.
Farewell to August
I can't believe that Tuesday is the last day of August. Seems like yesterday that it was May. Summers around here fly by. Maybe that's because we have six months of winter and only three to four solid months of warm weather. The rest is just cool-ish.
Several hunting seasons begin tomorrow, which means that Matt's busy season has started. It is not out of the ordinary for him to work five ten-hour days a week and two sixteen-hour days in addition while hunting is at its peak, usually in mid-October. I don't see him around the house all that much, but it's something I've grown used to. When he and I first moved in together, I had a terrible time adjusting to his schedule. I'd come home from work and be ready to eat dinner, but wouldn't want to eat until we could eat together. After a week or two of eating at ten o'clock (and often by myself anyway), I thought I'd lose my marbles.
Other game warden wives would tell me that I'd get used to it and that he'd just be damned lucky to have a plateful of food waiting in the fridge when he got home. And I think I have, at least far more used to it than in the first few years. Good thing I didn't marry an attorney or someone starting up an internet business, huh?
Anyway, fall is nearly upon us. Tomorrow and the next day are supposed to be nice, then it will get crappy again. And guess what I heard on the radio today? *drumroll* It's supposed to snow next weekend. Yep, Labor Day weekend and snow. Yeesh...
Several hunting seasons begin tomorrow, which means that Matt's busy season has started. It is not out of the ordinary for him to work five ten-hour days a week and two sixteen-hour days in addition while hunting is at its peak, usually in mid-October. I don't see him around the house all that much, but it's something I've grown used to. When he and I first moved in together, I had a terrible time adjusting to his schedule. I'd come home from work and be ready to eat dinner, but wouldn't want to eat until we could eat together. After a week or two of eating at ten o'clock (and often by myself anyway), I thought I'd lose my marbles.
Other game warden wives would tell me that I'd get used to it and that he'd just be damned lucky to have a plateful of food waiting in the fridge when he got home. And I think I have, at least far more used to it than in the first few years. Good thing I didn't marry an attorney or someone starting up an internet business, huh?
Anyway, fall is nearly upon us. Tomorrow and the next day are supposed to be nice, then it will get crappy again. And guess what I heard on the radio today? *drumroll* It's supposed to snow next weekend. Yep, Labor Day weekend and snow. Yeesh...
August 26, 2004
Feedback
Has anyone out there ever left negative feedback for an E-Bay purchase? If so, how did it work out for you? Did you get negative feedback in return?
I bought a pair of new boots from a seller and the seller claimed that they were new. Not worn once, not new condition, but new. I tried the boots on and as I was tightening the laces, one of the lace eyelets popped right out. I looked closely at it and the metal is all tweaked out of shape like it had happened before.
I e-mailed the seller and asked them how we might resolve this, but I haven't received a response and it's been 3 days now. Any suggestions?
I bought a pair of new boots from a seller and the seller claimed that they were new. Not worn once, not new condition, but new. I tried the boots on and as I was tightening the laces, one of the lace eyelets popped right out. I looked closely at it and the metal is all tweaked out of shape like it had happened before.
I e-mailed the seller and asked them how we might resolve this, but I haven't received a response and it's been 3 days now. Any suggestions?
Big Day, Big City
Matt and I headed off to Boise this morning. He had to get a receiver hitch put on his new truck for trailer towing and stuff, and I had an appointment with my OB/GYN.
My dad picked us up at the U-Haul place while the hitch was getting installed and we hung out drinking coffee (tea in my case) at Pastry Perfection and solving all the world's ills. Ol' Dad loves it when he can hang out with his kids, and particularly loves hanging out with my husband. Matt pays attention to Dad like none of my siblings' spouses do, so he's got #1 In-Law status with Dad.
We picked up the truck and headed to CostCo, where through some amazing quirk of serendipity, Matt paid for all the grocery stuff and I got to buy fun things like new bath towels, a new bathroom rug and flaming liberal propaganda.
The next step was the doctor's office, and I could pretty much have saved myself the trip if only I could prescribe my own drugs and hormone supplements. I'm developing a theory (any lawyers out there want to start the class action suit for me?) that years on Depo-Provera have completely knocked out my brain's ability to stimulate the hormone-producing glands. You'd think most women would be grateful to not have periods, right? Well, not if you're trying to have kids. I actually accused my doctor of being a wild-eyed optimist when he insisted I do a blood pregnancy test. The kind in the box has already told me I'm not pregnant, but he says stranger things happen all the time. I told him I'd buy him dinner if he was right.
I also found out that Rita, my doctor's assistant, has cancer. She's been absent for a few months now and I finally asked him what was up. He said this is the second time she's been diagnosed and that she's in a pretty aggressive regimen of chemotherapy. I feel so badly for her. She was half the reason I was going to that doctor in the first place. I hope she'll be okay.
We finished up our day by heading to The Record Exchange, Boise's best independent music store. I buy most of my greeting cards there, and snagged several good ones today. I also picked up Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits in the used section.
*grooves* Jungle love, it's driving me mad, it's making me crazy! */groove*
My dad picked us up at the U-Haul place while the hitch was getting installed and we hung out drinking coffee (tea in my case) at Pastry Perfection and solving all the world's ills. Ol' Dad loves it when he can hang out with his kids, and particularly loves hanging out with my husband. Matt pays attention to Dad like none of my siblings' spouses do, so he's got #1 In-Law status with Dad.
We picked up the truck and headed to CostCo, where through some amazing quirk of serendipity, Matt paid for all the grocery stuff and I got to buy fun things like new bath towels, a new bathroom rug and flaming liberal propaganda.
The next step was the doctor's office, and I could pretty much have saved myself the trip if only I could prescribe my own drugs and hormone supplements. I'm developing a theory (any lawyers out there want to start the class action suit for me?) that years on Depo-Provera have completely knocked out my brain's ability to stimulate the hormone-producing glands. You'd think most women would be grateful to not have periods, right? Well, not if you're trying to have kids. I actually accused my doctor of being a wild-eyed optimist when he insisted I do a blood pregnancy test. The kind in the box has already told me I'm not pregnant, but he says stranger things happen all the time. I told him I'd buy him dinner if he was right.
I also found out that Rita, my doctor's assistant, has cancer. She's been absent for a few months now and I finally asked him what was up. He said this is the second time she's been diagnosed and that she's in a pretty aggressive regimen of chemotherapy. I feel so badly for her. She was half the reason I was going to that doctor in the first place. I hope she'll be okay.
We finished up our day by heading to The Record Exchange, Boise's best independent music store. I buy most of my greeting cards there, and snagged several good ones today. I also picked up Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits in the used section.
*grooves* Jungle love, it's driving me mad, it's making me crazy! */groove*
August 25, 2004
The List
Kalisah got me thinking when she mentioned men she'd leave her husband for. Not bad choices, either.
Matt and I have a little agreement about such things. If one of our respective celebrity loves ever offered to shack up with us for the night, we'd have a short list of five people with whom the other spouse would have to say, "Have fun, dear. I'll see you tomorrow."
Here's mine:
Karl Urban
Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train
Angelina Jolie
Sting
And last, but not least...
Sam Elliott
Eclectic, perhaps. Who's on your list?
Matt and I have a little agreement about such things. If one of our respective celebrity loves ever offered to shack up with us for the night, we'd have a short list of five people with whom the other spouse would have to say, "Have fun, dear. I'll see you tomorrow."
Here's mine:
Karl Urban
Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train
Angelina Jolie
Sting
And last, but not least...
Sam Elliott
Eclectic, perhaps. Who's on your list?
August 24, 2004
An Unpaid (as yet) Endorsement for LL Bean
I have discovered a very comfortable, flattering pair of pants: the Perfect Fit Pants from LL Bean.
My sister-in-law wears these, but is much skinnier than I am. I have a...uh...more womanly figure. (Read: extra junk in the trunk.) I avoid knit pants because they tend to ignore my proper butt and instead hug my under-butt, that pesky region around the tops of my thighs. The Perfect Fit Pants don't do that, so I highly recommend them to any of you ladies with under-butt issues.
They come in tall sizes, too!
My sister-in-law wears these, but is much skinnier than I am. I have a...uh...more womanly figure. (Read: extra junk in the trunk.) I avoid knit pants because they tend to ignore my proper butt and instead hug my under-butt, that pesky region around the tops of my thighs. The Perfect Fit Pants don't do that, so I highly recommend them to any of you ladies with under-butt issues.
They come in tall sizes, too!
Ahh, Blessed Peace
We have our house to ourselves tonight. The in-laws left this morning, so things are returning to normal around the Casa O'Connell. Did I happen to mention my in-laws are named Gene & Jeanne? I refer to them as He-Gene and She-Jeanne. I think they had a good time and we did not suffer unduly, so it can go into the successful visit column.
Having them out of the house means that I can now haul in all my E-Bay loot from my car. I operate under the principle that they really don't need to know about my E-Bay addiction. Early on in the visit, She-Jeanne had gently mocked me about an order from Payless Shoe Source that arrived on our porch via the internet. It was gym shoes for a "Sole Mates" drive the local community action program holds, which provides athletic shoes to kids in town returning to school. And she mocked me for buying poor kids shoes! Okay, she commented about how Matt needs to watch my spending on the internet. Little did she know that I had three E-Bay packages sitting in my car...
Having them out of the house means that I can now haul in all my E-Bay loot from my car. I operate under the principle that they really don't need to know about my E-Bay addiction. Early on in the visit, She-Jeanne had gently mocked me about an order from Payless Shoe Source that arrived on our porch via the internet. It was gym shoes for a "Sole Mates" drive the local community action program holds, which provides athletic shoes to kids in town returning to school. And she mocked me for buying poor kids shoes! Okay, she commented about how Matt needs to watch my spending on the internet. Little did she know that I had three E-Bay packages sitting in my car...
August 23, 2004
How Cute is This Guy?
I'm awfully happy that Jason Gatlin won the gold medal in the 100-meter. I'm just amazed his thick, curly eyelashes didn't create too much drag. That guy has the nicest eyes...
"Instead of Maurice Greene defending his Olympic 100-meter title Sunday, the quiet one of three U.S. finalists, Jason Gatlin, won in 9.85 seconds. Five men broke 10 seconds for the first time, relegating reigning world champion Kim Collins to sixth place with a 10-flat at Olympic Stadium."
"Instead of Maurice Greene defending his Olympic 100-meter title Sunday, the quiet one of three U.S. finalists, Jason Gatlin, won in 9.85 seconds. Five men broke 10 seconds for the first time, relegating reigning world champion Kim Collins to sixth place with a 10-flat at Olympic Stadium."
August 22, 2004
Interesting Site for Idaho Folks
I ran into a librarian in the woods the other day. Not literally of course (is that a pun? If so, it's a poor one), and we struck up a conversation. Turns out there's a really interesting database available for all Idahoans to use. It's located at www.lili.org, and it allows the user to search an enormous online library for an infinite variety of topics.
As I was poking around, I found ways to access national newspapers and search for articles by topic, found information about National Book Award winners and found no reference to myself in the Knight-Ridder newspaper collection database. I don't know if that last is a good thing or a bad thing.
If you're one of the Idaho area bloggers, take a look. You might find that it's a really helpful resource!
As I was poking around, I found ways to access national newspapers and search for articles by topic, found information about National Book Award winners and found no reference to myself in the Knight-Ridder newspaper collection database. I don't know if that last is a good thing or a bad thing.
If you're one of the Idaho area bloggers, take a look. You might find that it's a really helpful resource!
August 20, 2004
Movie Quotes
I was just over at Casey's site. (No, I'm not suffering from multiple personality disorder.) A mention was made of Steel Magnolias, and I thought, "I swear, Miss Truvy, I will not allow my personal misfortune to interfere with my ability to do good hair." Daryl Hannah was actually pretty enjoyable in that. Too bad Julia Roberts sucked butt (as usual).
It got me thinking about some of my other favorite quotes from movies:
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate? Monty Python & the Holy Grail
I laughed so hard I spotted. Always
I packed your angry eyes. (Mrs. Potato Head to Mr. Potato Head) Toy Story II
Anyone want to share a favorite movie quote?
It got me thinking about some of my other favorite quotes from movies:
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate? Monty Python & the Holy Grail
I laughed so hard I spotted. Always
I packed your angry eyes. (Mrs. Potato Head to Mr. Potato Head) Toy Story II
Anyone want to share a favorite movie quote?
August 19, 2004
In Laws Say the Darndest Things
My in-laws...some of the things they say just kill me. Matt's mom doesn't really reference the fact that he hasn't lived in Wisconsin for 18 years and doesn't really know any of the people he's talking about. Here's a sample conversation:
Mom: Remember the Schmelters?
Matt: No.
Mom: Well, their daughter Roberta was in a class with your sister Michele, and... yadda yadda yadda.
I think the best thing so far was when Matt asked her about her bladder control problem (shh, they'd kill me for blogging this), because Mom had an electronic device similar to a pacemaker put in surgically about 6 months ago.
Matt: How's that working for you?
Mom: Not very well. It's turned off right now.
Dad: She's got a remote control for it. Tell them about the air conditioners!
Mom (with an exasperated look toward Dad): We have new remote-control air conditioners in each room of the house and every time we turn one on, I get a jolt.
Me (thinking to self): Wonder what would happen if I hit the garage door opener right now?
Mom: Remember the Schmelters?
Matt: No.
Mom: Well, their daughter Roberta was in a class with your sister Michele, and... yadda yadda yadda.
I think the best thing so far was when Matt asked her about her bladder control problem (shh, they'd kill me for blogging this), because Mom had an electronic device similar to a pacemaker put in surgically about 6 months ago.
Matt: How's that working for you?
Mom: Not very well. It's turned off right now.
Dad: She's got a remote control for it. Tell them about the air conditioners!
Mom (with an exasperated look toward Dad): We have new remote-control air conditioners in each room of the house and every time we turn one on, I get a jolt.
Me (thinking to self): Wonder what would happen if I hit the garage door opener right now?
August 17, 2004
Talk Me Down
Boy, I just got screwed over by someone who regularly screws over lots of people. This clearly does not make me special in any way. Still, it smarts. I thought I had something good coming to me, and someone in a position of power decided I really didn't need it after all.
So remind me: good karma is its own reward, right? I'm trying to think peaceful thoughts and keep it all in perspective. It doesn't have to be about me. This person is a jerk and does things like that. I don't need to judge myself because of his own lack of regard for me, right? And the good thing is that he's rotten to everyone almost unilaterally.
I just have to remember, I'm a good person. I do good things. Karma is a wheel.
So remind me: good karma is its own reward, right? I'm trying to think peaceful thoughts and keep it all in perspective. It doesn't have to be about me. This person is a jerk and does things like that. I don't need to judge myself because of his own lack of regard for me, right? And the good thing is that he's rotten to everyone almost unilaterally.
I just have to remember, I'm a good person. I do good things. Karma is a wheel.
August 16, 2004
By the Pricking in My Thumbs...
I am flat-out rendered tonight. I have been cleaning every single surface in my house with a madness that indicates urgency, if not methamphetamine addiction. No, I haven't turned our crack house into a crack home, but something major is afoot: my in-laws will be here tomorrow for a week-long visit.
This isn't the dire news it used to be. I used to beg to get sent away on work assignments when they'd come visit before Matt and I were legally wed. Since we were living in sin, it seemed I was to be treated as a sinner. (Matt was innocent, merely led astray by my Jezebel-like ways.)
But then Reverend Van Dunston (of the Special Memory Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas) made an honest woman out of me and my treatment by Matt's parents got better. His mother and I discovered a few commonalities that allow us to have civilized conversations. His father continues to politely ignore me, but in a much more friendly fashion.
Still, I cannot have this house anything but spit and polish. Matt says I should just calm down and that they won't notice. That may well be, but I'll be thinking, "Will this be the trip where they mention that they've been performing the white glove test on my mantle and shelves?"
Stay tuned for more updates...
This isn't the dire news it used to be. I used to beg to get sent away on work assignments when they'd come visit before Matt and I were legally wed. Since we were living in sin, it seemed I was to be treated as a sinner. (Matt was innocent, merely led astray by my Jezebel-like ways.)
But then Reverend Van Dunston (of the Special Memory Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas) made an honest woman out of me and my treatment by Matt's parents got better. His mother and I discovered a few commonalities that allow us to have civilized conversations. His father continues to politely ignore me, but in a much more friendly fashion.
Still, I cannot have this house anything but spit and polish. Matt says I should just calm down and that they won't notice. That may well be, but I'll be thinking, "Will this be the trip where they mention that they've been performing the white glove test on my mantle and shelves?"
Stay tuned for more updates...
August 14, 2004
Wedding Bell Blues
Today we went to one of the more interesting weddings I've ever been to. This wedding was actually interesting weeks before it even started. We received our invitation and a small piece of paper fell out. It said, "The couple is registered at Linens 'N Things and WalMart." Anything I say about that will absolutely exceed my weekly catty quotient and I'm really not saying this to be mean. The bride and groom are nice people and I wish them the best. I just think they had a funny wedding is all.
So we got to the site, found seats, and the event got underway. The groom's 13-year old son was his best man. About five minutes into the ceremony, this kid folded like an origami crane. One minute he was standing there--the next minute he fell over like a plank. Everyone figured it was the heat of the day.
As I was sitting at the table (yes, we were seated at the dinner tables for the ceremony), I noticed that the centerpiece was a filled water goblet with a fish in it. My eyes kept wandering back and finally I realized, "That fish is belly-up." Yes, they thought of everything with the decor, right down to the dead fish in the water glass.
Anyway, I'm not exactly the Martha Stewart of weddings. Matt and I got hitched in Vegas, so we didn't really go through all the choosing of table linens and such. And I do wish this couple the best. But (hee hee) there was a dead fish on the table...
So we got to the site, found seats, and the event got underway. The groom's 13-year old son was his best man. About five minutes into the ceremony, this kid folded like an origami crane. One minute he was standing there--the next minute he fell over like a plank. Everyone figured it was the heat of the day.
As I was sitting at the table (yes, we were seated at the dinner tables for the ceremony), I noticed that the centerpiece was a filled water goblet with a fish in it. My eyes kept wandering back and finally I realized, "That fish is belly-up." Yes, they thought of everything with the decor, right down to the dead fish in the water glass.
Anyway, I'm not exactly the Martha Stewart of weddings. Matt and I got hitched in Vegas, so we didn't really go through all the choosing of table linens and such. And I do wish this couple the best. But (hee hee) there was a dead fish on the table...
August 13, 2004
I'm Hot, You're Hot, He's Hot, She's Hot
Miserable damned heat. My car registered 95 degrees on my way home from work today. Cascade is supposed to be around 7 to 10 degrees cooler than Boise, so it must be an oven down there. I flat out cannot drink enough water today.
So I think I've got it all straightened out: this is Zach, and this is Corey. Both are loads of fun and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better.
What a busy few days it has been. Here I was just complaining about having no social life... Yesterday was the girl's day, which really did turn out to be fun. Today one of my co-workers had a barbeque dinner, then I helped out the local Search & Rescue department registering people for a training session. Tomorrow we have a wedding to go to (and I'll be taking a few hours off work for that), and we're heading to the movie (The Village) Sunday night. Matt's parents show up for a weeklong visit Tuesday. I'm trying to reserve judgement on that, but if it doesn't go well you'll all be hearing about it, believe me.
So...wishing you all a good weekend and hoping that you're staying cool and well hydrated!
So I think I've got it all straightened out: this is Zach, and this is Corey. Both are loads of fun and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better.
What a busy few days it has been. Here I was just complaining about having no social life... Yesterday was the girl's day, which really did turn out to be fun. Today one of my co-workers had a barbeque dinner, then I helped out the local Search & Rescue department registering people for a training session. Tomorrow we have a wedding to go to (and I'll be taking a few hours off work for that), and we're heading to the movie (The Village) Sunday night. Matt's parents show up for a weeklong visit Tuesday. I'm trying to reserve judgement on that, but if it doesn't go well you'll all be hearing about it, believe me.
So...wishing you all a good weekend and hoping that you're staying cool and well hydrated!
August 12, 2004
Thursday, Shmursday
Looky here! Another Idaho blogger, and better yet, one who seems to share many of my political and religious opinions! I could just piddle from the excitement. Thanks for posting a comment, Corey. Hope to get to know you better.
Today is the big girlfriend get-together day. Why am I feeling so ambivalent about this? Since moving to Cascade four years ago, my nearby girlfriend quotient has dropped dramatically. I don't have seven kids and my husband doesn't beat me, so I have very little in common with many of the women in this area. (Okay, that was hyperbole, but I am a charming and fascinating person who just isn't finding a whole lot of companionship outside of my home.) So I should be excited about seeing the girls, right? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my right eye is swollen halfway shut after an allergy attack yesterday afternoon. Matt suggested I wear an eye-patch and talk in pirate speak all day. Helpful, isn't he?
I dunno...I guess I feel like several of the girls and I have grown apart in the last few years. We're lacking some commonality anymore.
It's supposed to be 104 degrees in Boise today. I'll likely wilt like a flower, don't you think?
Today is the big girlfriend get-together day. Why am I feeling so ambivalent about this? Since moving to Cascade four years ago, my nearby girlfriend quotient has dropped dramatically. I don't have seven kids and my husband doesn't beat me, so I have very little in common with many of the women in this area. (Okay, that was hyperbole, but I am a charming and fascinating person who just isn't finding a whole lot of companionship outside of my home.) So I should be excited about seeing the girls, right? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my right eye is swollen halfway shut after an allergy attack yesterday afternoon. Matt suggested I wear an eye-patch and talk in pirate speak all day. Helpful, isn't he?
I dunno...I guess I feel like several of the girls and I have grown apart in the last few years. We're lacking some commonality anymore.
It's supposed to be 104 degrees in Boise today. I'll likely wilt like a flower, don't you think?
August 11, 2004
Camping, Again
Since Tuesday is actually my Friday, what with working on the regular weekend and all, Matt and I decided to take an impromptu camping trip. We headed up into the Payette National Forest, which surrounds the town of McCall and points north.
I'd never been to Hazard Lake before. As we were leaving, my friend Julie said, "Consider the name. Y ou really want to camp there?" Julie isn't an outdoor person. Three hundred thousand acres of the Payette Forest burned during the Blackwell/Chicken Complex fires of 1994. Ten years later, things are still looking a little bombed out, but little trees are coming up all over and flowers are in abundance.
We camped at the trailhead to Scribner Lake last night. Neither of us had been there before, so we got up this morning to hike in and fish it. The lake is "a Monet"--beautiful from a distance, but up close it's a mess. It was absolutely full of weeds and I'm not sure there was a single fish in it.
Scribner Lake
I'd never been to Hazard Lake before. As we were leaving, my friend Julie said, "Consider the name. Y ou really want to camp there?" Julie isn't an outdoor person. Three hundred thousand acres of the Payette Forest burned during the Blackwell/Chicken Complex fires of 1994. Ten years later, things are still looking a little bombed out, but little trees are coming up all over and flowers are in abundance.
We camped at the trailhead to Scribner Lake last night. Neither of us had been there before, so we got up this morning to hike in and fish it. The lake is "a Monet"--beautiful from a distance, but up close it's a mess. It was absolutely full of weeds and I'm not sure there was a single fish in it.
Scribner Lake
After leaving Scribner Lake, we went to Hazard Lake and fished a while. Matt had a few solid bites, but I ran into my usual trouble. I can't tie a decent fishing knot to save my life, so after I lost a couple of lures, I turned in my fishing rod and just hung out with the dogs. We eventually wound up at Granite Lake, which is a really pretty medium-sized reservoir.
You'll likely never run into an English Springer Spaniel that doesn't like the water. That's just a gross understatement when it comes to our younger dog, Grover. I think he's part fish.
Grover Makes a Splash
You'll likely never run into an English Springer Spaniel that doesn't like the water. That's just a gross understatement when it comes to our younger dog, Grover. I think he's part fish.
Grover Makes a Splash
August 10, 2004
What a Story
A friend of mine recently attended a funeral for a young lady who died of cancer. At her funeral, they played a Hawaiian version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," a song I remember hearing at the end of the ER episode where Dr. Green dies.
Another friend mentioned that the song was performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and that the song was made even more poignant by the fact that the singer died at a young age himself. I had to put his name into Windows Media and listen to the song again, then I looked up his obituary.
Do yourself a favor--track down a copy of the song and listen, then do a little research about him.
Another friend mentioned that the song was performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and that the song was made even more poignant by the fact that the singer died at a young age himself. I had to put his name into Windows Media and listen to the song again, then I looked up his obituary.
Do yourself a favor--track down a copy of the song and listen, then do a little research about him.
August 09, 2004
Roaring Springs
I've got a girlfriend coming down to visit from Anchorage later this week. When I say coming down to visit, that means that she'll be within 85 miles of me, so of course I'll be going to see her. She and a few other girls and I all used to run around together when we all worked in the same building in Boise. We were all a little more wild and wooly in those days, and I know I was about 15 lbs. lighter.
So it was something of a surprise to me when she e-mailed us all and said, "Why don't we all go to the water park?" Why? I couldn't believe she asked why. How about:
Because the elastic in my swimsuit bottom no longer clings to my bottom.
Because it costs $23 to get into the park and no one will ride the slides with me.
Because the rest of you have small children and I don't want to hang out in a urine-soaked kiddie pool all day.
But you know, I didn't say a word. I figured I could hack it for my dear friend who I only get to see once a year or so. And you know what? Someone else spoke up instead and now we're just having a barbeque instead. Praise Jaysus! Say 'hallelujah'! And pass the potato salad.
So it was something of a surprise to me when she e-mailed us all and said, "Why don't we all go to the water park?" Why? I couldn't believe she asked why. How about:
Because the elastic in my swimsuit bottom no longer clings to my bottom.
Because it costs $23 to get into the park and no one will ride the slides with me.
Because the rest of you have small children and I don't want to hang out in a urine-soaked kiddie pool all day.
But you know, I didn't say a word. I figured I could hack it for my dear friend who I only get to see once a year or so. And you know what? Someone else spoke up instead and now we're just having a barbeque instead. Praise Jaysus! Say 'hallelujah'! And pass the potato salad.
The Most Romantic Story of All Time
Matt bought me "Cold Mountain" on DVD the other day. I have now read the book once and seen the movie twice, and I'd say that qualifies me to judge it the most romantic story I've ever known.
It just kills me. Every time... Each time I watch it I'm hoping that somehow Inman is going to...well, I'd probably better not spoil it for anyone who may not have seen it yet.
Anyone care to post what they think the most romantic movie of all time is? (In those rare cases where you don't agree with me 100%.)
It just kills me. Every time... Each time I watch it I'm hoping that somehow Inman is going to...well, I'd probably better not spoil it for anyone who may not have seen it yet.
Anyone care to post what they think the most romantic movie of all time is? (In those rare cases where you don't agree with me 100%.)
August 07, 2004
*Beam* :-D
You all remember the grassroots movement to send wedding bouquets to gay couples getting married in San Fransisco? Well, there's a guy making a movie about it.
Gives me a warm fuzzy, I tell ya. Shamlessly pilfered from Erica.
Gives me a warm fuzzy, I tell ya. Shamlessly pilfered from Erica.
Mrs. Michael Jackson
I just spent more time than I should have watching part of VH1's "Man in the Mirror," a special about the life of Michael Jackson. Apparently the actor playing Michael didn't want to go through the painful surgery of having his nose disappear, because he's got a notably larger proboscis than the real Michael Jackson currently does.
What sucked me in to the show was a reference made to the Jehovah's Witnesses, which I was a member of for the first 21 years of my life. When I was nine years old and MJ's album "Thriller" was at the apex of it's chart climb, I was dead-level certain that I was going to marry him one day. I mean, we were both Jehovah's Witnesses, right? What more could two people need in order to have a successful marriage? That was my theory at age nine, and is still the theory of JW's the world over. As long as you have your faith, it doesn't matter how bad your other problems are. God (aka, Jehovah) will take care of it all for you. Cancer? No problem! Even if you die, Jehovah will resurrect you after he gets done killing off all the bad people. I was seven years old when my mother told me that God was going to kill my non-believing father. Not a cool way to grow up, so it's not really a surprise to me that Michael Jackson turned to a fantasy world of his own creation after living in a fantasy world of someone else's creation for so long.
Anyway, you've probably realized by now that I'm not married, nor have I ever been, to Michael Jackson. Boy howdy, did I dodge a bullet there...
What sucked me in to the show was a reference made to the Jehovah's Witnesses, which I was a member of for the first 21 years of my life. When I was nine years old and MJ's album "Thriller" was at the apex of it's chart climb, I was dead-level certain that I was going to marry him one day. I mean, we were both Jehovah's Witnesses, right? What more could two people need in order to have a successful marriage? That was my theory at age nine, and is still the theory of JW's the world over. As long as you have your faith, it doesn't matter how bad your other problems are. God (aka, Jehovah) will take care of it all for you. Cancer? No problem! Even if you die, Jehovah will resurrect you after he gets done killing off all the bad people. I was seven years old when my mother told me that God was going to kill my non-believing father. Not a cool way to grow up, so it's not really a surprise to me that Michael Jackson turned to a fantasy world of his own creation after living in a fantasy world of someone else's creation for so long.
Anyway, you've probably realized by now that I'm not married, nor have I ever been, to Michael Jackson. Boy howdy, did I dodge a bullet there...
August 06, 2004
A Little Poem for You All
A poem of Bushisms put together by a Washington Post writer. http://www.snopes.com/politics/bush/piehigher.asp
MAKE THE PIE HIGHERby George W. Bush
I think we all agree, the past is over.
This is still a dangerous world.
It's a world of madmen and uncertainty
and potential mental losses.
Rarely is the question asked
Is our children learning?
Will the highways of the Internet become more few?
How many hands have I shaked?
They misunderestimate me.
I am a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity.
I know that the human being and the fish can coexist.
Families is where our nation finds hope, where our wings take dream.
Put food on your family!
Knock down the tollbooth!
Vulcanize society!
Make the pie higher! Make the pie higher!
MAKE THE PIE HIGHERby George W. Bush
I think we all agree, the past is over.
This is still a dangerous world.
It's a world of madmen and uncertainty
and potential mental losses.
Rarely is the question asked
Is our children learning?
Will the highways of the Internet become more few?
How many hands have I shaked?
They misunderestimate me.
I am a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity.
I know that the human being and the fish can coexist.
Families is where our nation finds hope, where our wings take dream.
Put food on your family!
Knock down the tollbooth!
Vulcanize society!
Make the pie higher! Make the pie higher!
*Cry*
Things were just getting interesting between Adam Levine (from Maroon 5) and I when my alarm went off this morning. Life is so damned unfair!
August 05, 2004
My New TV Thrill
Is anyone else watching Bravo's Things I Hate About You? It's kind of a reality/game show where they take a couple who have been together for a while, and then videotape them going about their days. Each person in the couple identifies several things that drive them up a wall about their mate, it all gets taped, and then it's reviewed by a panel of judges who gets to decide who the more annoying person in the couple is. Fascinating stuff, and Matt and I keep identifying with different people on the show. I yell at other drivers in traffic and often "shoot the bird" out my sunroof (it's so annoying and painful when I forget that the sunroof isn't open). He tends to talk in a goofy little language that is often funny, but is also often annoying.
Anyway, they had this one lady on there last week that drove me crazy. Her big thing was putting Splenda on damn near everything she ate. I'm talking salads here, people. She'd reach into her purse, whip out two or three packages, and dump them all over a chicken caeser. *hork* In one scene, she noticed a waiter looking at her out of the corner of his eye and she confronted him and said, "Hey, it's what I like. What's that saying...don't yuck my yum?" I'm sorry, but what the fuck saying is that? I've never heard it in my life. I think it was something her nutjob little pea brain came up with to justify a truly bizzare compulsion. Don't yuck my...I'll yuck your! Freak!!!
Anyway, they had this one lady on there last week that drove me crazy. Her big thing was putting Splenda on damn near everything she ate. I'm talking salads here, people. She'd reach into her purse, whip out two or three packages, and dump them all over a chicken caeser. *hork* In one scene, she noticed a waiter looking at her out of the corner of his eye and she confronted him and said, "Hey, it's what I like. What's that saying...don't yuck my yum?" I'm sorry, but what the fuck saying is that? I've never heard it in my life. I think it was something her nutjob little pea brain came up with to justify a truly bizzare compulsion. Don't yuck my...I'll yuck your! Freak!!!
I Shalt Too Covet
This is one of my favorite skin designs ever. No surprise that it was done by one of the talented girls over at Blog Moxie. I can't wait until I can afford to have Mel do another design for me. I'm so happy with the one that I currently have, but I am starting to think it's time for a change. Something autumnal, perhaps?
August 04, 2004
Wednesday Ramblings
I'm home with the dogs for the next couple of days while Matt is at the Idaho Conservation Officer's Association annual meeting. I let him take my car, which gets much better gas mileage than his Nissan Frontier pickup. He called me from Twin Falls about an hour ago and said, "Guess what I did?" I was thinking my car was wrecked, since I couldn't make heads or tails out of his tone. I gave up quickly and he said, "I bought a Titan!" A Titan is Nissan's new full-size pickup, and the thing that Matthew most covets in the whole, wide world. He was planning on stopping at the dealership, that I knew, but I had no idea he'd end up with a new truck, particularly since his Frontier is sitting in our driveway. My first reaction was, "What did you do with my car?" My little baby car is going to sit at the auto dealer while Matt drives his new truck to the three-day meeting (in Jackpot, Nevada, which is why I chose to stay home--108 degrees and me don't mix). Matt will then stop in Twin Falls on his way home, switch vehicles at the dealership, and drive mine home. Then he'll drive his "old" truck to Boise, replace the windshield as promised to the dealer, and switch trucks again in Twin Falls. Complicated, eh? And the only bad part of all of it was at the end of the conversation when he said, "Thanks for not being mean to me about it." Wha? I can't figure out why he'd think I would be mean about it--his payments are going to be less on the new, full-size truck than they are on the smaller one. That's not a problem. He's only been talking about getting a Titan since they first came out. I don't get it...
Grover's ears seem to be getting a little better. He doesn't seem as uncomfortable as he was a few days ago. I get to try giving him his ear medicine tonight. Bleah.
Not much else going on. If I'm quiet, it's because my friggin' internet connection/modem/karma is going bad and I'm having a hell of a time staying online.
Grover's ears seem to be getting a little better. He doesn't seem as uncomfortable as he was a few days ago. I get to try giving him his ear medicine tonight. Bleah.
Not much else going on. If I'm quiet, it's because my friggin' internet connection/modem/karma is going bad and I'm having a hell of a time staying online.
August 02, 2004
Day Ten: All the Way Home
(I decided to just go ahead and post Day Ten, since it's a quick one and then we'll be all wrapped up.)
We woke up rather late on Day Ten (7:00, which is pretty late considering the birds and squirrels had been up for hours already). We broke camp and headed across the rest of Oregon. I know I mentioned it before, but there's really nothing good to see along this route besides the Shoe Tree.
We hit Boise around noon and did some quick grocery shopping and then met my dad after lunch. Dad's birthday was on the 20th, and so we were on the road and didn't get to celebrate with him. I had, however, found a great present for him in Port Orford, Oregon early in the trip. My paternal grandfather was full-blooded Norwegian and my grandmother was about 3/4. My dad has anger management problems, and so that's why I bought him a t-shirt from the restaurant pictured below:
A Crazy Norwegian at The Crazy Norwegian's
He loved it. We hit Highway 55 and made it back to Home Sweet Home at early evening. The dogs had had a wonderful time with the dog-sitter, who taught them to ride in both a canoe and a sea kayak. Two springer spaniels and a sea kayak sounds like a recipe for disaster to me, but she said they only tipped her once.
In summary, our vacation was really memorable and provided us the relaxation we really needed. I hope you guys liked hearing about it and that it wasn't like your Uncle Biff's vacation slide shows when you were growing up. Maybe it gave you a few ideas for a trip of your own!
We woke up rather late on Day Ten (7:00, which is pretty late considering the birds and squirrels had been up for hours already). We broke camp and headed across the rest of Oregon. I know I mentioned it before, but there's really nothing good to see along this route besides the Shoe Tree.
We hit Boise around noon and did some quick grocery shopping and then met my dad after lunch. Dad's birthday was on the 20th, and so we were on the road and didn't get to celebrate with him. I had, however, found a great present for him in Port Orford, Oregon early in the trip. My paternal grandfather was full-blooded Norwegian and my grandmother was about 3/4. My dad has anger management problems, and so that's why I bought him a t-shirt from the restaurant pictured below:
A Crazy Norwegian at The Crazy Norwegian's
He loved it. We hit Highway 55 and made it back to Home Sweet Home at early evening. The dogs had had a wonderful time with the dog-sitter, who taught them to ride in both a canoe and a sea kayak. Two springer spaniels and a sea kayak sounds like a recipe for disaster to me, but she said they only tipped her once.
In summary, our vacation was really memorable and provided us the relaxation we really needed. I hope you guys liked hearing about it and that it wasn't like your Uncle Biff's vacation slide shows when you were growing up. Maybe it gave you a few ideas for a trip of your own!
Day Nine: The Road to Home
We bid a fond goodbye to Lassen NP on the morning of Day Nine. Sadly, there really wasn't a lodge to speak of, so we were forced to eat granola and yogurt for breakfast at our campsite. The drive through northeastern California was nice for a while--you could see both Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak from a number of vantages and there were some cute little timber towns along the route that reminded me a lot of Cascade.
We hit ranch country about midday and found ourselves in the town of Bieber, California. It's a very small, unscenic town. The only thing that makes it notable is its sister-town about six miles away: Nubieber. That's right, not "New Bieber," but "Nubieber." I guess they thought the first one was so good that they needed a nu-er version. We had rollicksome fun making Bieber remarks. Sample conversation:
Casey: What do you think the Bieber Joint School District mascot is?
Matt: The Beavers.
Casey: I wonder if when the towns finally grow together they'll call it Bieberopolis.
Matt: Maybe once it reaches perfection they'll call it Biebertopia.
We subsequently went through the town of Lakeview, Oregon, which appears to be at least 200 miles from anywhere else, including the Biebers. There's a sawmill there, some farms, lots of hayfields, and a Forest Service and BLM office. But I just can't fathom how far they are from a CostCo. I thought Cascade was isolated.
The rest of the drive through Oregon was ugly and uninteresting. We made it to Burns that night and decided to drive north of town to a campsite Rand McNally showed in the atlas. We were very pleasantly surprised at how nice it is, considering what an armpit Burns is. Our second-to-last picture of the trip shows my little car (a Toyota Matrix, if you were wondering) parked in front of our campsite. We had a great hike that night after dinner and felt a little sad at spending our last night sleeping in the tent, believe it or not.
The Weary Road Wagon
We hit ranch country about midday and found ourselves in the town of Bieber, California. It's a very small, unscenic town. The only thing that makes it notable is its sister-town about six miles away: Nubieber. That's right, not "New Bieber," but "Nubieber." I guess they thought the first one was so good that they needed a nu-er version. We had rollicksome fun making Bieber remarks. Sample conversation:
Casey: What do you think the Bieber Joint School District mascot is?
Matt: The Beavers.
Casey: I wonder if when the towns finally grow together they'll call it Bieberopolis.
Matt: Maybe once it reaches perfection they'll call it Biebertopia.
We subsequently went through the town of Lakeview, Oregon, which appears to be at least 200 miles from anywhere else, including the Biebers. There's a sawmill there, some farms, lots of hayfields, and a Forest Service and BLM office. But I just can't fathom how far they are from a CostCo. I thought Cascade was isolated.
The rest of the drive through Oregon was ugly and uninteresting. We made it to Burns that night and decided to drive north of town to a campsite Rand McNally showed in the atlas. We were very pleasantly surprised at how nice it is, considering what an armpit Burns is. Our second-to-last picture of the trip shows my little car (a Toyota Matrix, if you were wondering) parked in front of our campsite. We had a great hike that night after dinner and felt a little sad at spending our last night sleeping in the tent, believe it or not.
The Weary Road Wagon
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