Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Too Much To Do

I've got to sort out what I really need to get done today. There's quite a bit and I don't know if I'll be able to do it all.

1. I need to write a review on this really awesome Irish children's album. Must do it tonight.

2. A cleaning project I started over the weekend that I semi-finished over the weekend.

3. A possible trip to the store for shitty cat litter.

4. I'd like to get in a workout because one night this week I need to go to Target for some things for the house.

5. Cleaning of Shitty Cat boxes (how could I forget that?)

If only I could get some of this done quickly, but I doubt that. Exercise is at least an hour and 30 minutes for the store.

~sigh~

Why don't I have a 4 day week? Huh? HUH? HUH!!!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Cat Feathers

I know you are probably looking at those words and thinking, Andrea has lost her mind, but my kitty Mutchka has cat feathers.

See a few weeks ago he jumped on the table without us knowing and spilled a cup of ginger ale and decided to lay down in it.

Two words there "DUMB ASS"

I tried to wipe him clean with a soapy wash cloth but I decided I wanted to keep most of my blood inside me.

I asked a friend who volunteers and fosters animals for a Pittsburgh Shelter what I could do. She's suggested baby wipes. So far its cleaning him up a bit, but I guess until he rips out all the matted fur himself, hence the cat feathers, he's going to look like a nappy cat.

Unless someone volunteers to bathe him. If so I would suggest protective gear. He may be a 15 year old kitty, but he's strong and when pissed, well he's REALLY STRONG!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Nice Day

My brother came home for a visit today for Father's Day and to drop off my B-day present. Yay money! But we had a lovely visit. I passed off some cookbooks to his wife, that mom doesn't need anymore. I rationalized to mom that Southern Living Annuals have "Fancy Schmancy" recipes when we are more an "Easy Peasy" household. So off a bunch of them went! Yay!

We went to River House Cafe in downtown Charleroi On Mon. If you are ever in our fair hamlet, its worth it to stop there for lunch or dinner. I had Chicken Cordon Bleu and it was fantastic, my side was garlic mashed potatoes, which were probably some of the nommy-est potatoes I've had in a long time. Washed it down with a Sam Adams, and I'm a happy girl.

I even managed to get some cleaning done this weekend which really made me happy. A trip or two to Target over the next month and the house will start looking so much better again. That's something I never thought I'd say, at least not in the last few years.

All in all it was a really awesome weekend.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Hot New Fun Country

I fell in love with the band Gloriana a few months ago when I heard their first single Wild At Heart and now there song The Way It Goes has a video.

They are more country pop than real country. Great harmonies and really good voices too.

Take a look at the new video. BTW the blonde in the band is Cheyenne Kimball who had a show on Mtv a few years back. She's much better at country than she is at Rock N' Roll. Go figure.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Top 5 On Friday: Week 228

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 musicians that the years haven't been kind to.

1. Keith Richards: Oye vey! This man should not be alive and he looks like he's been almost dead for a very long time. Children, repeat after me; DRUGS ARE BAD!!!


2. Simon LeBon: Once a hunk...now he's so not! This photo is downright embarrassing. He's the king of yoyo syndrome dieting too



3. Madonna: This once cute slutty singer is now simply a hag, no ifs ands or buts about it.



4.Micky Dolenz: A little paunch and some hair loss and generally not the cute Monkee he once was. He looks more like a dirty old man now.




5. Van Morrison: I can only say, the years hated this man and sob at how pretty he once was.

Sad Day

I might as well chime in on the recent celebrity deaths:

1. Ed MacMahon: No one will forget Johnny Carson's sidekick. Will he be remembered for anything else? Well that remains to be seen. Did he do anything before Carson? Gosh I can't even remember hearing and for my life at least that's all he did.

2. Farrah Fawcett: My brother had the infamous POSTER. I know he's probably at his home in Ohio feeling a little bit sad. She was quite the actress and she had that special something too. I think it was the hair. She fought a brave fight with cancer. She will certainly be missed.

3. Michael (whacko jacko) Jackson: Never was my favorite singer. I owned only a copy of Thriller because it was the thing to have. His death was a total surprise, but in a way, not. How can you not expect someone like him to die young? He went from being a cute black boy into a white man. Plus all the scandals had to add stress. So his passing was a surprise and yet it wasn't. He did produce some wonderful music in his time on earth and for that I hope he'll be remembered more for, than the scandals.

RIP

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Yay Books

I had the nicest thing happen to me the other day. I was asking for recommendations for summer reading on a livejournal romance book community and I got a response from a Silhouette Nocturne author asking me if I had read her books and if I had any of her early ones.

She sent me the link to her website and I checked out all the books she had written and then emailed her from her website.

Well guess what?

She offered to send me the 3 books I hadn't read!

Woot!

That was nice and now I have 3 books for my summer reading pile that I didn't know I was going to have. Now to find some time to read them when they get here!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Halfway There!

This is a distinctly, "Yay its Wednesday" post.

Why?

Because this week is turning out to be obnoxious. Not bad, mind you, OB-Freaking-NOXIOUS!

There's a little too much togetherness in some parts of my life right now and I can't stand it. Its getting oppressive.

Its also making part of my day drag.

So when Friday comes around this week I'll be very happy in some ways, in some ways I won't be. I mean there's one more week until my 35th b-day and since I doubt I'm going to get showered with too many gifts this year, I don't really care. However if you want to buy me a little cheap something off my Amazon Wishlist, who am I to stop you!

Let's just hope the rest of the week goes by quickly, m'kay?

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I Can't Believe I Didn't Know

I was trolling around Amazon the other day when I found this in the New Releases section! A new Cheap Trick CD



I'm trying to figure out how I didn't know this one was coming out, considering there are some albums I've known were coming out for months. Wish I had known too because I would have preordered that one over on CD that I just bought.

I have more loyalty to Cheap Trick than the Chess Musical.

Grrrr. Now I have to wait for my birthday possibly, because there's no extra play money this month. Everything has somewhere to go for the next 3 months actually and I have to dip into my savings to pay for my stupid medical bills. Stupid crap insurance that I can barely afford but need.

I'd rather have a new CD than deal with a damn doctor and their costs anyday.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Things That Annoy

Yes, its time for another exciting episode of "Things That Annoy"

~ There's never enough room in closets/dressers for the laundry even though these clothes came from those same places.

~ The car always needs gas when I have the least amount of money.

~ When you want to use the elliptical at the gym every one but the two in front of the windows will be in use.

~ Some 90 lbs skinny bitch will always be on the AB machines.

~ One beer will makes me a weepy drunk. ONE FREAKING CORONA!!!!!

~ There's never enough time to read all the books that are piling up in my house.

~ No concerts that I can afford coming to the city when I can see them.

~ Bernie the 91 Chevy Beretta simply for existing or not ceasing to exist

~ A certain computer I use that operates on windows 98 and only has a dial up connection. Ya know that piece o' poo isn't in my house. Growls.

~ The waistline that is resisting all the exercise I've been doing.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

There's Never Enough Time

Every weekend I have these huge hopes of things I'm going to get done and every weekend I fall flat of my goals.

BAH!

I get little things done but never what I really want to get done. But its never enough. Never.

Its just not fair.

There's so much cleaning I want to do. What did I get done? 3 loads of laundry! I hate laundry. Laundry is the bane of my existence.

The sad part is I spent so much time just moping and crying because the whole priest situation has me in a turmoil. Most of you may not guess it by my usual entries, but I love my Catholic faith. I don't shove it down anyone's throat. I just exist and now everything feels like its crumbling.

I had a Corona today and I swear it made me a weepy drunk because I hadn't cried before and now I'm crying for Father D. and my Gram and I just feel a mess and I'm not getting things done and I can't string a coherent sentence together.

ARGH!

Perhaps if I would have just stayed in bed, I'd be in better shape!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

I Feel Better...Angry But Better

I sent a short note out to our priest.

See you may think I was accusing in my last post, but I'm really shell shocked. Yes, they are allegations and in this country you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty but our media won't let that happen.

I can't believe this is true. I've known this man for 17 years. I was just 17 at the time I met him. He was nothing but what a priest should be and I truly can't believe he's ever not been.

I sent him a letter telling him that he was my favorite priest and above all that I considered him my friend.

And I do.

I love him dearly and I hate these accusations that are making me question my trust and my love for him. He's a good man. I know that.

I'm just glad I know where they have him hiding.

Friday, June 19, 2009

An Open Letter To My Parish Priest

Father, this week you were accused of the most unspeakable thing a priest could do. My heart is broken right now. You have been a friend for over 17 years to myself and my family. We love you. We trust you. And now this.

You've shared so much laughter and tears with all of us. Your pain was ours and vice/versa.

I feel betrayed. I feel angry. I feel pity for you, because you've been accused and damned already without a trial.

I want to believe that you couldn't have done this.

I want to be believe that the man I know, that comforted my family and myself in our time of need, couldn't have done this.

I want to forgive you for something that I truly believe is unforgivable and yet I don't know if there's anything yet to forgive. My heart wants to defend you and shield you from what's being shouted from the media.

My heart aches for both you and the victim and their family. My heart aches for my parish. But most of all my heart aches for myself, because I don't know if I can feel comfortable calling myself a Catholic anymore.

Why, Father? Why?

Please let these allegations be false, I want to believe you are the man I've known and loved all these years.

I love you so much Father....why you? My favorite priest in the whole world.

I'm praying for you now to be strong. I'm just praying...and I hope someone will listen.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 227

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 songs you'd be happy to never hear again.

1. Taylor Swift - Love Story: I like Taylor, she's a talented young woman. I used to think Should've Said No was terribly overplayed, but this song trumps that. I have the radio on at work and I hear it at least 5 times a day! Crikey! Make it go away. It was a good song for the first 500 times!

2. B.J. Thomas - Hooked On A Feeling: ARGH! This song is one of the reasons I can't listen to The Pickle anymore.

3. Tom Jones - She's A Lady: Tom has done so many songs that are borderline obnoxious, this is one that crosses the line totally. Not to worry Sex Bomb still rocks my world.

4. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl: Horrid song that needs to go away and it should take Katy with it. PLEASE!

5. Shania Twain - That Don't Impress Me Much: Never cared for her music. Sure she's pretty, I can't fault her that but her music gets on my nerves and this song was and still is all over the radio. Blergh!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Stuff

My part of Washington County didn't get hit as hard by the thunderstorms that would never end last night, however I didn't get much sleep. There is too much going on right now for my brain to calm down.

There are things going on in my parish that break my heart and at the same time make me want to hurt people and question organized religion, which is sad because until this week, I've been going to mass every week since Palm Sunday. This week I couldn't sit in the same room with some of these people.

I'm really just angry right now with the whole world and I can't really talk about what's going on, mostly because we don't know. All I know is that this has totally robbed me of my piece of mind and most of my faith in humanity.

I'm sad.

My heart is broken.

And I may never see one of my favorite people ever again and that is killing me and filling me with a rage so strong that I can't begin to describe it.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

More Rants

I'd like to tell the governor of my fine state to go f himself right now. Obama just gave us a cut in my federal taxes. I needed that. PA's wonderful governor is about to take that away.

Thanks a whole lot.

He apparently doesn't pay my bills.

He isn't struggling to see where the $600 for medical bills is going to come from. He says the median income in PA is around $50,000. Yay for those that make that. I don't. I make less than half of that.

So Mr. Governor, do you know where you can take your tax-hike and shove it?

I just spent yesterday trying to sort out my finances, realizing that there's no way I can do a road trip that involves a hotel stay this year. He blames wall street. Well I have to say everything isn't wall streets problem. Yes, the economy took a hit and still is, so we're going to penalize everyone for the mismanagement of things by both private and public sectors.

Yes, Mr. Governor make sure that the rich get richer and the poor get dug into a deep whole they can't get out of.

I flip you the bird, and I'll be glad when your butt is out of Harrisburg.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Day Of Rants

Why is it that people take it personally if you don't like or think the same bands they listen to are the most awesome in the world?

I love Elvis Costello and The Moody Blues and a whole host of other artists. I openly admit to saying I can't freaking stand Green Day, though one or two of their songs manage to burn themselves into my brain when I turn the wrong radio stations on. I like Torchwood, but there is something about John Barrowman that irks me to high even, and when he sings pop music I really want to run screaming for the hills.

When I say this I'm not saying well, you have shit taste in music. I may be thinking it but I won't say it or type it at you, unless you really get on my nerves.

Music is personal and we all like things for different reasons. I like some country music, other people won't even give some of it a shot. It was by accident that I even started liking some of the country music that I do like, like Lady Antebellum that is more rock oriented than true country. But that's neither here nor there.

Someone posted something on my music website that really got up my nose yesterday. I posted a discussion thread on 5 of the most popular music releases for the month of May and this person, who is an online friend left this remark under Green Day, now mind you, I left no remarks about their new album as they aren't the kind of music I like. When I listen to punk I want it to be the stuff from the 70s when it was a bit edgier.

But this was left under the discussion thread there

"I know certain people *coughcough* aren't fans of GD, but I am."

Yippee skippy you like GD. Thrillsville. Write what you think and shut your trap before I go apeshit on your whiny emo ass.

If I didn't get $689 in medical bills plus $92 home owners insurance bill yesterday maybe I wouldn't be annoyed, but with that thrown on my doorstep everything is really pissing me off.

Aggravation

I finally got my bills for my colposcopy that I had done on April 7. My insurance paid some of it, but all in all I'm stuck with $575 now. Plus I'm waiting to see if my insurance is going to cover part of an office visit for something else. If that's not covered tack on another $115

Uh, President Obama will you please explain to some whacknuts out there that the health care system is BROKE. Why? I shouldn't have to pay $154 for insurance that doesn't really cover much plus has a high deductible. If I had the cash on hand I would be going to the doctor's. But right now I feel like I'm paying that and more. It just doesn't seem quite right.

The whole country can't work for companies that pay for health insurance. If they did, chances are there would be no small businesses hiring and the country needs small businesses.

So just when I thought I was about to crawl out from the debt medical monkey, It grabs me and pulls me back in.

Yay!

NOT!

And I have another Pap next month as a follow up from the colp in April. More fucking bills. It sucks to be a woman sometimes.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Random 10 - Week 209

I haven't played this Music Memoirs meme in awhile, so I figured why not!

10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

1. Queen - We Are The Champions (you know this is the yay Penguins song right?)
2. Queen - Another On Bites The Dust
3. Queen - Fat Bottom Girls

It was a Queen kinda day on Saturday.

4. Justin Hayward - Broken Dreams
5. Minnie Driver - Sorry Baby
6. Erasure - Don't Say You Love Me

These are my iPod tracks from when I was at Jack's working out.

7. Sugarland - It Happens
8. Jack Ingram - Maybe She'll Get Lonely
9. Lady Antebellum - Long Gone
10. Byran White - Sittin' On Go

4 songs from my country mix that's been in my car for months.

And now the picture, something I haven't seen since 1992

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Beautiful Roses


I went to the Renziehausen Rose Garden yesterday and oh were the roses beautiful. I got to use my new Nikon for the first time for things other than, well the cats and a few flower pictures from my garden.

Check out the set here.

There's nothing nicer than a walk through a flower garden to calm the nerves and brighten the day. Its a shame I can't go back today, because in the first 3 hours I've been awake things have been a bit topsy turvy.

Enjoy the pictures!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Way To Go Pens

I guess there will be a lot of calamari served up in Detroit in the coming days, since the Pittsburgh Penguins denied the Red Wings their Stanley Cup.

Awwww. I feel no pity. In fact, being a girl that watched them win their first Stanley Cup in 1992, when I was in my senior year of high school, I felt a great amount of joy that Lord Stanley was coming back to Pittsburgh.

I watched Mario Lemieux as he struggled to answer whether is was more satisfying to win the cup as a player or as an owner. He really seemed to want to say, "As a player" but he's much too much of a gentlemen these days to do that. Lordy but he's still one handsome guy and considering he lives in the Burgh most of the time and has for the last 20 some years, he still has that french-canadian accent that makes me sigh.

I'm proud of the boys and glad they could bring the cup home in the same season that the Steelers won their 6th Super Bowl.

Congrats Pens!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Top 5 On Friday: Week 336

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 voices that are like fingernails on a chalkboard to you

1. Sheryl Crow: There's something about her voice that really unnerves me. I can not stand her voice.

2. Whitney Houston: There was a time when I loved her. That's been long gone. Ever since she recorded I Will Always Love You, Whitney's voice and I just don't go together. In fact, when I hear anything other than her early singles, I run from the room!

3. Celine Dion: This woman's voice makes me want to hurl and if I have to watch her skinny butt beat her chest while she sings like some cavewoman, well I might poke my eyes out as well as going all Van Gogh.

4. Miley Cyrus: Please tell this Disney tartlet her voice is awful and not awesome. Geeze, kids will really listen to anything.

5. Billy Corgan: I've never been able to get into the Pumpkins because Billy's voice drives me up a wall and then a tree! Don't know what it is, but whenever I hear them I immediately shut the radio or TV OFF!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Giving It One More Try

I started back at the gym last night. I let my membership expire, actually fussed about it a month ago, but nothing is working for me at home on the getting in shape area, unless the shape I'm getting into is round, and I don't want to be round! And who really wants to be round.

So I spent about 50 minutes getting reacquainted with some of the old torture devices, and I've come to the conclusion, the elliptical machine is going to be hell for awhile, but I really need to get started again before I really start expanding and that is not a good thing.

So its off to the gym I go.

I've just got to figure out what a good mix of cardio and strength training will start the weight moving from my butt!

Oye!

This is not going to be fun. Nope not at all.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Insane Prices

Once again I got my morning email from Endless.com and once again my eyeballs popped out at the price of some of the shoes on that site.

Todays ad was for sandals! I love pretty sandals but where I work, I'm pretty much confined to servicable shoes of the sneaker variety or my Crocs flip flops. But I had to look at the selection and oh were the shoes pretty.

Hey I'm a girl. I like shoes!

Then I looked at the prices!

Holy crap!

There were several pairs that weren't even what I'd call cute priced nead $125! There was a gorgeous pair of Hush Puppies but the price on that pair was $75! For freaking sandals? That's insane!

Now I've paid that price for a good pair of walking shoes and even for a pair of heels once or twice when I worked in a more public occupation, but never for sandals. I'd have to wear them everyday for a year to make them worth that price, and from the looks of a few of those pairs of shoes, they wouldn't last that long.

Hump Day Hunk

I haven't had a hump day hunk picture in a long while, so I think it's time. After all some of us need some drooling material.

My first hunk is Phillip Glenister from Ashes To Ashes and Life On Mars. He plays the rather chauvinistic Gene Hunt, who may come off as a bit of a prick for lack of a better word, is pretty darn sexy.



So the guys don't complain too much, I decided to use Lady Antebellum as my next batch of hunks. So they get a hunkette in the form of Hillary Scott. I'll drool on the boys, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood if you don't mind


Happy hump day!

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Read This Book!

Elsewhere Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin


My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are so few books that I can literally not put down but this tale of the afterlife and reincarnation was definitely one that I couldn't let go of.

Liz wakes up one morning in a strange bet on the S.S. Nile which delivers her to Elsewhere. Elsewhere is the place Gabrielle Zevin has created for souls to go when they leave this earth.

On the S.S. Nile she encounters several people that will shaper her afterlife, among them is former rocker Curtis Jest. When she arrives in Elsewhere she's greeted by the grandmother she never knew, who looks to be the same age as her mom Olivia, but who died at 50 of breast cancer.

Why does she look so young?

In Elsewhere you age backwards, until you are 7 days old and then you are released back to earth to start a new life.

Elsewhere deals with Liz's struggles to deal with her own death and loss as well as acceptance of life on Elsewhere.

Zevin writes for young adults but anyone who reads this is bound to find Lizzie's story uplifting.

The book's message is such a simple one...live your life and your death to the fullest.

Go seek out this book now, you won't regret it.
View all my reviews.

Things You Don't Mind Spending Money On

Sometimes spending money on something can bring a smile to your face. There are a few things that definitely make purchasing something worthwhile. Here are the things that make me happy to part with my cash.

1. A good book. I always find that an entertaining read is money well spent. I just recently bought called Elsewhere which was totally wonderful. I spent more money on this book than I like to spend, but it was such a delight to read that I don't begrudge the expense anymore.

2. A good meal. If the food is good, the cost doesn't matter. Granted I'm not one to spend $50 on a meal, but I like good food, its one of the joys of life. Anytime a meal out is fully enjoyed is money well spent.

3. A good movie. I don't mean a DVD because in my household its hard to watch anything uninterrupted. What's money well spent is an afternoon or even at the movies with a big tub of buttery popcorn and an ice cold Coke. That my friends is usually worth every penny.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Todays Rant Brought To You By

Bilbo was joining in on the National Health Care debate.

Allow me to toss my 2 cents into the ring.

I work for a small construction company. My salary puts me at poverty level, but its a job close to home and it pays the bills. One of those bills just happens to be my own health insurance, which right now costs me $153.55 a month, with a deductible of $1250.00

This is the first year in over 10 years that I've had health insurance and I've spent a few grand on bull shit. You know like those papers that the doctor needs to fill out so that the Insurance company can determine if you have a preexisting condition. And those forms cost $10 on top of what the insurance company decides not to pay.

So I'm happy if you have a nice health care plan that your place of employment pays for or pays for partially. Good for you.

I don't.

I also don't make enough money to pay for the kind of health care that would really allow me to be worry free. To have the good health care plan I'd have to sacrifice half my monthly pay.

How many of you can afford that?

I can't.

So when asked if I think the health care system in the US is broke, I say YES. When asked if I think National Health Care would work, I say YES. Its worked in other countries. How we're going to pay for it now, that is another question. But something HAS to be done.

I won't even go into my rant on the wife of one of my co-workers who has uterine cancer and has to find out how to pay for her surgery because she doesn't have health insurance.

Think about that people. Think about the people that are your neighbors possibly, or someone's mother that isn't old enough for medicare but still doesn't have insurance, with cancer that can't afford to have it taken care of.

Think about that, when you say our system isn't broke.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

I'm So Freaking Angry Right Now

I was shifting the cushions on my couch, you know the one I just bought back in February when my dad got out of the hospital and there's a tear in the fabric inside the couch. Its nowhere where anyone could see it, but I know its there. The stuffing is poking out.

I don't know if something snagged it the few times the sofa bed was opened or what happened. Its not even in a place where I'd lay blame on the cats, because they don't go under the furniture. They prefer to be on it.

I just can't believe this. We haven't even had the couch for 6 months and I spent $500 for it! My brother paid for the new chair.

I want to scream right now.

That was my whole tax return.

I could cry.

No, I am crying.

Why does everything get ruined? WHY! WHY! WHY@

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Nothing To Do Today

Its amazing that this weekend is one where I can actually be lazy and I have every intention of taking advantage of that.

I'm going to catch up on some reading and possibly some writing and maybe even some picture taking. Anything but grocery shopping if I can help it. Or any other obnoxious task.

I plan to ignore the laundry until it comes and taps me on the shoulder begging to be done.

If I do any cleaning it will be because I want to, not because I need to.

I may even watch a DVD or two.

If I'm lucky though, I'll just sit in the sun and enjoy the finally good weather that arrived overnight. (It was about damn time it arrived too)

Now if you don't mind, I have a whole lot of nothing to attend to.

Friday, June 05, 2009

Top 5 On Friday: Week 225

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 albums that make the weekend a little bit better!

Elvis Costello - Secret Profane and Sugarcane: Its Elvis and though its not his best work, its still pretty damn good, but almost all EC albums fall into that category, but with this one just coming out, its definitely going to make this weekend much better.



Making April - The Egg Hunt: A new band I discovered this year and I adore this album. No, they aren't in the big time yet, but they are definitely worth listening too.





Judd Starr - Spirit & Skin: This album is a one of my favorites from last year. Judd has a gorgeous voice, writes great songs and is a super nice guy on top of it. I urge you all to go to Amazon and check out one or two of his songs, especially Please Penny.



Nick Lowe - Quite Please: His new 2 disc best of which rocks my world, just like Nick does. Why this album? Because its so hard to pick and choose because his albums are all so good! This best of is truly a great best of.



Gordon Lightfoot - Summertime Dream: This man is a brilliant songwriter and this is one of his greatest albums in my opinion. It also has 2 of my favorite Lightfoot songs, Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald and Race Among The Ruins




Thursday, June 04, 2009

I've done the math

Firstly, let me say I freaking hate doing math. But there was a bit of a financial crisis that got me really stirred up.

I make squat for money. That's neither here nor there. I'm not always certain of getting my 40 hours. But before April 26, 2008, I had my budget sorted that I would have enough to have most of my debt paid off. I figured in that I would buy stuff and use my credit card, because the time stuff is needed and payday don't always coincide.

I however didn't expect 10% of my salary going for every day bills on a house that I don't live in, ever want to live in, or could afford to live in. (unless I was cohabitating)

That 10% does not include the $323 that went to pay inheritence tax. Plus the other property taxes which come to about $650 a year..and then there's the Sewage and Garbage bills. (And I don't even put out garbage at that address)

And people wonder why there's no extra money for a car or car payment right now.

Oye.

I'm so mad and frustrated...and frankly this rant is brought to you by Medco Health, the pharmacy that fucked me over and caused my checking account to overdraft yesterday, for an error on their part, not mine. But that's a totally different rant.

As Simon Le Bon said..."Big Fuck Off World!"

The Other Day...

I was down at my grandmother's house, well its my house, but you understand that to me it will never be that, its grandma's house always. I looked around. Most of the furniture is in place and so are some of the things that always were there, but the stuff from the drawer old books and papers and all those greeting cards, are scattered throughout the dining room and kitchen.

It just made me wonder.

Is this all that's left of her wonderful life? There's barely a trace of her left, except her old ratty sweatshirt coat, you know something kinda like a hoodie but not, and an umbrella.

The house still smells like grandma if that makes sense, but the important part of it, grandma, is not there and that makes it just a house. A house that I neither want or need in my life. The house that's keeping me from the car that I would have had the money for a downpayment on if I weren't shelling out the part of my savings to pay for homeowners insurance and the utilities that we're still keeping on...plus the taxes and other things that just eat up ever extra cent I have.

Oye!

And I can remember times when gram said to me that we'd be better off if she were gone. I know that it was the ramblings of a 101 year old lady that knew her life was winding down, but gram, no! Life rolled on so much nicer when you were there to talk to, to help when we needed. When that house across the street was your house and not just a house.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Not In The Mood

This is one of those days when I feel so blerghy that I just don't want to do anything and that includes going to work.

Of course I'm going to work. I need the money. Stuff to buy. Stuff to do.

Mostly just stuff to do, and like always I don't really want to do it.

What I really want to do is kick back and read especially since I have so many books on my shelves to read right now.

~sigh~

But life won't allow it, at least not until 4 o'clock.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Tuesday Tunes: Week 84

From Music Memoirs

1. What's your favorite song to blare in your car?
There's actually two songs, one is an old favorite, Oingo Boingo's Insanity. That song has always been able to cure road rage. Sure its a little dark and creepy but that's what makes it work. Listen and watch here.

A current favorite is by Sugarland. Yes, I love a country song, so what, It Happens. You can listen to that one here. Jennifer Nettles is 100 different kinds of awesome.

2.How do you listen to music in your vehicle?
Sadly I can only listen via CD or radio. My car is too old to be able to hook my mp3 player up through an adapter. Sadly most of the time I just listen to BOB.FM or WSHH.


3. If you were going on a long journey, what music would you take with you?
I usually take most of my favorite artist and songs on several mix CDs. Its easier that way and I don't feel like I've left some song or artist I love at home. Its funny if I'm going on a roadtrip I always act like I may never hear my favorite music again.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Such an odd day

Not today, yesterday. Besides having the awesome food coma, I did some cleaning and found some things I've been looking for, for a very long time. I found the brand new Mr. Coffee, 4 cup maker my mom got for Christmas a few years back, buried in her bedroom. (Thanks Michael) I also found a doll I bought for my friend Jennifer's daughter, that I've been looking for now for over a year.

Jenn, you better come for a visit soon, before it gets lost again!!!

I did an extra load of laundry yesterday so that Michael could have his Dairy Queen shirt when he goes in today. Why do I do the kid's laundry? He's not mine! My sister has a washing machine! He's 17 too.

Oye!

The boy will cut the lawn but he can't wash clothes.

Another one of life's mysteries.

Go figure.

At least I've found the stuff he's hidden. Woot!

See Michael is a neat freak but he doesn't clean, really, he straightens or hides stuff and the stuff he hides is the stuff we are always looking for.

This is reason #481 why I like making messes.