Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 artists/bands you would like to party with on New Year's Eve (Feel free to tell us why too)


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

I don't think any of these will come as much of a suprise to you.

1. Mika: He's the token cute boy at the party. I want him to be my arm candy!

2. John Lodge: He can bring the wine.

3. The Krallstellos: Diana Krall and Elvis Costello: I hope they leave the twins with a sitter, but I'd love to have them at a party. It would be a super cool overload. Probably too much pretty for me to handle, but it would still be nice.

4. Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran:  He can give out fashion advice and help us mix pretty drinks.

5. Lady Antebellum: Because they are super fun and I wouldn't mind hanging with the whole band....

One More Day

It is hard to believe another year is coming to a close and like all of them, there has been good and bad. I wouldn't call this a stellar year but it wasn't a bad one.

The Highlights:
1. My 2006 Ford Focus
2. Trip to Berlin, OH
3. Seeing Gordon Lightfoot at the Palace Theater.
4. The Chili Cook Off @ Christian Klay Winery
5. Eating at Century Inn in Scenery Hill
6. Welcoming Gizmo into our home

The Lowlights:
1. Dad's two hospital visits.
2. Harley the kitty's death in August.
3. Dad's car dying right after I traded the Beretta.
4. The bathroom debacle: Anyone have a couple of grand so we can end this one?
5. My minor health issues that continue to cost me about $700 a year. BAH!

I'll be recaping some entertainment things over on The Certifiable Wenches blog later today....

I Need A Nap

I think I've been burning the candle a bit too much in the last week. I feel kinda woozy today. You know, like I've got sea legs.

I really need a good 2 hour nap.

Fat chance of that happening. I've got more grocery shopping to do. I need to do some more cleaning, in my effort to get organized in 2011, plus I'm participating in a read-a-thon for the next few days...to see how many books I can read by the end of the year.

Yes, I am a fool, but better a fool than one that's sitting around doing nothing and just worrying about stuff. If I keep busy, I won't worry.

Makes sense doesn't it?

Now if only I can get a few hours of sleep in the next few days, maybe I'll feel better.

~ BTW: Dad is doing better...he's turning into his lovable curmudgeonly ole self.

Tuesday Tunes

From Music Memoirs

What music will you be ushering in 2011 with?

I'm pretty sure it will be whatever scary music is on Dick Clark's countdown or The Disney Channel. I think Disney is doing a Shake It Up New Year's special. How odd is it? I have no children, but I watch way too much Disney channel, but then again, so do my parents. We're weird like that.

If you could see one concert for New Year's Eve, who would it be?
If I could magically celebrate one New Year's and be teleported back home the second the show was over, it would be Elvis Costello. A few year's back he played a NYE show at the Borgata in Atlantic City...not that I'd want to be in Atlantic City after this blizzard...but still...you get the idea right?

This Year I Want To Be More Organized

I think organization is my only resolution this year. I want to organize my life from the internet on through.

It is going to be a tough job, because I don't really do organization, but I'm going to try. And with the organization I'm going to try to keep the junk in my life to a minimum.

This won't be easy.

I will probably struggle and try to give up...but with the changes in our household it is going to be something necessary.

So wish me luck.

I don't usually make resolutions, but I think this one is necessary, and I may start working on it before the ball drops in a few days.

I know if I put my mind to it, I can do it....Right? right!!! Right????!!!????

Country Lyrics

I'm beginning to believe that some of the best lyrics in the world or perhaps the most profound can be found in country songs.

I've only recently come to listen to more of this genre, and though it isn't my favorite, I find myself thinking more and being moved by some of the songs. Sure country songs can be depressing but they can make you laugh too...and in the case of a recent Billy Currington song, they can make me go, "Damn, that's dead on."

The song is called "People Are Crazy"

The lyrics: "God is great. Beer is Good. People are crazy."

I don't think I've heard anything more spot on than that in a long time.

Have a listen..if you can get past the stupid commercial before it

Drat & Double Drat

I've always loved the scents at Bath & Body Works. I had one older body wash that I hadn't used yet, but started using this week, Chocolate Amber.

I fell in love with it.

Which means it is now discontinued. The remaining bottles of the body spray sell for $30.00 on amazon. That's double what it originally sold for in the stores.

The unfairness of it all.


All the scents I've really loved have been retired over the past few years. I'm just happy that Juniper Breeze and Flowering Herbs sometime resurface at sale times again. I don't think I'll be that lucky with this one. They don't seem to bring back scents from the sexies or the sensuals collections.

Christmas 2010

I didn't think today would have turned out as nice as it did.

No fighting...

No tears...that weren't happy ones...

And it was a White Christmas.

Everyone was home for the holiday.

What more could we ask for?

Not much, I tell you.

It was a lovely day, start to finish.

I hope every one of you had a day as lovely as mine!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve turned out to be quite nice. Dad is feeling a bit stronger today and less loopy.

We all enjoyed our chicken dinner and the fixins, that were made by my nephew, my friend Jennifer and myself.

I'm so thankful for all my friends who were here for me...either online or in person. Christmas is going to be so much nicer now!

I love you all...and hope you have a beautiful Christmas Day!

Dad Update

Dad is home from the hospital. He's on continuous oxygen for the next 2 weeks at least if not longer.

He's still a bit muddled but he is on strong antibiotics and he had steroids while he was in the hospital for his lung.

I don't think I've sat down for more than a minute or two since noon today, and I'm beyond tired...but I'm nowhere near ready for the holiday. We have absolutely nothing done yet, but at least he's home.

Fingers crossed that his health will improve over the next week or two.

Random Updates

~ We still know next to nothing on the dad front. He is anemic. He had a CT of the abdomen yesterday, but we don't know anything. We don't know anything about the pneumathorax either. One word...Frustrating!

~ My new blog design is up...go check out my book blog HERE.

~ All of this crap really makes it not feel like Christmas. I don't think I'll be finding much spirit any time soon either.

~ If I see that Honda commerical with the vampire weekend song "holiday" in it one more time I just may blow a gasket!

Exhausted

Spent 3.5 hours at the hospital today with dad. No word back on the CT he had of his abdomen or what they are going to do about the pneumathorax.

I'm just so tired that I can't think anymore.

I slept 3 hours last night.

Thankfully, he's in good spirits.

But I just wish I knew something...

Here's hoping I can catch a little bit of sleep tonight.

Say Prayers For My Dad

He's in the hospital with a collapsed lung.

To those of you that might smoke.

STOP IT!!!

COPD and collapsed lungs aren't worth it.

People love you....DO NOT SMOKE.

M'kay?

Less Than A Week Until Christmas!!

ARGH!

I think that's about all I can say.

I do have presents taken care of...and grocery shopping done.

But everything else?

ARGH!!

I am pressing the panic button now.

Anyone want to come help me clean my house?

Pretty please?

Mmm Chipotle Mexican Grille

It isn't fair that Chipotle is so damn good, because fast food should not cost $20.00 for two people.

Crikey....that was two super yummy burritos w/guacomole and one drink and a bag of chips and salsa.

No joke it was $20.34.

However it was almost as good as going to La Fiesta in our little hamlet of Charleroi on Mon.

Places like this boggle my mind. Especially as they don't have many options and the decor is very very simple.

Even for a ginormous burrito the prices don't make sense.

However I'll pay them every now and then, because even though its pricy, the food is really good for fast food. And I know I'm not the only one that feels that way, because there was a pretty long line the whole time we were there for their burritos, bowls and tacos.

Why does yummy always have to equal expensive?

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 albums, artists, songs of 2010


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

Albums:

Elvis Costello - National Ransom


Lady Antebellum - Need You Now


The Band Perry - The Band Perry



Micky Dolenz - King For A Day



Sarah McLachlan - Laws Of Illusion




Songs:

Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
Taylor Swift - Mine
Katharine McPhee w/Zach Levi - Terrified
Mika vs Redone - Kick Ass (We Are Young)
Celtic Thunder - Hallelujah

Artists:
Taylor Swift
Lady Antebellum
Elvis Costello
Duran Duran (New album rocks!!)
Mika

Reverb 10 - Friendship

December 16 – Friendship How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

I have two very good friends that you often hear about here, Jennifer and Tina. Well, this year, my friend Tina, had to have surgery to remove a tumor on her pituitary gland. That's brain surgery, people.

The change that her health problem brough to my life is a simple one...the reminder that life is fleating and that we should enjoy and appreciate each other as much as we can in our allotted time.

I've known Tina since grade school and ours is a friendship that has weathered many storms through the years. We may not always hang out together but we've always been able to talk.

Tina is the one who brought both Sugarplum Buttonhead (one of her fosters) and Gumdrop (another foster, but not hers) into my life. These cats have filled our household with more joy than you can imagine. (Even though Sugarplum is a curmudgeonly kitty if ever there was one)

I can't imagine Tina not being around. This year was definitely an eye opener for me. I hope we have many more years of friendship to come.

A Great Country Song

I'm really annoyed by the commercial before the video, but it is worth it just to see and hear the awesomeness that is Miranda Lambert's Only Prettier.

I'm kind of interested in hearing what you guys think of the lyrics, personally I think our government should listen to this song:

Well I’ve been saved by the grace of Southern charm
I got a mouth like a sailor and yours is more like a Hallmark card
And if you wanna pick a fight
Well I’m gonna have to say goodnight
I don’t have to be hateful, I can just say bless your heart

And even though I don’t belong with your high life friends
It doesn’t mean we don’t get together and try to make amends
It’s easier can’t you see
Let’s agree to just disagree
We don’t have to like each other but it’s sure fun to pretend

So let’s shake hands and reach across those party lines
You’ve got your friends just like I’ve got mine
We might think a little differently
But we got a lot in common you will see
We’re just like you
Only prettier

Everybody says you’ve gotta know your enemies
Even if they only weigh a hundred pounds and stand five foot three
If you just smile and behave you can always get your way
It’s a universal plan that’ll get you where you can in all societies

So let’s shake hands and reach across those party lines
You’ve got your friends just like I’ve got mine
We might think a little differently
But we got a lot in common you will see
We’re just like you
Only prettier

Let’s shake hands and reach across those party lines
You’ve got your friends just like I’ve got mine
We might think a little differently
But we got a lot in common you will see
We’re just like you
Only prettier

Well, I’ll keep drinkin’
And you’ll keep gettin’ skinnier
I’m just like you
Only prettier

Post It Note Tuesdays

Thinking About 2010

A lot has gone on in my life in 2010. My dad was in the hospital in April...I bought a new-ish car in May...I saw Gordon Lightfoot in concert again. I went to Amish country in Ohio and to several other nice places in our tri-state area.

Money has been very tight, but I can't look back on 2010 with many regrets.

I bought my eReader and I love it, though I will always love "real" books.

I've discovered many new books and authors this year too. I've also read close to 200 books!!! I really hope I can reach 200 in 2011, but who knows...life has its way of jumping into my life and interrupting things.

I started a book blog in January and it now has 140 followers! I even get comments so I know those followers read my posts.

Wenches is not doing as well, but I have hopes for it..and I hope I can get some new writers for the site.

I survived Snowmagedon 2010 with my sanity mostly intact.

So even though I may grumble, I've had a very productive year. Hopefully 2011 will be a bet better financially, but I think I will be able to gaze fondly back on 2010.

Holiday Meme

Here's an holiday meme I found @ Reading Without Restraint

1. When do you usually know and feel that it's finally the holidays?
I feel that it's the holidays as soon as the Christmas trees go up at Kmart and the Christmas music starts playing 24/7 on WSHH in Pittsburgh.
2. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Sarah Palin to be deported to Russian! She can see it from her house! No actually, I'd love one of the new iPod Nanos or a Nook Color. Neither of which I need, but are gadgets I covet.
3. Do you go all out with decorations?
Not at all, though we do have 2 trees. When you have many pets, you just can't decorate extensively, or you spend most of December pulling tinsel out of your pet's bum.
4. What are you doing Christmas Eve?
Watching Christmas movies and making and eating Christmas Eve dinner.
5. What are you doing Christmas Day?
Celebrating with family! I'll be helping prepare the meal too, so I'll be a bit cranky. Making two big dinners in a row, is not something I enjoy doing, but I love Christmas, so I'll deal with it.
6. It's Christmas time. What are you reading?
I'm reading as many holiday inspired books as I possibly can without going insane.
7. Favorite movie to watch during the holidays?
The Polar Express or Love Actually..and if Hallmark chooses to play it again, Mrs. Miracle
8. Favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night
9. Favorite holiday drink?
Cherry Wine from the Arrowhead Wineries or their Dazzling Niagra
10. How is your Christmas shopping going?
Not too good. I need to buy several more presents and I have no idea when I'm going to be able to do it.
11. If you could spend Christmas Day anywhere else, where would you spend it?
I'd like to transplant my family to a wonderful lodge either Oglebay or one of the beautiful hotels in the Sugarcreek OH area...and if it were just me...somewhere near Longwood Gardens so I could see the flowers.
12. Any holiday traditions?
Christmas Eve dinner with Oplatki wafers is a big tradition in our house. Other than that...nothing really
13. Favorite thing about the holidays?
The holiday music and the cookies. Oh how I love carols and cookies!

11 Things

December 11 – 11 Things What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson) take from Reverb 10

1. Debt: I realize that my car payment will not go away for 4.5 more years, unless the money fairy really does exist, but if I could pay down the small cards I carry by say, June, my life would be so much easier.

2. Illnesses/Hospitalization: Not necessarily mine, but no joke, that extra pap smear a year is pricey. What I really hope I won't have is one parent in the hospital at any point in 2011.

3. Snow: I have no control over this, but my life would be better if we don't have any huge snows like this past February. I lost a week's wages because our electricity was out. Boo hiss.

4. Sarah Palin: Sadly nothing legal I can do about her either. I can turn off the TV though or change the channel. Definitely something I'll be considering if this freakazoid makes a White House bid.

5. 20 lbs: I'm going to try to keep hitting the YMCA in hopes that some of the extra pounds will start to disappear from my butt.

6. Republicans: 2011 would be so much better without any of these idjits. To keep them out of my life I'll continue to vote straight democrat, until the Repugs start listening to their doctors and pull their heads out of their asses.

7. Bad  writing: I'm going to work at becoming a better reviewer for both books and movies. Hopefully this will generate more income for me in the coming year.

8, TV: I'm going to try to cut back on my TV and stick only with the shows that I really enjoy or can exercise to. (comedies or doctor who)

9. Crap: I'm going to work at getting rid of all the excess stuff that's in my life. Getting rid of unnecessary stuff will make me better organized

10. Facebook: I need to get this out of my life. Cutting back on Facebook will give me more time to concentrate on my life.

11. Bad music: I'm going to try to avoid lousy music. Hopefully my freelance job won't toss anything too horrible. But I can only wish that artists like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber will go away.

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 songs that make you feel all warm inside


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. The Moody Blues - Deep: This song will turn me into a puddle. Yeah...mmm Justin...those are some lyrics.

2. Elvis Costello - I Want You: This song is freaking creepy and yet so very...WOW...one of Mr. Costello's best songs.

3. Celtic Thunder - Baby Its Cold Outside: These guys can keep me warm anytime, but when they do this song, I get the warm fuzzies!!!

4. Brad Paisley - Waiting On A Woman: Brad is one of my favorite country artists, and this song is just stunning...

5.  Nick Lowe - Let's Stay In And Make Love: Title says it all.

OMG Oreo Truffles

I found this recipe on the cooking livejournal page and I figured I'd better post it here because I will likely lose it if I don't, and then I won't have a chance at making them.

EASY "OREO" TRUFFLE RECIPE:
1 packet Oreo cookie

1 package cream cheese

1 large block chocolate



(I know that the amounts are rough, but honestly? The recipe doesn't need to be exact. Just get "standard" sized packs of cream cheese and biscuits!)



Crush the biscuits super-fine (or whiz them in a food processor). Set aside about a dessert spoon of cookie crumbs. Mix the softened cream cheese into the biscuit crumbs. Melt the chocolate and dip in balls of the cream cheese/biscuit mix to cover. Place on a greased tray and sprinkle with the reserved biscuit crumbs. Refrigerate. ENJOY! :D



Note: You really can use any flavoured cream cookies!

My New Favorite TV Show

If you haven't checked out Miranda's CD or her BBC tv show yet, I have to urge you to do it!! It is the funniest thing I've seen on TV in ages. It actually tops my two favorite shows on US tv, which are Mike and Molly and Bleep My Dad Says.

Plus there's some eye candy for the men in the form of Sarah Hadland and more eye candy for the ladies in the form of Tom Ellis. Such prettyness.

But above all else, this show is so funny.

Oh and have I mentioned in the first season....The Fifth Doctor makes an appearance as a former French teacher of Miranda's who hooks up with Stevie?

Now that's some funny stuff!

So if you aren't checking out the show, do it! NOW!!

Post It Note Tuesdays

Here's a fun new meme from:

It Really Is The Christmas Season

There are certain things that make me feel the spirit of Christmas. Most of them are Christmas specials. It isn't Christmas until the Grinch has been played. Tonight is the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. This is one that will always be near and dear to me.

How can you not love it?

That sweet little stick of a tree he brings to the Christmas pagent that turns into something more beautiful than any of the other trees he could have found? Linus' telling of the Christmas story.

Oh and its definitely not Christmas until some wanker complains about a nativity scene in a gov't building.  We've totally missed the point of Separation Of Church and State. We are a country that's supposed to celebrate our diversity. Well I think every building should have a menorah, a nativity or whatever other festive thing your religion believes in. I think they should be displayed proudly, because as a nation we are supposed to welcome all religions. One religion is not supposed to control our government, not no religion at all.

Why does some asshat always have to whine about the nativity? If you don't believe in God, the nativity is just a scene of a family in a barn!

Get a grip on yourselves, asshats!

Someone Turn On The Heat

When the temps drop below 30, I start to wonder how people 150 years ago managed?

I know I'm a big baby, but I can't help it, I don't handle cold well.

I prefer heat.

This is going to be a common theme here until I get a nice heater going in my room, which sadly won't be until next month thanks to taxes and Christmas and other not so fun things.

Thank god for fleece blankets and those wonderful robes from Bath & Body. If only I could find a way to keep my  hands warm when I'm in this room.

Its not easy to type while wearing gloves, and have an afghan on my lap...and I don't mean the dog...though I do wish there were one on my lap. I'd be a lot warmer.

I will say it again, I hate winter!!!! And it isn't even winter yet!!

Feeling Lazy

After yesterday's jaunt to the city, I'm pretty much beat. I don't want to do anything. I just want to sit around and vegetate, not that I can really do that.

I've already managed to get an hour workout in at the Y and do some Christmas and grocery shopping done, all the while, wishing I were back under the covers.

I also helped make our steak dinner, taking care of the cheesy spaetzle dish we found at Aldi.

So now I'm going to get my lazy time, which isn't so lazy since I have a huge load of laundry in. I also have about 400 words to write for a CD review.

So much for being lazy.

One day I'll get to do that....

Maybe..

An Interesting Dinner

My friend Jen and I went to Pittsburgh today, and that always involves eating. It has been awhile since either of us had been to a Hard Rock Cafe, so that's where we decided to eat.

The food was good, as it usually is. We both had burgers and a nice alcoholic bevy to take the edge off the freezing cold temperatures outside.

However, the next table, was obviously a hooker convention.

No joke...

13 women, very inappropriately dressed for the weather....most of them looking like they didn't regularly consume food.

It didn't do much for the self esteem that's for sure, however it made for many jokes about the Hookers at the Hard Rock!

Oye Vey!

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 musical things you'd like to find under the tree or in your stocking this year


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. A 16 GB Ipod Nano, preferrably in PINK!!! Or the 160 Classic...in Black

2. The remaining few Gordon Lightfoot CDs that I need to complete my collection, or the Songbook box set.

3. A nice sized gift card from Amazon

4. An iTunes gift card so I can buy that blasted new Duran Duran album when it comes out. As it is an iTune exclusive until sometime next year.

5. Another external hard drive for my mp3 files

Something To Think About

When Bill Clinton was in office we had a budget surplus.

W took office and all that went away. In 8 years!!!! That's a lot of damn money to piss away in less than 10 years.

The republicans want tax breaks for the rich, but they don't give a shit about the people who lost their jobs and haven't found work.

They won't compromise, yet a compromise is being asked for.

I'm sorry...I can't find a good thing to say about Republicans, and I know Democrats aren't much better. But to say we won't let any other legislation go through unless you extend tax cuts which will amount to 3.7 trillion dollars added to our deficit,  well I have to say this, YOU ARE BEING CHILDISH!!!

Morons!!!!!!

I think my head is going to explode now.

I Hate Winter

It isn't even officially winter and its already freaking cold.

Couldn't we take a year off of this bullshit!

I know Europe just got blasted with the white stuff, and I send my apologies along with a note that says, better you than me.

After the 70 inches of snow we got ...in...erm February, or it seems like most of it came in February, I don't want to see any of this crap.

I want warmth...say about 70 degrees please.

No cold. No snow. No ice.

Now if only the weather would comply with my requests, before I turn into an icicle.