Think Happy Thoughts

~ There's a winter storm on the way with the threat of ice!

~ My car got a flat tire and all I had was a donut

~ It cost $229.00 to do my taxes because I no longer can file using a 1040 EZ

~ At least I don't owe the IRS anything.

Must think happy thoughts.

Oh yeah....because I review music, buying an iPod is a tax deductible expense!

Woo to the hoo!

Guess who is going to get an iPod touch!

ARGH!!

WPXI just delivered this little tidbit of unhappiness to me.

Winter storm watch in effect from Monday evening through late Tuesday night.

The NWS in Pittsburgh has issued a winter storm watch, which is in effect from Monday evening through late Tuesday night.

Accumulation: 0.25 to 0.5 inches of ice. 1 to 3 inches of snow.
Timing: Light snow will begin Monday night, changing over to sleet and freezing rain by Tuesday morning. Precipitation will turn over to all rain by late Tuesday night.

Impacts: Ice and snow accumulation on untreated roads will lead to hazardous driving conditions.

Precautionary/preparedness actions, A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

I wonder if I'm ever going to get a full week of work in this year.

But seriously! Mother Nature, stop with this crap! It isn't nice!!! Couldn't you send some unseasonably warm? PLEASE!!!

It's To Do List Time

I really need to get the stuff I need doing on a list so that I can stop procrastinating. I'm a big one for putting off until next year, the stuff that I could be doing right now.

You know, like cleaning.

I think cleaning is highly over-rated.

I also think that when I have to do 4 loads of laundry and clean the multitude of litter boxes that I have to clean...that I should get a little help from the other member of the household that isn't a senior citizen. Fat chance of that happening.

Today I managed to get to the Y to use the elliptical for about 30 minutes. I also shot to Giant Eagle for bread and pierogies and then I came home and made chicken paprikas for dinner. Hungarians out there will know that this is a wonderful chicken and dumplings recipe with a sour cream sauce.

This was the first time I made it...and no one died!

Yet!

I guess it's time to get that to do list together.

Or maybe I can put it off until tomorrow!

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 Artists or Shows you'd like to see in 2011

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. Mika: He's been on my list for ages. I would love to see him, but he seems to play NYC or Philly when he comes to the US and well...I'm 36 and have responsibilities and strained finances, so 6 hour road trips for concerts isn't in the cards. But if he came to Pittsburgh I would try to see him.

2. 9 to 5: This one is part of the CLO this summer and I would love to be able to catch it if I can. I don't care if I sit in the top rows of the Benedum Center. I would just love to see this show.

3. The Band Perry: This is a fairly up and coming country band that I adore. I'd love to see some of the new country artists live if I could. Who knows, maybe one of them will play a local fair this summer. I can hope, right?

4.  Sugarland: I love this band. Their singles always make me feel so good about life and they get stuck in my head in a happy way.

5. The Zac Brown Band: I missed them when they toured solo, because I didn't know who they were at the time. They are coming to the Burgh with Kenny Chesney...and that show is sold out. Plus I don't like Kenny. The Zac Brown Band are kinda country but they have a more folksy sound with great harmonies. I'd love to see them at the Roadhouse if they play there again.

Soft Kitty!

I found this on Facebook.  For those of you that don't get this...you might want to watch some Big Bang Theory re-runs.

I Love My Ereader!

I never thought that I'd love a reading device as much as I love print books, but I do.

I love my Nook.

Of the 8 books I've read so far this year, 4 of them were ebooks. The best part is that since I do reviews, I get a lot of ebooks for free from publishers and authors.

The downside is that some of them have a time limit for reading. Those are the ones I get from Net Galley, but the ones from the author are ARC copies and are mine to keep and enjoy.

It makes loving my ereader a whole lot easier.

Plus it helps with the clutter in my house just a tad.

I Just Don't Understand

That wackjob in Arizona, plead not guilty today.

Not guilty?

WTF!

I can understand looking for an insanity plea, because he is likely insane, but from all the information I've seen, his insane self plotted this out...and for a long time.

A 9 year old child is dead! He killed 6 people and wounded 13.

Not GUILTY!!!

WTF!!

I just shake my head.

I realize that you are innocent until proven guilty but crikey.....this is such a travesty that it makes me sick to my stomach.

Not Much To Say

It is odd when I don't have a rant or two to share. I think it is entirely too cold. (That's my winter rant). No joke, I went to work wearing two jackets, a scarf, a fuzzy hat and gloves and I was still cold.

I think the coldness has kept me focused on getting warm rather than current events...but here's my take on a few things:

~ Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl! Here we go!!!

~ Elton John is whining about gay rights. Wish he's stop whining and do something productive.

~ Madonna has made up with Prince. Awww how sweet.

~ Oprah has a long lost sister...I'm pretty sure before she ends her show, she'll claim Obama as her long lost brother.

~ One of my feral cat colony is in heat. It's getting pretty noisy outside.

~ Reviewing Christian music = not much fun

Back to you....

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

Can you feel the sarcasm here?

I was planning on heading out to the gym today.  The Y is only open a few hours in the afternoon on Sundays, when I looked over at our wire cubes in the kitchen.

One of the shelves was leaning, in a way that it should not be leaning.

An hour and a half later, with everything all over the kitchen, that had been in those cubes, and I'm headed to Walmart and Eat N' Park.

Not the afternoon I had planned.

However the potato soup at E & P was pretty darn tasty and so were the sticky buns. So all was not a total loss.

Tick Tock

Today I felt the first tickings of my biological clock.

I've never thought of children. I think I would be a terrible mother, but today I felt a kind of loneliness I'm not used to. Then I heard the country song Raymond on the radio and it touched something in me.

The thought of being old and alone is terrifying.

I don't have a boyfriend...haven't in more time than I care to talk about, and no one is on the horizon either.

I guess I was feeling a longing for something I don't have and something I probably won't have. Let's face it, this girl isn't all that lovable.

But all that aside, I felt an odd stirring for a child and I don't know why.

I think I need to go play with my cats, or drink a beer, to get rid of these addled thoughts.

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 musical ways to spend a snow day


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. Reorganize the music on my mp3 players. This is something I've been meaning to do for a very long time.

2. Clean up my Amazon wishlist.

3. Listen to some of the albums on my computer that I've not listened to in a long while.

4.  See if there are any new music videos on CMT

5. Make some new mixes

Waiting For Snow

From the looks of things we could have another 3-6 inches of snow tonight into tomorrow.

This is getting old.

I work on a road that never gets plowed at an office where the driveway doesn't get plowed...so this kind of snow = no work for me.

No work for me = no $ for me.

That makes me a very cranky girl, especially when I'm trying to pay my bills.

Plus there are things I'd like to get taken care of.

1. Oil change for the Focus
2. Dentist for me.

Why can't the money fairy stop by?

However today I am going to brace myself for the storm...I'm getting gas in the car when I leave work...stopping at the store for cereal, laundry detergent and donuts and then I'm going to hunker down and watch telly.

That way it won't snow!

I can dream right?

Political Commentary Or Political Satire

I was talking to a friend the other day about The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. I get most of my political news from these shows, because...sometimes they seem more honest than regular news shows, and yet...they aren't really news shows.

OK....maybe The Colbert Report isn't...but what about The Daily Show.

Since Jon Stewart took over the show from Craig Kilborne many moons ago, The Daily Show has become more credible as a news show. Sure Jon gives a comic spin to what's going on in the world, but there's less ha ha's for the sake of ha ha's on The Daily Show.

I've always found Jon to be the more serious of the two, when it comes to discussing world politics. Sure they put some satirical bits in but The Daily Show is as close to a news show that you can find on Comedy Central.

Plus Jon does some awesome interviews, even when interviewing members of the "Repugnant" party.

So what's  your take on these two shows? Personally I think they should be required viewing for everyone in the US.

The Day From Hell

Let me tell you why today sucked.

1. Almost fell on my ass trying to get to my car at 8 a.m.

2. Car does a figure 8 and a half down two blogs....I will never ride a tilt-a-whirl again after this. BTW...the car and its driver are unscathed.

3. The driveway to work was solid ice at 10 a.m. Had to walk up to the office and later down to the car because, said car wouldn't pull the small grade until 11.

Who has the beer and some relaxing music?

BTW..if you were wondering...as my car was spinning to oblivion all I could think was...OMG I'm going to wreck the car I've not paid for.

Yeah...I'm crazy

This Is Me

Send beer please....or wine...I'm not picky!

When The Profound Goes Awry

I had a post planned about Ronald Reagan and our last illustrious president George W. Bush. I wanted to talk about how one is preceived to be a good man and the other an awful president. All of this stemming from the excerpt of Ron Reagan's book about his dad that was in today's Parade Magazine.

It had me thinking about politics most of the day.

Then my day interrupted.

I had to go shopping...make dinner...finally take down the Christmas tree. OMG it is the 16th of January and I just took down the Christmas tree.

I did manage to go to the YMCA both days this weekend, so that should count for something, right?

I just wish I could have posted what was floating through my head most of the day as a result of that article.

Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Go Steelers!

What a game!

Being the girl that understands nothing about football, I didn't watch on the telly. I kept up with it on Yahoo, where all the Steelers hating trolls lurk.

Oye! What a bunch of haters!

That said the game was tough on the nerves no matter how you were keeping track.

Next week is going to be ugly.

My bet is The Patriots (Boo hiss) will be our opponents.

I hate the Patriots almost as much as I hate the Ravens.

Oh and as far as rivalries are concerned, The Browns my be a rival...but I feel sorry for them more than I hate them.

Go Steelers!

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 songs or albums that help chase away the winter blahs


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.

Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much (specifically We Are Golden)

Fountains Of Wayne - Fountains Of Wayne (I'm pretty sure Radiation Vibe is on this one)

Duran Duran - Rio (Just about any song here will chase the blah's away)

Erasure - Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Go for Sunday Girl for some smiles)



Laura Bell Bundy - Achin' & Shakin' (Have I mention how much I like Giddy On Up?)



(click on the album covers to go to amazon for song clips)

Where Has The Week Gone

It's Thursday already?

Dang!

It is amazing what a little snow can do for moving the week along.

I even got one of my reviews done for Review You. It's a shame I have two more due in the next 12 days! On a positive note, I started listening to one and it was really great. It is a shame the second one wasn't quite as good.

On a happy note, I'll have my most recent album review posted at Mossip later today. Oddly it was a Christmas CD but one that was really great! 12 original songs. I know it is January, but you'll have to give the clips a listen when I post it. The artist's name is Michael Dyer and he has a really great voice and he manages to create songs that are funny and heartwarming without being ridiculous or sickeningly sweet. I can't wait to share the review with you.

Now if only this day would fly by as fast as my snow day did. I need to get to Walmart

Snow Daze

I had a snow day today.

That gets a Yay! I didn't have to drive in all the ick and muck that covers our roads.

It gets a Boo! because I don't get paid for snow days.

Plus I had to go out in the ick and muck to get my dad nasal spray and distilled water, as the oxygen is giving him nosebleeds. I also had to get a new wiper blade, so I could see when I drive. It is always nice to see, right?

I only hope that the snow goes away soon, so I can get some things done before the weekend, when some more snow comes.

Dear god, this is ridiculous.

I need some unseasonably warm weather now. A week's worth, preferably, so I can thaw out.

Brrr.

Let Me Tell You About My Day

I had to take my dad for his respiratory test today, which I was informed, should have been done while he was in the hospital 3 weeks ago.

Can I get an argh please?

Came home to get him settled. Went to work.

The snow arrived.

Got sent home after about 3 hours.

Oh and the drivers side wiper on my car...DIED!

Deader than spam.

Need to buy a wiper blade.

Had to drive home from work, BLIND

Needless to say, I'm a little bit shaken, stirred and aggravated.

I also believe that all cars hate me.

So can I get an I hate snow from the peanut gallery?

I Need A Better Schedule

I wish there was a way we could add one or two more hours to the afternoon...After work hours, of course.

For all that I have done, I still have so much more to do...and the problem is..if I want to exercise and be healthy...I need to go to the gym. I can't do at home workouts and that includes going for a walk. I'm more faithful to the gym. Especially as the YMCA has a lending library. Books = exercise incentive. Strange but true.

So far, I have grocery shopping to do...one more load of laundry and a CD review that needs done in the next 10 days.

ARGH!

I get home around 4. I go to the gym by 4:30...and then I have grocery shopping to do..which means I get back to the house around 6....eat dinner...then try to cram everything else I need to do in the hours before 9:30..when I watch Mike and Molly. My only Monday show.

A few hours between 4 and 11 would be welcome.

I might even get some extra cleaning done.

HA!

I Have Accomplished Many Things

Today I managed to get a lot done.

Do I get a cookie?

I went to Starbucks, and had a great breakfast and coffee.

Did shopping at Walmart and Aldi.

Came home and cleaned the kitchen and when I say cleaned the kitchen, I mean really cleaned it.

I also did laundry and got dinner from La Fiesta here in the roi.

Mmm mmm.

It was a productive day. I'm so proud of myself.

Cold Snowy and Downright Blerghy

I'm totally sick of weather under 30 degrees and it is only the 8th of January. I'm also sick of snow. Granted, we've not had much, at least not as much as some of my friends closer to the coast have had, but I don't care. I am sick of it.

I'm sick of winter.

I'm crabby and cold.

It is only 18 degrees outside.

I have laundry to do, a kitchen to clean and I'm tired and sore and I just want to scream at people. (That means I also have PMS)

I would like to sleep somewhere for one night where I didn't have to pile on 5 blankets.

Sometimes I think I might be Amish.

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 songs that should never be covered....or should never be covered again!


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 Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps: I heard a woman screeching this song in a store the other day, and it pained me. This song belongs to George Harrison. He is dead. Leave it alone. His was the only voice meant to sing it. Nuff said.

2. Umbrella: This song was covered so much I forgot who even did it originally.

3. Beyonce - Single Ladies: Covers, spoofs...must stop...and NOW!

4. Most Elvis Costello songs, with a fewexceptions. If Nick Lowe wants to cover EC's music, he's allowed. So can Sir Paul...and Mrs. Costello and Alison Moyet...everyone else...NO!!

5. Duran Duran....all of them...don't cover DD. It doesn't work...

I would add not to cover The Moody Blues either but I get a lot of giggles from people covering Nights In White Satin....

Doctor Day

Today I'm taking dad to the doctor's for his after hospital check up.

We've called the office to see how things are running so we know how to deal with his oxygen. 

I'm so not looking forward to this.

I hate doctors.

All of them.

They make me nervous. Even when it isn't me seeing them.

On a plus, dad does sound a whole lot better. So let's keep our fingers crossed that today goes well.

Tuesday Tunes On A Wednesday Morning

From Music Memoirs

What are some of the musical things you are looking forward to in 2011?


I'm looking forward to getting physical copies of Duran Duran's latest CD All You Need Is Now in February. I'm also hoping they tour and come to the Burgh. I think they might be one of the only artists I'd go to see right now.
 
I'm also looking forward to getting physical copies of Over The Rhine's new CD and the two Keri Noble discs that came out in Sept 2010, but finances kept me from buying.
 
I'm also looking forward to discovering some new music. I have a resolution to listen to different genres and try to find 12 new artists that I really like this year that aren't necessarily in my comfort zone of music.
 
So if any of you  have some bands you think I might like but haven't heard of or tried, feel free to share them with me!!

Part 1 In Operation Organization

Today I clipped coupons and I discarded the ones I know that won't be used.

But wait there's more! I filed them away in a pocket organizer that has labels for the various types of products!

Yup yup! I did that!

I even used one of the coupons that I clipped today, saving $3.00 on the Boost drink we've been giving my dad so that he puts on some weight.

Funny when you are old, you can lose weight so easily...when you are young...you have to fight to keep it off.

How unfair is that?

I hope I can keep up with this, because it will reduce clutter in our house, (don't ask how long coupon circulars stay in our kitchen) and save us money.

I feel proud of myself right now.

Operation Organization Starts Now

I think I've mentioned that I want to be better organized in 2011. That means clearing up some of the junk that's in my house and sorting through the stuff that I want to keep and get it situated.

HA!

This could get ugly.

You have no idea how many CDs I've accumulated in the last few years, just for writing reviews.

Some of them I have no idea what to do with.

I have some children's CDs but I don't know of any kids that listen to "kids music." Most of the half pints in my life listen to regular music, much to my chagrin.

Not to mention some of the other discs of regular music I've received, some good, some great...some...well...you know where that's going.

I need to get some of the clutter out of my life. There's just way too much of it. 

Right after the holiday I took 4 garbage bags of old clothes to Goodwill, and I can probably stand to take some more soon.

~sigh~

Getting organized is no fun at all.

My Big Purchase Of The Day

I went to Peebles today armed with a $10 coupon and a will to spend some money.

Once there, I found a pair of Isotoner slippers for $11.00.

Do you know what that means?

I got a pair of fuzzy, warm slippers for $1!

Can I get a woo hoo for that?

They are $22.00 slippers and I only paid $1.00 for them!

I'm so proud of myself!

And my feet like me too, because they are all toasty and warm!

Secret Santa?

I just want to send a thank you out to the person who bought me Doctor Who Series 4, but decided to keep it a secret.

The package arrived the other day, but with nothing inside to indicate who purchased the DVD for me.

Wowzas!

I feel loved!

I think I have all the new who with the exception of the past season with The Eleventh Doctor. Woo hoo!

So to the mysterious gifter...

I thank you so very much! It made my Christmas a whole lot brighter!