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.

Tuesday Tunes: Week 160

From Music Memoirs

We haven't done a word association in awhile...and since its the Christmas season ....lets do holiday words.

For those that don't remember I give you 10 words and you tell me the first artist/song/album/instrument that comes to mind.

Sugar   Sugarland
Little  Little Town By Cliff Richard
Holly Holly Cole
Tree Maybe This Christmas Tree

Joy Joy To The World By Three Dog Night
Night Silent Night By Sixpence None The Richer
Cold The Coldest Night Of The Year By Elaine Paige
Home Home By Another Way (Album Version) By James Taylor
Travel Traveling Wilburys
Gift The Gift - Susan Boyle

The Best Book I've Read In A While

For those of you that like a bit of chicklit, I want to recommend a book called Planning To Live by Heather Wardell.

It is a very quick read, only about 220 pages long, but those twenty pages are wonderful.

Its about a woman (Rhiannon) who has spent most of her life planning for things. She struggles with her weight and hopes that when she's lost 40 pounds her life will be better. She'll look good in her bridesmaid dress and she won't embarrass her friend Sandra at her wedding, even though her weight doesn't matter to Sandra at all.

Heather Wardell really captures the way so many women feel.

I don't think I've ever loved a character in a book as much as Rhiannon.

I only wish that Fleetwood Mac song wouldn't have gotten stuck in my head while I was reading it!

2010 Christmas Mix

I'm done early this year...now to get the house ready...



Artist:Various Artists
Album: It Came Upon A Christmas Mix (97 MB)
Genre: A Bit Of Everything
Tracklisting:
Puppini Sisters - Step Into Christmas
Susan Boyle - Do You Hear What I Hear
Lady Antebellum - On This Winter's Night
Wilson Phillips - When A Child Is Born
Robbers On High Street - Season's Greetings
Nancy Sinatra - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Mirabilis - Riu Riu Chiu
Tori Amos - Snow Angel
Patty Loveless - O Come All Ye Faithful
Chris Isaak - Christmas On Tv
Celtic Thunder - Baby, Its Cold Outside
Pink Martini - A Snow Globe Christmas
Annie Lennox - Universal Child
BJ Thomas - O Holy Night
Rhonda Vincent - Christmas Time At Home
Micky Dolenz - O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Norah Jones - Peace
S Club 7 - Perfect Christmas
Darius Rucker - Candy Cane Christmas
Lady Gaga - Christmas Tree
Britney Spears - My Only Wish (This Year)
Faith Hill - What Child Is This

Left Over Mashed Potatoes Anyone?

 I found this recipe on my Giant Eagle receipt. I made it yesterday and the results were really delicious. A great easy way to deal with left over mashed potatoes that are never nearly as good the second day.

It says it makes 8 but I like smaller cakes so mine made about 12...The oldest nephew declared this a winner.


2 cups chilled mashed potatoes
2 eggs, slightly beaten, (separate bowls)
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1/2 cup flour for dredging
1 cup Kikkoman Panko Bread Crumbs
3 table spoons vegetable oil for pan frying

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine potatoes, one egg, onion and black pepper. Divide potato mixture into 8 equal portions. Use your hands to form 1/2 inch thick patties. Dredge patties in flour, then in egg and coat with Panko Bread Crumbs. Meanwhile heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add potato patties to the hot oil. Cook until well browned, turn with a spatula and brown on the other side.

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 Musical things that you'd get up at the butt crack of dawn to get


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. Tickets to see Erasure (Not that this will ever be a problem. These guys don't come to my fair or not so fair city)

2. A good deal on either a 64 GB iPod Touch or the 160 iPod Classic. Sadly there's no such thing as Apple doesn't allow these items to really go on sale much. PAH!

3. A great laptop with loads of hard drive space for my music, because I'm really lazy about getting stuff on my netbook.

4. A pair of headphones for my mp3 players that weren't totally uncomfortable!!! or always falling out of my ears. Do they make such a thing?

5. All the special edition Monkees CDs...assuming Rhino would make them available again.

Happy Thanksgiving!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Sorry turkey! You shouldn't be so darn tasty! However, since I've met you. I won't eat you. I'll eat a turkey I've never seen before. Feel better?

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

Eat Drink and Be Merry and Thankful!

Doctors Annoy Me

I had to take mom and dad to their primary care doctors yesterday. Their appointments were @ 3:15 and 3:45, but the doctor usually sees them together.

We arrived at the office around 3 o'clock, early for both appointments, right?

Oye!

I knew that they were going to be awhile, when I saw a waiting room overflowing. So I went to KMart (10 minute drive from the office) to buy our Christmas tree.

Came back at about 3:45, which is the time my Dad's appointment was scheduled for. They are both still sitting there. I then said I was going to take the tree home, and I'd be back. Drove home, another 10 minutes there and back. It is now 4:20, and guess what? They still aren't in for their appointment!!

They both went in about 10 minutes later and didn't finish up until about 5:30!!!

Can I get an ARGH please?

Doctor's have no regard for time.

I truly think that when patients are made to wait over an hour for their appointments they should at least have the decency of apologizing for the wait.

It is a good thing most of the people in the waiting room were there for wellness visits, because if any of them passed on germs...I think I would have gone ballistic!!!

Christmas Mix CD Making

Last weekend I started making the Christmas CD cards that I mail to some friends and post here for all my internet friends to snag.

I hope to have it done by Black Friday. I have about 6 songs on this one. I'm doing my best not to duplicate songs from year to year, which gets difficult because there are some artists that I absolutely love.

If it really were up to me, The Moody Blues' Don't Need A Reindeer would be on every Christmas CD along with Elvis Costello's St Stephen's Day Murders. The Pogues' Fairytale of New York would be there too. These are some of my favorite not so classic holiday tunes.

But there's always room for something different, right?

This year there's a Christmas CD by Annie Lennox, and I finally got a copy of Tommy James' I Love Christmas. So expect songs from those CDs to make it on the disc.

I can't wait to finish it up and get them sent and posted for you guys.

Music is really what makes my Christmas...

Oh and Christmas books!

The Funniest Song Ever!!!

S.J. Tucker's Salad Of Doom!

Up A Tree

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Originally uploaded by moodylady

Miss Tabby, one of the bazillion feral cats that have discovered the wonderfulness of my back yard, decided that the maple tree was a really cool place to sit.

She climbed to the top at least three times, crazy kitty that she is, giving me palipations

Miss Callie used to climb that tree alot before we convinced her that inside was the best place for kitties to be.

Just an FYI to those of you that feel that cats should go outside; the life expectancy for outdoor cats is less than half of that for indoor cats.

Camera Critters!

If you want to play along with Camera Critters just go here

Tis the season...or it will be at the end of next week...for reindeer to play...

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 overplayed songs that you still enjoy listening to


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'm going to do a slightly countrified version this week, since I've been listening to country radio at work.

1. Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
2. Zac Brown Band w/Alan Jackson - As She's Walking Away
3. The Band Perry - If I Die Young
4. Darius Rucker - Come Back Song
5. Keith Urban - Put You In A Song

If you turn on any country radio station, I can guarantee that you will hear any of these in any given hour.

Palin in 2012

For the love of God, is there no sanity in this country?

And then this batshit insane woman says she can beat Obama in 2012!!

I don't think any words have scared me as much as those.

I mean, isn't there a requirement that you should have to have at least half a brain cell before you can become president?

If there isn't....someone amend the constitution so that this can be so.

Of course if we entered that into law...and extended it to congress and the senate....well I can guarantee you that we wouldn't have many elected officials, cos I'm pretty sure most of them would be ousted immediately upon the Catscans coming up NEGATIVE!!!

I'm so sick of politics making me feel twitchy.

I'm Jealous Of Will and Kate

Its so disgusting when two people the same age...fall in love and live happily ever after. It is even more disgusting when it is two people who will have the title King and Queen at some point in time in their lives.

AGH!

I think, even though its not quite the sweet looking thing that we saw with Charles and Diana back in the 80s, because thankfully, these two got to know each other and are really in love, it is still so digustingly wonderful.

Both of them are gorgeous. (Thanks to Princess Diana for the good genes that stopped him from looking too much like his dad)

Which leaves me wondering...how in gods name do  the ugly genes take over in the royals!!

Thankfully they are starting to marry..erm...some more unique genes.

Still, this is the wedding that so many little girls dream of; a handsome prince charming, and Wills really has that Prince Charming look.

Plus, he gave her his mum's ring.

How freaking sweet is that?

GAH!!

Where's my Prince Charming!!

I demand he show up now!

With a ring like that!!!

~sigh~

Burning Out On TV

This seasons shows really aren't doing anything for me. At least this years US shows. Most of the stuff I find from the UK I really enjoy.

Castle has been boring me silly this season.

Big Bang Theory is rather Ho Hum!

I hate Two And A Half Men, and wish Charlie Sheen would go to jail for awhile so that this show would go away.

Law and Order....dullsville

CSI...same thing.

BTW how many spinoff shows can we have here!

Right now I'm enjoying Mike & Molly, The Middle, Better With You, Modern Family, Shit My Dad Says and Psych.

That said, I can't wait til Christmas when Doctor Who comes back for a few episodes and the Eureka Christmas special

The Word Of The Day: Fuqua

Fuqua, its a fancy word you say when you want to say Fuck, but really shouldn't.

My dad has had a cold for the last two days. Its more like a sinus infection, but its been wearing him down, and it doesn't help matters that he has COPD. (emphasyma).

So my mum gives him cough syrup, which then causes him to to go into a coughing fit, leaving me to wonder if I'm going to be spending the next 5 hours in the ER.

I wish she's just let him suck on his cough drops.

At least he's sounding a bit better now.

I lost a few years off my life dealing with it.

At the rate things are going, I'll be dead by next year, and they'll live for another 15!!

Fuqua!

My New Favorite Video

This song is so fun and cute..and the cowboy is hot.




Laura Bell Bundy has actually appeared in a few Broadway shows, Legally Blonde being one of them.  I find it really funny that she is a country singer, but actually a pretty good one.

I think I'm going to watch the video again...and maybe again...That cowboy sure do have a purdy face!

Camera Critters

It's time for the Camera Critters meme, because we all know how much I like animals

Here are some photos of one of the bazillion kitties that come and eat on our porch. Apparently we serve the best cat food in town.

This is Miss Tabby




and this is another gorgeous little one that comes every day for noms

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 Artists You Never Expected To Like But You Do


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. Zac Brown Band: I like more country music now than ever before, mostly because it really isn't pure country. I think I really didn't like the band's name. It screamed redneck to me. Then I heard them do As She's Walking Away on the CMA's this week and I was in love.

2. Mika: When his first album came out, I dismissed him. Didn't bother to listen. Then I heard We Are Golden. I was an instant convert.

3. Mitchel Musso: I never ever thought I'd like a Disney kid, but this one can really sing and they aren't trying to make him into the next best thing, so he might stand a chance.

4. Diana Krall: OK, I just wanted to hate her, cos she is married to "The Man". However after listening to The Girl In The Other Room, I gave up trying to hate her, and fell in love with the whole Krallstello thing.

5. Lady Gaga: I love to hate her, but damn it her music is catchy and I can't totally hate on her. Though I think I will always wish she'd just go away....so I don't get any more of her earworms stuck in my head...Papa ...Paparazzi

Behold The Power Of Coffee

I have totally fallen in love with the new Carmel Mocha Latte at McDonald's. I still can't believe all the good coffee costs $3.50 and if it's from Starbucks or some other fancy coffee place it is more like $5.00.

Oye!

I never thought I'd spend that kind of money on a drink that didn't have alcohol in it!

What is funny is that places like Sheetz and my Exxon  Buy N' Fly have great coffee too at much cheaper prices, but I'm seldom there when the need for caffiene strikes.

Go figure.

So tell me, what is your favorite coffee and what's the most you've ever spent on a cup o' Joe.

BTW the best coffee I've had was in Berlin, OH at Java Joe's

Murphy's Law

If I have to go to Pittsburgh for my boss, it will be a beautiful sunny day in the city.

If I go to Pittsburgh to spend the day there it will be overcast or cloudy.

Why is this?

I am in firm belief that I am allowed to have no joy.

I had to drop something off in the city for him...remember that the city is about 30 miles from where I live and work. I couldn't stop for lunch, even though he shipped me off at about 12:15 pm. I got stuck in construction and I had to pass all the places I love to go on the way in and out: Crazy Mocha, Pita Pit, Quadbo, Cheesecake Factory, Primantis, Buca, Hard Rock..do I need to go on.

There's really a certain amount of unfairness to all of this.

Oh and the Christmas lights were up at Station Square.

Grrrr

Wow!

I had nothing to say yesterday. I think that's a first in a very long time.

I guess it had to do with running around like a fool after work, which is becoming a regular occurrence and then fighting for the shower, which shouldn't be a regular occurrence but it is, getting to the Y to get my exercise in and then flopping down on the couch to watch Mike and Molly.

I lead a very exciting life, don't I?

I think it is because I'm sick of politics...because politics makes me sick.

Entertainment news is so bleh.

Billy Ray and Tish are the only thing amusing me.

Why?

Some stars fight over money...they are going to fight over the kid....just the one...the one that makes more money than they ever did.

LOL.

Then Janelle reminded me of Conan...I can't say it enough...I freaking can't stand Conan O'Brien. Actually I can't stand any late night shows...seriously...go to bed people.

On a happier note...

Psych is back tomorrow night and it looks like we'll be getting a Christmas episode!! Woo hoo!

Powell's Books!

Have any of you done any online shopping at Powell's Books?

It looks like an interesting online shop and unlike so many of the big book retailers online, it seems to be all books.

All kinds of books. OK, they have lots of the Doctor Who books and that makes me so excited, since these are a pain in the butt to find here. Plus so many of them have those beautiful covers with David Tennant on them.

Any book with David Tennant on the cover is a good book in my eyes.

Actually they can put Matt Smith on the cover too. He's not a bad looking bloke!

So if any of you want to make me happy this

Meet The Ferals

At some point in the last month or two, our neighborhood has acquired some feral cats. Or half feral, as they aren't totally afraid of humans. They are happy enough to eat the food we leave them on the porch.

I'm trying to figure out a way to possibly get them fostered out so they can find homes.

But right now I am a totally crazy cat lady, with my passel of puddy cats and a feral cat colony.

Here are two of them.