Friday, August 31, 2007

Little to say...

Oddly, I have little to say today...so I'll let others speak.

A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done. --Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of US 1953-1961 (1890 - 1969)

Enjoy the long weekend!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Fortune Says...

It's been an interesting few days, so I decided to inquire what my fortune would be today. Really, what?

My Fortune Cookie told me:
On Thurday the 25th, you will attract a maniacal groupie.
Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

Monday, August 27, 2007

Murphy

The big move was the past weekend. Murphy’s little laws were hard at work. If it could go wrong... it did. Two trailers and two truck loads full, I finally made the big move. The morning began at 5am and by 12pm, I was ready to give up. I mean really if there was potential for a problem it happened, unbelievable! Everything from not being able to fit everything in one trip, therefore two round trips and several arm loads, to a bed that apparently is too large to make the turn to the upstairs in the new townhouse. I have now been told this is a chronic issue in these older townhouses and many have had to cut the boxes springs to get them to go up the stairs. There was no cutting on my part, but there was a lot of tight straps, pushing, pulling, cursing, and finally a bit of ceiling gone later, it made it up. Now, the interesting part will be the next move out of the townhouse and how to get it back down the stairs, but I’m not going to think about that too much right now. I have loads of bruises and sore muscles, little sleep, and poor diet to make me a bit grumpy and put off today, but I’m sure that as soon as I can see my the floor in at least one room of the house, I’ll feel a lot better.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Apparently a Camera was Present...

I was joking at the end of the post concerning my birthday about pictures, I didn't actually think any existed. However, this morning I received a lovely email from Ms. N and attached were a few moments captured on film from the Byrne's evening. I had no idea there was a camera and the photos of my inebriated self are not too pretty, but I will share for the sake of "keep'n it real". *big grin*

Ms. H, who I had not seen in 14-15 years, arrived in style. Very excited Ms. H was able to attend-she's upper fun.

Good grief Mr. J what in the world do you find so funny that is frightening me-well, the list is likely endless, please forget I asked and lets move on.

As the night drew on, I'm sure I had LOTS to say. Here it appears I'm attempting to make a very important point. I do remember repeating the phrase, "That's all I'm going to say", over and over again. I'm not sure why.

However, when you view the same picture in black and white I appear to be a philosopher and this picture could easily be see on a book jacket--I'm sure discussing the horrors of Chechnya. (of course channeling Bridget and the need to ooze intelligence)

However if one plays with photoshop too much-fun Irish Pub turns into French Disco-Tech.

Ms. A almost escapes the camera but Ms. N is not going to allow it! You go Ms. N. However, I notice Ms. N did not capture any photos of herself-clever, very clever.

Obviously as the evening progressed the natives became violent. Here another Ms. H (they are EVERYWHERE) is trying her best to KILL me and is enjoying every minute of it. Where are my peeps, my cronies, my mates?

By the end of the evening, I was Queen of the World or at least the table. Thank goodness now that I'm in my 30's I can handle my liquor (me and Ms. Jones).

Oh what will year 32 bring-I hope many, many more wonderful moments like these. If I can just get through the next week or so with this crazy move and a boy who suddenly has stopped calling (what the hell is up with that) and one that will not stop calling, but I'm not going to go there. I hope you enjoyed the photos, laughed with me-laughed at me, at least smiled a bit.

Happy FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Class of 2011

Beloit College in Wisconsin produces a list yearly, identifying the “Mindset” of the incoming freshman class. They recently published the “Mindset List" for the Class of 2011. I just wanted to feel a little bit older after just celebrating a birthday. Most of the members of the incoming college freshman class this year were born in 1989. 1989!!! I was 14, a freshman in high school and these cats were just coming into the world. The Beloit list includes 70 items. I just pulled out a few for your enjoyment.

* What Berlin wall?

* Humvees, minus the artillery, have always been available to the public

* Nelson Mandela has always been free and a force in South Africa

* Pete Rose has never played baseball

* Fox has always been a major network

* They drove their parents crazy with the Beavis and Butt-head laugh

* Smoking has never been allowed in public spaces in France

* MTV has never featured music videos

* They never saw Johnny Carson live on television

* The World Wide Web has been an online tool since they were born

* Food packaging has always included nutritional labeling

So there ya go, the night the Berlin wall was chipped away at and the people were crying for their freedom is lost on these kids. Pete Rose was banned from baseball the year they were born, for them it’s--Pete who? WWW.whatever has always existed for them, wow! Now I did do the Beavis and Butt-head laugh also, so I guess I’m not THAT much older than they are. It’s simply interesting for me as a Student Affairs professional-and I do try to be professional at work-to sit day in and day out with these guys and think about these things.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Soaked to the bone….

Ok-so I woke up this morning to a lovely thunderstorm. This has happened a few times the past couple of weeks, at least this time it was almost time for me to actually get out of bed. I waited a few to see if the lightening was going to stop, when it didn’t I braved the shower anyway-I just simply can not wake up without a quality shower. The storm continued throughout my morning routine. I managed to get myself out to the car dry since the rain had stopped and had a fairly peaceful, yet slow drive into work. The rain had picked back up again, but it did not create too much of a problem. Just as I am arriving to campus another storm decides to go through, thunder, lightening, downpour. I get my car parked and think-ah it’s only a quick walk to my office, it will be fine, I do have my trusty umbrella. Well-the umbrella was practically a waste, at almost the exact time I start my brief walk the skies open up and even more rain pours down. So there I was sitting, shirt off (replaced by jacket left in office), socks off, toes cold, paper towels in shoes, pants soaked, hair damp, and wishing I could just crawl back in bed and start the morning over. I was sure it was a Monday and not Wednesday!

At lunch, I called a friend who lives close by and happened to be home today. She is a lovely person who allowed me to go over and dry my cloths. Thank goodness for friends and modern technology!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Posters, Posters, Posters...

I was asked to create a poster that would represent our departments majors. I feel like I have done a darn good job. *grin* Below is the finished product. They are framed and will be hanging in our lobby as soon as the moving crew comes to do the other changes in our office. Maybe my next career will be in graphic design. Please note the text shows a bit blurry on the jpeg, but not on the actual prints, tricky, very tricky.



Monday, August 20, 2007

Fun Filled Birthday Weekend

The birthday celebrations began Friday, dinner with the marrieds. Ang, Ms. Rachel Ray herself, served up a lovely grilled chicken dish followed by a very rich brownie cake. Ah-the tummy was a tremendously happy camper. Although the guys beat us at movie trivia, we were very close behind, so it was not complete humiliation.

Saturday started early with a drive to Dayton for the bridal shower and picking up the orange, yes, I say orange bridesmaids dress to be worn at the end of September. The damn thing is too big so will need alternations, I guess this is karma getting back at me for complaining about the first dress choice so much. I will have pics of the orange dress likely from wedding pics. Having returned to the bride-to-be home again, we left Dayton dresses in tow. A quick hour or so in Pataskala and then off to Byrnes for birthday celebrations. A small group gathered in the corner booth at Byrnes and although, I continued to become more obnoxious as the night drew to early morning, everyone seemed to tolerate me and did not abandon ship.

Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes that could not attend the festivities and many thanks to those who braved the night at Byrnes.

(No pics sorry...I decided to save the innocent)

Friday, August 17, 2007

August 18th....Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

Ok, so my birthday is not until tomorrow, but I don't do Saturday posts, so I must tut my horn today! Happy Birthday to all the Leos out there!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

How Irish are You?

You can find out the answer to this question by clicking on the link at the very bottom of the page. According to the little test you take, I'm very Irish, should be from Ireland even. Darn my sister for not having an Irish name, that would have put me up to 80%, I think. Oh well, getting prepped for birthday weekend.

Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Can a Fred Win?

One a talk radio show this morning there was discussion on the fact that there has never been a presidential candidate named Fred. I didn’t know there was one running in 2008, so I did a bit of research this morning. It appears there is a potential republican candidate that indeed is named Fred. Fred Dalton Thompson, former Senator and current District Attorney on the popular NBC Law & Order, has not officially entered the rat race, but has apparently thrown his name out there. In my bit of research, I also discovered he has a birthday coming up this Sunday one day after mine.

Now, I have to say, nothing against Fred Dalton Thompson, but I’m not so sure I’m a fan of the name Fred. Ok, really, I can only think of one reference to a Fred and that was a box turtle I found in the field at my parents house when I was in high school or just out-can’t remember exactly. Anyway, Fred was your typical turtle, he eat fruit and bugs and mostly hung out in his little box. He was a friendly sort he would sit in your lap and let you pet the top of his little head and he would seem as content as Maggie in a paper sack. Anyway, one day I had Fred out and he was climbing up my arm as he had done multiple times in the past, however, something spooked him or he suddenly thought I was lunch because he bit down on my neck. Only he did not just bite, he attached, I tell you that Fred was not letting go for anything. I was walking around trying to stay calm with a turtle dangling from my neck. It hurt like a ****** ******! Finally, when it appeared that Fred was not going to let go on his own, my Dad had to pry Fred’s mouth open just enough to get him off me, it almost didn’t work and Fred almost lost his head, but he released and was put back in the box. I had a horrible bruise on my neck for a couple of weeks and I lost my affection for Fred. I do believe I released him back to the field. He had come from there and he could fend for himself again. I tried to give him a life of luxury and such; I didn’t see him finding fresh strawberries on his own too often is all I’m saying.

Anyway-based on this Fred factor, I just have to say, I’m not so sure Fred Dalton Thompson will have my vote, but then again I guess maybe not all Fred’s are alike.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Ah, Monday Again...

Weekend was filled with grinding feed, carry sacks, packing, and video games at Gameworks. Of course, the Gameworks time was much more enjoyable than the craziness at the mill and packing.

Monday started off late, so delayed arrival at the work place, but all is good with a short vending machine lunch.

Decisions were made for Saturday-the gathering spot will be Byrnes. If you need details, just let me know.

Happy Monday All!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Did you know?

The year I was born…

*The Godfather Part II won Best Picture

*Robert De Niro won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in The Godfather Part II

*Record of the Year was I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton-John

*Song of Year was The Way We Were

*Miss America was Shirley Cothran from Texas-doesn’t Texas always win?

Just a bit more random trivia for you.

Have a TERIFFIC weekend kids!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

More Birthday Trivia...

These actors will be celebrating their special day along with me.

*Robert Redford will be 70

*Patrick Swayze will be 55

*Denis Leary will be 50

*Edward Norton will be 38

*I will be 32.....YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No wonder I don't get carted any more, so sad.

Michelle had a nice guess at 1985, but alas no, this is not correct. Although I do believe we were born the same year-of course she looks fabulous-and I guess I just told her age. Opps.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Toothpicks…I need Toothpicks NOW!

The past 4 days have been a whirlwind and the coffee is not cutting it this morning, I’m going to need toothpicks to keep my eyes open. I will not bore you will all the details, I’ll just give the highlights.

1. Ohio brought August in with it’s typical charm-90 plus days all weekend long and I ,like a goof, decided to spend every waking minute in the heat!

2. The Dublin Irish Fest! I could go on and on, but I’ll just point to the pictures below. I did help make history as part of the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people doing the Irish Jig at the same time, 10,000 plus.

3. Buying furniture-the start of roots, I’m scared and am ready to return new nice furniture
4. Picking up new furniture-mishaps and mulitiple trips

5. The Ohio State Fair-pigs, hypnotist, tigers, apple dumplings, and miles of midway

6. Late nights, EARLY mornings

7. Sweat, sweat, gallons of ice tea, more sweat, tired toes, more sweat

8. HAPPY, HAPPY Camper!!!!!

Someone P L E A S E pass me more coffee and those Toothpicks!

10,000 plus do the jig to make history!

The Mickey Finns-love them, love THEM, and LOVE THEM!!!!!!!

Bag Pippers-what a lovely sound

The Prodigals

End of the Evening-Flogging Molly-and I didn't see any arrests

One HAPPY Irish Camper! Everyone loves an IRISH girl!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Birthdays…

I will be celebrating a birthday soon. I thought I would give you a bit of trivia about the year I was born and see if you can figure it out.

This year in history:

*a stamp cost $.10, but later changed to $.13 later in the year

*The Cincinnati Reds beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in the World Series

*Saturday Night Live (SNL) premiered on NBC

*VCR’s were developed in Japan by Sony –Betamax and VHS

Ok-this was a bad idea. This makes me sound much older than I really am, but according to the lovely internet these are true facts for the year I was born.

Have a GREAT weekend Kids! I'll see ya at the Irish Fest!

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies…Recipe as Promised

1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 ¾ cup oats
1 egg-beaten
1 ½ cups flour
¾ cup shortening (or I used a healthy oil, Omega 3, it’s a combo of canola, oil, and sunflower)
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

Optional
1 cup nuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup chocolate chips (I added this to the recipe)

*Preheat oven to 400 degrees
*In mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt
*Add and mix shortening (or oil), stir until crumbly
*Stir in egg, pumpkin, oats, and (raisins, nuts, chocolate chips)
*Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto an un-greased cookie sheet
*Bake 15 minutes or until done (I love when recipe say bake until done-well how do I know when done is if I have never made it before, well it did take the 15 minutes and they were firm to the touch.)

If you have an extra can of pumpkin in your cabinets and you are need to use it up, this is a nice easy, tasty recipe to help you out. Recipe courtesy of The Circleville Pumpkin Festival Recipe Book.
Yummy!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Wednesday...Reflection on Domestic Self

Monday evening I decided to be a bit domestic and make cookies. I'm moving at the end of the month and am doing my best to clean out the cabinets so I have less to move. The cookies were Pumpkin Oatmeal, not bad but I decided to add a twist on part of them and make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies. Chocolate is a wonderful addition to any cookie. Anyway-I will do my best to post the recipe later this week. Being domestic is not so bad as long as I'm cooking for someone else. I just don't see the point of going to a lot of trouble for one person.