angelamayolson.com

2009-12-23T23:06:00.002-06:00

I can't say that I agree with this map in its entirety, however I find it incredibly amusing anyway.

I love Fail Blog so much. Never "fails" to make me laugh!!!

2009-08-01T14:27:00.001-05:00

I Heart Tofu

2009-04-18T14:49:00.001-05:00

I love this article.......

DENVER (AP), April 8th, 2009- One Colorado woman's love for tofu has been judged X-rated by state officials. Kelly Coffman-Lee wanted to tell the world about her fondness for bean curd by picking certain letters for her SUV's license plate. Her suggestion for the plate: "ILVTOFU." But the Division of Motor Vehicles blocked her plan because they thought the combination of letters could be interpreted as profane.

Says Department of Revenue spokesman Mark Couch: "We don't allow 'FU' because some people could read that as street language for sex."

Officials meet periodically to ensure state plates stay free of letters that abbreviate gang slang, drug terms or obscene phrases.

The 38-year-old Coffman-Lee says tofu is a staple of her family's diet because they are vegan and that the DMV misinterpreted her message.

The Associated Press.

Dummies....

2009-03-24T21:11:00.004-05:00

Laughter sponsored by Borders.

How to Avoid Wasting Time on Facebook

2009-01-16T02:42:00.003-06:00

As a recent participant in the world of Facebook, I found this wikiHow hysterical and informative...yes very informative.

**********************
Some people love to use Facebook to keep in touch with friends. However, Facebook seems to be set up to try to draw you in and spend (waste) more time there, and to get your friends to spend more time there. If you just want to use it to keep in touch with people, renew contact with old friends, and just maybe do some networking, here are some ways to avoid wasting too much time.

1. Ignore requests.
When someone sends you a request, you may not be able to see the full details of the request. You may wonder if it's important, or interesting. But if you really just want to check out the networks and not get completely into the more frivolous activities (playing vampires and werewolves, for example) then don't feel you have to respond to those requests. They do take time.

a. Leave a note (in your status, on your "wall...") that explains you often won't reply to most requests.

b. Remember, a lot of Facebook applications send requests to all friends by default, so your friends may not really be expecting you to respond.

c. On your "confirm requests" page, you don't have to click "ignore" on every request. Scan the page, see if there's anything of value - e.g. any old friends you're happy to heard from - and after you've approved them, click "Ignore all" near the top right.

2. Stop the constant emails:

a. Click settings (top right) and choose Account settings, then the Notifications. Switch most of the options to "off". You may have to click Show more at the bottom to select for all applications, and you may need to do this again when you add new applications.

b. Alternatively, use an email filter so you don't get distracted by frequent emails from Facebook. Just go to the site regularly enough to catch stuff that you are interested in. Check the requests and notifications on the site itself - if you're a few days late it generally won't matter.

b1. Simple filter example: filter out anything from facebook.com. E.g. if you use Gmail, make a filter and for "From:" enter @facebookmail.com, and in the next step choose "Skip the Inbox (Archive it)".

b2. You might make an exception for emails for certain types of notifications, e.g. with the text added you as a friend on Facebook, if you don't want to risk missing friend requests. E.g. in Gmail, when you're setting up the filter, for "Doesn't have:" enter "added you as a friend on Facebook". (You can add more than one phrase using OR and putting quotes around each complete phrase.)

3. Avoid games and third-party applications (apps).
Playing games, decorating your profile, and rating your friends will suck up your time before you know it.

Bring a timer with you to the computer. Whether it's the timer on your watch, or an actual kitchen timer that "dings" when the time is up, make it a habit to start the clock as soon as you get on Facebook, and get off as soon as your time is up. Fifteen minutes might be a healthy amount of time to spend on a Facebook session.

5. If all else fails, quit Facebook.

A new battery for the Saturn

2009-01-13T21:57:00.005-06:00

Last Friday before leaving for Iowa, Nick and I went to get an instant oil change for my Saturn and were informed that a) my battery was on its way out b) my serpentine belt was cracked c) my car was in desperate need of a radiator flush and d)one of my high beams was out.

Now, of course, the lovely men at the instant oil change shop were willing to make all my problems go away (except for the high beam as they didn't have it in stock), but their prices were a bit exorbitant.

Luckily, Nick isn't all brawn and no brains. Today, he substituted my six year old car battery for a shiny new one and purchased a new head light for $12.99. The serpentine belt isn't in dire shape just yet and even if it was, it isn't a difficult repair to make according to the guy at the auto parts store. As for the radiator flush, I will need to get that done soon, but there are ton of deals being offered at the auto repair shops in my area.

Yikes, it appears another crisis has been averted.

Fewer divorces in a bad economy

2009-01-13T05:13:00.002-06:00

Article written by Marty Orgel for MarketWatch

The potentially huge cost of splitting up is causing a growing number of couples to tough out bad marriages, even if they have to live in separate bedrooms.

The recession and economic turmoil is creating a new class of casualties: married couples who can't afford to get divorced. In these tough times, many people are finding it's cheaper to stay together, even when they can't stand each other.

"The reason that the economy has such an enormous impact on divorce is that most people in the middle-income brackets are getting by on whatever income they have. They're just getting by," said Bonnie Booden, a family-law and divorce attorney in Phoenix.

A major factor in the divorce downturn, Booden said, is that divorcing couples have to establish two households with current funds -- sometimes a prohibitive factor in hard economic times.

Booden said half of her clients are seeking consultation because the couples can't afford to get divorced. They want to know what other options they might have.

"I tell them about the process, about the cost and what a reasonable outcome might be. And once they hear the cost, and especially how you have to duplicate two households on the same money that currently funds one household, they try to think about some other options," Booden said.

Splitting bedrooms and kids
Some clients have split up bedrooms and continued to live in the same house, she said. Some share child care duties so they don't have to deal with each other and plan to live that way until they can figure out what to do.

"And I've had people who just throw in the towel and get divorces anyway, creating financial ruin for themselves," Booden said.

Circuit courts across the country report downturns in the number of divorce and separation filings. Cook County's Circuit Court in Chicago saw a 5% decrease in filings -- about 600 cases -- in the first three quarters of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. Similar drops have been reported in other cities across the country.

This domestic situation was also confirmed by a poll by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The group surveyed its members -- all divorce lawyers -- and found that 37% of them had seen a decrease in the number of couples seeking divorces, while just 19% had experienced an increase in divorce cases.

Gary Nickelson, the president of the group, said people are just "toughing it out" and putting off decisions to divorce until the economy gets better.

"We're in a perfect storm as far as the divorce business is concerned," Nickelson said. "It's not a surprise to me. That's been my experience over the last 35 years. When you have an economic downturn, people are not so quick to change their situation."

Out of options
Some people who come to Booden's office have come from marriage counselors, she said. By the time these couples get to her, she said, they've pretty much run out of options.

Typically, she said, she tries to arrange a deal in which both parties continue to own their house. She'll split up the equity and apply an interest rate to it to make it reasonable to the person not living in the house, and then distribute the cash when the house is sold after the kids go to college.

"People have to realize the financial meltdown changed everything," she said.

That sentiment was echoed by Nickelson. "As long as stocks and financials and major assets are down, you're probably going to see a lot of people wait to file for divorce. There's a lot of fear in filing for divorce," he said. "I think that cuts across all genders, races and all social-economic ranges."

Published Jan. 12, 2009

Freecycle Request (TOO FUNNY!!)

2009-01-03T02:43:00.001-06:00

From: freecycleMpls@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:freecycleMpls@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of paxattacks
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 5:47 PM
To: freecycleMpls@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [freecycleMpls] Wanted: Compaq Presario V6000 laptop keyboard

Long story made short -- I spilled juice on my laptop and after taking
out the keyboard and cleaning it, my boyfriend thought that it would
be a good idea to dry it in the oven. It melted, now I need to replace
it.

If you happen to have a spare keyboard of this type lying around, or a
Compaq V6000 laptop that is broken or not used for whatever reason, I
would love to take it off your hands.

Resolute-Shuns!

2009-01-02T23:36:00.003-06:00

Once again, I am resolution free this year. I'm not going to vow to loose weight, exercise more, eat better, make new friends, learn to play a musical instrument, speak a foreign language, find a better job, reduce my global footprint or anything else. Why? Because I have to look in the mirror in the morning (well, afternoon really) and like myself and I certainly can't do that if I keep making absurd promises that I have not even the slightest intention of keeping!!

So, in lieu of a New Year's resolution, I will call 2009 "The year of Minnesota" and live thus.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T19:25:00.004-06:00

Ad Tunes: Where were you when I needed you?

2008-12-26T16:02:00.004-06:00

A few years back, Jetta released a commercial w/ the song Molly's Chambers by Kings of Leon featured in it. I really liked the music, but I had no idea (at the time) what the name of the song was or the band that played it or the brand of car advertised in the commercial. (Yes, my memory stinks even though I do all kinds of memory enhancing activities like crossword puzzles.)

Anyway, I did an internet search and nada. I got nothing. Probably because my search consisted of typing in "car commercial" and a few jumbled words from the song. After my massive failure at an internet search, I did the only reasonable thing to do in troubled times, I bugged my friends about it until one of them (thank you, Jaime) came up with an answer.

Luckily, the next time I have this problem (oh, and there will be a next time) I can use a site like Ad Tunes instead of bugging my friends. Aw, what the heck. I'm gonna bug my friends anyway.

Please be careful when utilizing this site though because it is easy to get sucked in for hours and hours.

New Yorker Cartoon

2008-12-25T19:29:00.002-06:00

This cartoon is both funny and sad....

Merry Mythmas Quiz

2008-12-25T15:30:00.005-06:00

It's time for another quiz! I suck at these for the most part, but who cares, right? It's not like someone is keeping score. (Shhhh...I'm totally, secretly, keeping score!!)

For many Americans, the Christmas season is marked by good cheer, gift-giving, and ... the spreading of myths and urban legends. See if you can separate yuletide myth from fact. Questions and answers provided by the Discovery Channel.

1. The modern-day image of Santa Claus--a chubby, bearded man in a red-and-white suit--was created by the Coca-Cola Company.
(a) true or (b) false
I'm going to say (a) on this one because Santa is seriously, like, the greatest marketing tool to ever be created! The Easter bunny tries, but you can only eat so much candy, plus hard boiled eggs are relatively inexpensive.

2. The day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year in the United States.
(a) true or (b) false
This one has to be (a). Too many people are hung over after the St. Patty's day, Easter (Let me explain the cause and effect relationship behind this one: Kids eat large amounts of sugar and parents drink large amounts of alcohol to cope.) the 4th of July, Christmas and New Year's so Thanksgiving does make sense.

3. Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25 because that's when Jesus was born.
(a) true or (b) false
Was it Jesus or Santa? Just kidding, Jimmy Buffett was born on December 25th, but I don't think that is why we celebrate Christmas, maybe New Years though. Ok (a) it is!

4. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa and his reindeer across the sky every year on Christmas Eve.
(a) true or (b) false
Ok, do you remember in high school when you would take a true or false test and you had too many answers of the same type in a row and you would start to get suspicious. Well, I'm starting to get suspicious so I am going with (b) on this one. Doesn't NORAD have more important things to do anyway like spy on Paris Hilton? I know she is somewhere doing something that we all need to know about or else we'll all die.

5. The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created as a holiday promotion for a department store.
(a) true or (b) false
Is nothing sacred? Is Rudolph another sell out? Probably, so the answer is once again (a). It doesn't really matter anyway because I heard his nose is red from experimenting with prohibited substances.

6. Abbreviating Christmas as Xmas "takes the Christ out of Christmas."
(a) true or (b) false
No, no, no, I do not believe this is true. I use x-mas when I have written too large or repeatedly misspelled Christmas when writing it out the long way (It is a big word, ok. Don't act like you're better than me.) I think you might be able to use x-mas when writing to pirates or enemies too, but I could be making that up. This one is (b). Yep. (b)

7. The poinsettia plant is highly toxic and eating the leaves can kill a person or pet.
(a) true or (b) false
Ha, ha. Those ladies from The View warned me about the elusive and poisonous poinsettia, but I read in the paper that this is not true at all, and if life has taught be anything, it is to always believe what you read before what you hear, because if someone actually took the time and energy to write it down, it must be true. So, a big fat (b) to this one.

8. It was once against the law to publicly celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts.
(a) true or (b) false
Those funny Massachusons! They are a wacky butch. Seriously though, there are a lot of strict laws in the Middle East so (a) because the oppression of an entire race of people is no laughing matter.

9. President Theodore Roosevelt would not allow Christmas trees in his home--not even in the White House.
(a) true or (b) false
Yes, this one is (a) true. Teddy Roosevelt was a strict conservationist. Plus, if you ever saw the movie poltergeist, you should know that you are always taking a chance when allowing a tree into or near your home.

10. The real St. Nicholas was a bishop in the early 4th century who hailed from a region known today as Turkey.
(a) true or (b) false
Humm, this makes me rethink my answer to question 1. Although, question 1 includes the words "modern day Santa" and question 10 mentions a saint from the 4th century which is very long time ago, even before the 70's. Notice how the words "jolly" are not mentioned before St.Nicholas. I bet he was an angry saint like Martha Stewart or Cybil Shepard playing Martha Stewart. Anyway, the answer is (a).

Here are the correct answers:

1) b. false, 2) b. false, 3) b. false, 4) a. true, 5) a. true, 6) b. false, 7) b. false, 8) a. true 9) a. true and 10) a. true

My score was a 60%, but in my defense, I haven't had any caffeine yet today.

To take the quiz on msn click here! The online quiz includes detailed answers, where I, do not.

Santa Inspired Pictures

2008-12-24T20:15:00.003-06:00

Leicester Square in London, England

Everland Amusement Park in Yongin, South Korea

5th Ave, New York

Yomiuri Amusement Park in Tokyo, Japan

Santa Run in Hamburg, Germany

Sydney Harbor, Australia

Costumed Charity Race in Rome, Italy

Angel Wing Cookie Recipe

2008-12-08T22:28:00.005-06:00

Angel Wings

TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 20 min.

Ingredients:
1 cup cold butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sour cream
10 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, divided
Colored sugar, optional

Directions: In a bowl, cut butter into flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the sour cream. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 6-8 times or until mixture holds together. Shape into four balls; flatten slightly. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Unwrap one ball. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar on waxed paper; coat all sides of ball with sugar. Roll into a 12-in. x 5-in. rectangle between two sheets of waxed paper. Remove top sheet of waxed paper. Sprinkle dough with 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon.

Lightly mark a line down the center of the dough, making two 6-in. x 5-in. rectangles. Starting with a short side, roll up jelly-roll style to the center mark; peel waxed paper away while rolling. Repeat with other short side.

Wrap in plastic wrap; freeze for 30 minutes. Repeat three times.

Place remaining sugar or place colored sugar if desired on waxed paper. Unwrap one roll. Cut into 1/2-in. slices; dip each side into sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 375° for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Turn cookies; bake 5-8 minutes longer. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: about 3 dozen.

Nutrition Facts
One serving: (2 each), Servings: 21, Calories: 144, Fat: 10 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 27 mg, Sodium: 91 mg, Carbohydrate: 13 g, Fiber: 0 g, Protein: 1 g

Recipe and Pic from Tast of Home

Smugmug Update

2008-12-08T22:26:00.002-06:00

Ok, I finally added October's Pics to Smugmug.

A Sleep of Dreams

2008-11-25T13:10:00.001-06:00

A Sleep of Dreams

Travelled road ~ rough and worn
I've walked with ease on many morn
Down your path of known delights
I've trodden through on many nights
To sleep a dreamless sleep

My footsteps echo not within
Within the paths where I have been
Oh, how I crave my soul's respite
To dream of life within this night
To sleep a sleep of dreams

Oh, travelled road ~ you're all I've known
But fever deep inside has grown
To walk the walk that others might
And realize a dream tonight
To sleep a sleep of dreams

This trodden path is worn and long
Each day does bring a seasoned song
That's sung till light has turned to night
And dulls the life with no delight
To sleep a dreamless sleep

I see a field of emerald green
No foot has passed ~ nor ever been
Down unseen path toward dawning light
I'll stay until the sweetest night
To sleep my sleep of dreams....

Hazelmarie Elliott

My coke rewards thru 2009

2008-11-25T12:47:00.002-06:00

My Coke Rewards® has been extended until 12/31/2009. This means that you can continue to earn points through 11/30/2009 and redeem points through 12/31/2009*.

How to make a good hotel room coffee!!

2008-11-24T20:43:00.004-06:00

Ha!! Ha!! Today I laughed out loud when I read the "How To of the Day" from Wikipedia. I can't wait to share this information w/ the regular guests at the Hilton. Personally, I just add International Coffee's Pumpkin Spice Creamier to my coffee to make it awesome, but that isn't really much of a "How To" is it?

Tips for a good cup of coffee at a hotel per WikiHow....

You're on the road, and you breathe a sigh of relief when you see that your hotel room has a coffee maker waiting for you. But when you go to brew a cup to enjoy in the privacy of your room, the product is quite...disappointing. Before you speed down to the local coffee shop and squander another fraction of what could be your retirement fund on a latte, try these tips and tricks for better hotel coffee.

1. Understand where many coffee makers fall short.

Some coffee makers don't allocate enough wattage to the heating element, and fail to reach the ideal coffee brewing temperature range (195-205 degrees Fahrenheit, 90.5-96
degrees Celsius).

Another problem is that coffee makers take too long to brew the coffee, which can result in bitter and harsh flavor. Ideally, the process should only take 6 minutes.

2.Run water through.

This will allow the coffee maker to heat up, which will help the water get closer to that ideal brewing temperature. Once it's done, pour that hot water right back into the coffee maker and immediately run it through again, this time with coffee.

3. Add a pinch of salt.

Throw in a little bit of salt with the coffee grounds; this may help by bringing out more of the coffee's better flavors. It can also tone down bitterness. Some people add it after the cup has been brewed.

If you're skeptical, or worried about ending up with a salty cup of coffee, follow all of the other steps, and only add salt if the coffee leaves something to be missed; sprinkle a little bit, taste, and add more salt as needed. It may take a little experimentation to find out how much salt is needed to "fix" a cup of coffee, and it may vary by brand and coffee maker.

4. Jump the gun.

Set a timer. When around 6 minutes have passed, pull the pot (or glass carafe) off the burner and serve whatever coffee is already made. Put a mug in the pot's place so that the remainder of the coffee being made (which will probably be pretty harsh, and worthy of being dumped) doesn't drip everywhere. This cuts off the brewing process before the coffee gets bitter. Even though you won't have as much coffee, at least it'll be good coffee, and you can always start a new batch.

Another option is to use only half of the amount of water to brew (which shortens brewing time) then add hot water to the coffee afterwards to dilute it. Depending on how you obtain the hot water, this might result in lukewarm coffee.

6.Drink immediately.

Don't leave brewed coffee in the pot or glass carafe on the burner. Pour it out into a mug or cup as soon as it's finished, and start sipping before the coffee starts to taste like hot ashes!

Additional Tips:

Don't use those styrofoam "mugs" provided to you in the hotel room. Those can often be the breaking point when it comes to a decent cup of coffee. Instead ask the front desk for a ceramic mug or, if you're the only one being served, use the carafe from the coffee maker itself. It's typically a "4 cup" - which is actually 2 good sized mugs.

These instructions can also be useful if you have a bad coffee maker at home, or if you have a stash of bad coffee to work through.

If you have the time and the inclination, cleaning the coffee maker could make a big difference.

If the coffee isn't strong enough, try putting both the regular bag and the decaf bag in the basket.

The quality of free hotel coffee often leaves much to be desired. If you bring a small package of your favourite coffee from home, you'll be one step closer to a more enjoyable brew.

Long live the Lizard Peope!!

2008-11-24T19:13:00.037-06:00

Minnesota Senate Recount
Challenged ballots: You be the judge
by Than Tibbetts, Minnesota Public Radio

Representatives from the campaigns of Sen. Norm Coleman and Al Franken have been challenging ballots across the state.

It's your turn to play election judge. Tell us how you would rule in the case of these challenged ballots. Use this Minnesota state statute as your guide.
-->
The Signature
The Franken campaign challenged this ballot, arguing the voter left an identifying mark on the ballot. (MPR has blacked-out the signature to respect the voter's privacy.) Minnesota law states: "If a ballot is marked by distinguishing characteristics in a manner making it evident that the voter intended to identify the ballot, the entire ballot is defective." (MPR Photo/Laura Yuen)

The Bachmen
The Franken campaign challenged this ballot in Ramsey County where the voter appears to have written "Bachmen" — presumably a reference to U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann — in the write-in field. (Caroline Yang for MPR)

The Pencil
The Coleman campaign questioned this Ramsey County ballot because while the oval for the Presidency was filled in with pen, the rest were filled in with pencil, calling into question whether the ballot had been properly duplicated. (Caroline Yang for MPR)

The X Factor
The Franken campaign challenged this ballot in Ramsey County, arguing the voter drew an "X" in over the oval for Norm Coleman, signifying the voter's intent to cross-out the vote for Coleman. (Caroline Yang for MPR)

The Autograph
The Franken campaign challenged this ballot, arguing the voter left an identifying mark (signature blurred for privacy) on the ballot. (Caroline Yang for MPR)

The Arrow
The Coleman campaign challenged this ballot in Anoka county, arguing the voter drew an arrow pointing at Coleman's name after filling in the bubble next to Franken's name. (MPR Photo/Curtis Gilbert)

The Thumbprint
The Franken campaign challenged this Anoka County ballot, arguing that the thumb print on it constitutes a distinguishing mark. If a voter signs a ballot or writes his Social Security Number on it, that ballot is invalid under Minnesota state law. The State Canvassing Board will need to determine whether this thumbprint has the same effect. (MPR Photo/Curtis Gilbert)

Outside the lines
The ballot was challenged in Shorewood because the voter did not make the mark inside a bubble next to a candidate's name. (MPR Photo/Bill Alkofer)

The NO ballot
This ballot was challenged in Dakota County because two ovals were filled in. Minnesota law says a ballot is valid if election officials can't determine the voter's intent. (Image courtesy of Dakota County)

Lizard People
This Beltrami County voter cast their ballot for Al Franken, but also put "Lizard People" as a write-in candidate, not only in the U.S. Senate race, but for several others. The county auditor/treasurer ruled that the vote should not be counted because it's considered an overvote. Representatives for Franken challenged that decision. (MPR Photo/Tom Robertson)

The Checkmark
This Olmsted County voter placed a checkmark next to Al Franken's name and also circled one of the guide marks for the optical scanner. The Coleman campaign challenged the voter's intent. (MPR Photo/Sea Stachura)

The Oops
This Olmsted County ballot has marks in both Coleman's and Franken's bubbles. Both campaigns challenged this ballot. (MPR Photo/Sea Stachura)

The Dot
The Coleman campaign challenged this ballot, arguing the voter didn't intend to vote for Franken, because of the small dot inside the bubble next to Dean Barkley’s name. (MPR Photo/Curtis Gilbert)

The Eraser
The Franken campaign challenged this ballot. Even though the voter filled in the bubble next to Barkley's name, a Franken representative said what appear to be eraser marks over Franken's bubble indicated the voter intended to vote for Franken. (MPR Photo/Curtis Gilbert)

The Confusion
The Coleman campaign kept this ballot from going into the 'Other' pile. They argued that while the voter filled in the bubble next to Dean Barkley, the voter had intended to vote for Coleman because of the small dot inside Coleman's bubble. (MPR Photo/Curtis Gilbert)

The Underline
The Franken campaign challenged this ballot, arguing the voter intended to vote for Franken. "He was underlining Al," said Franken volunteer Jeff Lange, who made the challenge. (MPR Photo/Curtis Gilbert)

Click here to vote online!!

The Sims 3?????

2008-11-21T21:42:00.002-06:00

The Sims Label is set to release "The Sims 3" on February 20, 2009.

Ah, It seems like just yesterday I was waiting for the release of The Sims 2. Time does fly!!

PoopBags.com

2008-11-19T13:13:00.004-06:00

Call me twelve, but a website w/ the name PoopBags.com deserves a little chuckle especially with a link list that includes: Buy Poop Bags, Jumbo Poop Bags, Poop Bag Holders, Poop Bag Facts and About Poop Bags.

Heck you can even get a sample Poop Bag. Nice.

I have been using "meh" for years!!!

2008-11-18T22:34:00.002-06:00

No need to get too excited over ‘meh’
Expression of indifference or boredom added to dictionary

LONDON - At least someone is excited about "meh."

The expression of indifference or boredom has gained a place in the Collins English Dictionary after generating a surprising amount of enthusiasm among lexicographers.

Publisher HarperCollins announced Monday the word had been chosen from terms suggested by the public for inclusion in the dictionary's 30th anniversary edition, to be published next year.

The origins of "meh" are murky, but the term grew in popularity after being used in a 2001 episode of "The Simpsons" in which Homer suggests a day trip to his children Bart and Lisa.

"They both just reply 'meh' and keep watching TV," said Cormac McKeown, head of content at Collins Dictionaries.

The dictionary defines "meh" as an expression of indifference or boredom, or an adjective meaning mediocre or boring. Examples given by the dictionary include "the Canadian election was so meh."

The dictionary's compilers said the word originated in North America, spread through the Internet and was now entering British spoken English.

"This is a new interjection from the U.S. that seems to have inveigled its way into common speech over here," McKeown said. "Internet forums and e-mail are playing a big part in formalizing the spellings of vocal interjections like these. A couple of other examples would be 'hmm' and 'heh.'

"Meh" was selected by Collins after it asked people to submit words they use in conversation that are not in the dictionary. Other suggestions included jargonaut, a fan of jargon; frenemy, an enemy disguised as a friend; and huggles, a hybrid of hugs and snuggles.

While in Target....

2008-11-17T20:59:00.007-06:00

Nick and I were at target today and happened to walk past the telescopes on our way to camping supplies. One of the boxes had pictures of all the awesome things you could use the telescope for and I couldn't help but think there should be picture of a window with the curtains partly drawn because, seriously, chances are good that if you are buying a telescope from Target, you are less likely to be concerned with Jupiter and more likely to be interested in the hot or cheating neighbor next door....

The Cstar Optics 40x40mm. So many uses...so little time.

*Side note: I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. This made me really happy because Caribou isn't carrying pumpkin flavors for the rest of the holiday season.*

Open Door Policy

2008-11-17T20:35:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I instituted an open door policy at my house so my mom, niece, aunt, uncle and three of my friends all came over to visit. By the time I closed my door it was around 1 in the morning.

Cluck, Cluck....

2008-11-16T19:37:00.005-06:00

Omg! I saw this online while attempting to set up a Christmas Wish List on Kaboodle. Blink twice and it might disappear! It is too funny. Don't forget to read the specifications and "accessories". The misspellings and funny wording have nothing to do w/ me this time....

Egg Laying Hen Chicken Alarm Clock

Specifications:

*Chicken Alarm Clock are all made of quality plastic and are of fine details
*Precise and durable material Kuku Clock with night vision hands
*Alarm Clock powered by 2AA batteries( will not be included here)
*Size of the Hen Clock: 15.5 x 6 x 11cm
*Open the battery's cover at the bottom of the clock and insert 2AA batteries(not included)
*Set the correct time with this knob,located at the back of the clock
*Set the alarm time with knob, located at the back of the clock.
*Set main switch, located at the back of the loack to ON position
*Insert all 5 eggs through the top openning
*Place the basket under the bottom openning
*When the alarm goes on all 5 eggs will emerge from KUKU clock's bottom opening into the attached basket
*To turn the alarm off, inset all eggs through the top opening
*Set main switch to OFF position
*Get out of bed
*Approved: CE / FCC
*After sales service: 1 year warranty

Accessories:

*1 x Egg Laying Hen Chicken Alarm Clock
*1 x basket
*6 x eggs

Click here for more info.

Pic from website indicated above.

Great Quote by Kurt Vonnegut

2008-11-16T15:38:00.002-06:00

Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before... He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way.
- Kurt Vonnegut

Mascot

2008-11-16T05:10:00.006-06:00

Recently the front desk manager at the Hilton tripped on a mini eraser shaped like a pig while we were working together. I quickly claimed it as mine (which means I wrote my name on it and dubbed the pig Ned). It now goes w/ me everywhere.

I kind of like having a mascot.

These pigs are from The Pork Store, but they look pretty close to Ned. Well, the pink one anyway.

My own non-alcoholic drink

2008-11-16T04:22:00.012-06:00

During the audit shift, there always seems to be a little extra time in which one can entertain his or herself. Tonight I created my own drink. I think that I will call it the Night Shift, because Audit Shift sounds ridiculous.

Here is how to make a Night Shift:

Place a single serving bag of Tazo Awake Black Tea + 1 serving of International Delight Amaretto Creamer + 1 packet of Splenda Sugar Substitute together in a coffee cup and then add 6-8 oz. of hot water.

It tastes great and it might just lighten your spirit!!

Here let me break the math down for you because MATH IS HARD (Office reference)!

Things that make you go hummmmmm

2008-11-15T21:43:00.004-06:00

I nearly fell off my chair when I saw this add for a DNA Paternity Test among the Sunday coupons this last week. I had no idea DNA Testing was so...um, portable? Wow!!

At-home DNA Paternity Testing is now readily available and affordable. The test itself is priced at $29.99 but participants will also incur a lab fee for $119. The IDENTIGENE DNA Paternity Test can be purchased nationwide at pharmacies including CVS, Fruth, Meijer, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

So, really, who is your daddy?

Rachel the Playwright

2008-11-15T04:51:00.004-06:00

My friend Rachel has written a play which is to be performed at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis.

Quickies 2008: Human Curiosities!

The dates are as follows: November 16th, 21st & 23rd. The show begins at 7pm but the doors open an hour before the preformance.

The tickets cost between $12-$15, $10 with a Fringe button or pay what you can.

Please support Rachel. She has ties to the mafia.

For more information click here.

Pic from the link above.

Smugmug update!!

2008-10-13T19:49:00.002-05:00

I finally got around to updating my photos.....including a weekend in Alcester SD with the Dumans, a hot air balloon ride in Claremont MN, Vicki's 30th b-day at Patrick McGovern's in downtown St.Paul MN, camping at Itasca State Park in northern MN, and the annual Crack Monkey Party in Burnsville MN.

The Office Christmas Ornament

2008-10-02T17:33:00.003-05:00

OMG!! God is listening......

Get this awesome ornament at www.nbcuniversalstore.com for only $10. Alleluia!!

The Popcorn Factory Gift Buckets

2008-09-24T13:55:00.003-05:00

Halloween Rocks!! It is so the best holiday. Hands down, no lie. The best!

Last week, I was in a coupon clipping daze (thank you, Sunday Newspaper) and I came across this ad for The Popcorn Factory and, bingo, candy and decorating in one. Can it get any better? Maybe if they added hiking or hay rides....whatever.

I have two adorable nieces and one good friend who recently moved to Florida (miss you, Kim) that may need a little Halloween surprise in the form of popcorn balls and marshmallow ghosts. As the Kool-Aid man used to say, oh yah!!!

Popcorn Ball Decorating Kit

Kit includes 12 popcorn balls, decorating candies, and an icing writer. Price $19.99 at www.thepopcornfactory.com

Since I prefer to be frugal whenever possible, I am going to guess that it wouldn't be to difficult to make your own cheaper versions of these gift buckets. I mean, even I can make a few popcorn balls and buy a bunch of candy to "decorate" them with, but to each their own. Sometimes time is more valuable than money, but I am not Martha Stewart or Bill Gates so my pay is negligible at the moment.

The Office DVD Board Game & Season 5

2008-09-23T09:32:00.004-05:00

Season 5 of The Office begins this Thursday, September 25Th. I am super psyched because I actually have this Thursday off from teaching ESL so I can watch it live from the Olson Family Living Room or OFLR!!

The season premier is titled "Weight Loss". A Dunder Mifflin weight loss initiative causes the branch to diet and become obsessed with their weight.

Jena Fisher will be a guest on the Tonight Show this Wednesday, September 24Th for those of us wanting a little pregame teaser before the big event.

Don't Forget!!! New office Webisodes and downloads are on the Internet right now!! Subscribe to the monthly newsletter!! Now, do it now people!!!

For those of you who are truly addicted (like me), you may want to purchase The Office DVD Board Game for $25.
I saw it on Sunday when I was at Target and I nearly drooled on myself. No, I didn't buy it, because I am completely and utterly poor, hence the clipping coupons, but I did hold it in my hands and covet it righteously. Ohhh, Sweet Jesus!!!

The Office Season 5 Group Pic came from Sparklies Gallery online and The Office DVD Board Game Pic came from Walmart.com.

Serious Addictions

2008-09-23T08:54:00.002-05:00

Wow! I can't clip enough coupons these days!! I even clip them for stuff that I don't need and have no intention of ever buying. I don't have a dog so why do I need to save $2 on Beneful Snackin Slices Dog Snacks or $5 on Osteo Bi-Flex? However, I may actually use a coupon for 50 cents off on Egglands Best Eggs. Oh, boy!!

Bill Nye, Project Earth and Fringe

2008-08-19T21:18:00.008-05:00

DVR worthy shows:

Stuff Happens! with Bill Nye on Planet Green (Channel 113)

Tune in Tuesday, September 2nd at 8pm Central for the 13 episode season premier.
Episode One: The Bathroom
The Basics: The Science Guy is back and he has stuff and things happen to that stuff which are totally worth watching.

Project Earth on the Discovery Channel (Channel 37 or 191 Hi-Def.)

Tune in Friday, August 22nd at 8pm Central for the 8 episode series premier.
Episode One: Wrapping Greenland
The Basics: 8 crazy eco-engineering experiments bold enough to change the world!

Fringe on Fox (Channel 9 and 234 Hi-Def.)

Tune in Tuesday September 9th at 7pm Central for the 13 episode season premier.
Episode One: Pilot
The Basics: Joshua Jackson!!! He's so dreamy. Whatever. Former X-Files fans, this show is for you!! Conspiracies, check. Freaky science experiments, check. Hot bodies, check. Love it.

Just a not so deep thought...

2008-08-19T14:32:00.002-05:00

I really dislike leaf blowers due to that high pitched whooshing noise they make, but I love playing color junction on Google games.....

What do these two things have to do with one another? Absolutely nothing.

Bella, Renee's 7 month old puppy!

2008-06-08T19:48:00.001-05:00

Renee's amazing kitchen renovation!!

2008-06-08T19:41:00.003-05:00

I don't have a before picture, but, trust me, this is an phenomenal improvement.

What is in a name?

2008-06-07T13:30:00.002-05:00

I sure hope its a one time performance....at the Good Times Saloon.....with no cover is about right.

3rd Season of 30 DAYS Begins Tonight on FX!!

2008-06-03T18:30:00.004-05:00

Morgan Spurlock is back for another season of 30 Days.

In the first episode, which airs at 9pm tonight, Spurlock goes back to his home state of West Virginia to spend 30 days working as a coal miner. Other episodes will center around gun control, same sex parenting, wheelchair confinement, animal rights, and life on an Indian reservation.

Sounds promising.....

SmugMug Update

2008-05-14T13:02:00.005-05:00

I finally got around to posting some new pics for 2008!!!

Jenny's 28th B-day!!

Girlfriend Christmas!!

Hands Down the Sweetest Moment in February

2008-02-19T21:32:00.003-06:00

Moons

2008-02-19T20:50:00.003-06:00

February is definitely not my month. In January, I told my Aunt Yolanda that of all the months of the year, I loathe February the most. She thought my complaint ludicrous because January is usually the coldest month, but in my opinion February is the cruelest. No going back and no looking forward...February is the thick of winter.

All month I have been dragging my sorry bones from home to work and then back again. It doesn't help that I have been riding the Narcolepsy roller coaster either. I am still debating whether I should disclose my condition to my employer or not. Both my father and my sister have under gone a sleep study since my diagnosis last September. Neither one has Narcolepsy, but they both have sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea is like Narcolepsy's trendier/cuter cousin-still a pain in the butt, but totally tolerable.

The Minnesota Organization of Narcolepsy Support (MOONS) has scheduled its second meeting to be held in St. Louis Park on March 8th. If I make it through February, I will probably attend.

IF!!!!

The worst blogger ever....

2008-02-08T13:35:00.000-06:00

If there was rock, I would hide under it.

How can one person get so behind on everything....mail, bills, email, house keeping, reading, writing, kniting, etc.

Just a few weeks ago, I was on top of my game. I started a new job, organized some of my personal belongings including my wedding photos, donated to Goodwill....what a difference a day makes.

Oh well, se'la'vie.....

Hilton Garden Inn

2008-01-30T11:12:00.000-06:00

It is official. I am employed yet again.

On Monday, January 28th, I began computer training at the Hilton Garden Inn in Maple Grove. My official title is Front Desk Representative/Super Hero. OK, the Super Hero part is a lie.

In college, I worked the graveyard shift at the Super 8 in Morris, MN and loved it. Basically, I watched campy horror flicks, folded towels, checked the pH balance in the pool, ran the night audit, and set up the continental breakfast in the morning. In between all that other stuff, I studied, read, or did homework. Total cake, right!

Life at the Hilton is a bit different. First, I have a uniform-black blazer, blue button-up shirt, and black pants. Second, talk about extensive computer training. Yikes. Am I setting up hotel reservations or dismantling bombs....in the service/hospitality biz, maybe both. I do get to drive the shuttle w/i a 5 mile radius of the hotel, and there is always the hope of random tasks, but nothing as cool as checking the pH balance in the pool.

Wish me luck.....

Window Garden

2008-01-13T15:00:00.000-06:00

Last year around this time, I bought two herb garden potting kits at Target Boutique. Each contained an earthenware pot, compacted soil and a tiny packet of seeds, cilantro & parsley in this case. Of course, I totally forgot about them until this Wednesday when they were rediscovered among the spice jars in my kitchen cabinets. Nice!!

It just so happens that Target has two new potting kits available for Valentines day, strawberry and lavender, so I purchased them as well for a buck each. The lavender one has a cute pink pot!

Nick helped me "plant" the seeds on Thursday and then we placed them in the window sill to grow.

On Friday night I went to check on my plants. Mysteriously, one was missing and in its place was a flower pot photo holder. A scene very reminiscent of this summer, when I came home from work to find a full grown cantaloupe resting among the seedlings in our garden.

Yes, Nick had struck again. So sly, so very sly.

Happy Holidays!!!

2008-01-05T10:40:00.001-06:00

December 25th may have come and gone, but Christmas still lives on!!

Nick and I are on the road to South Dakota to visit the family and exchange gifts. Nick was nice enough to scan the holiday photo on the left. It was taken in the year 1983 when my family was living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I was seven years old. Teresa, in the gray sweatshirt sporting a nice hickey, was dragged away from her friends at the last minute and didn't have a chance to change clothes before our appointment. I think her "devil may care" smile adds a little something extra to the photo. Who doesn't love a little scandal.

Tis the Season!!

YMCA Commercial

2008-01-03T13:51:00.001-06:00

I love these YMCA Commercials. I have met a few "barbies" in my lifetime!!

2008 New Year

2008-01-02T20:38:00.000-06:00

The holidays are officially over and what did I do for New Years this year? Nada. I was sick w/ a horrid sinus infection which robbed me of 1 month and two weeks of 2007-2008. On the up side, wait, there is no up side. It all was bogus.

Nick did set the web camera up to snap a pick of us at midnight so I at least have a picture of the big event. Next year I plan on changing out of my pjs at least......

2008 New Year Questionnaire

2008-01-01T00:23:00.000-06:00

1. What did you do this year that you've never done before?

I rented a convertible PT Cruiser while on vacation, planted a garden, learned to knit, volunteered as a co-teacher for the English as a Second Language program, tried escargot, shopped at the Dollar Store, attended my first support group meeting, studied Italian, worked in downtown Minneapolis, shopped at the Minneapolis Farmers Market, saw the "Blue Man Group" in concert.....I am sure that there is more, but I can't remember it all right now.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year??

I didn't make any last year, but I would really like to learn how to sew this year.

3. Any new births this year?

Kira & Matt had a baby girl named Ellis on October 2nd, Chris & Aimee had a baby boy named Jonah Allan on August 21st, Jake & Melissa had twin girls named Mariana Kaye & Emmarene Grace on July 9th, and Kevin & Laurie had a boy named Grey in the fall, but I forget the exact date.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Louise Bell passed away this year. I knew her as a child and grew up w/ her grandson, Sam.

5. What countries did you visit this year?

No new countries, but I did go to Florida for the first time.

6. What would you like to have in the next year that you lacked this year?

A sense of direction. Good health. An apartment in Portland, OR.

7. What date from this year will remain etched upon your memory.

September 12th-The day I was diagnosed w/ Narcolepsy.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

The garden-peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, melon, & pumpkin.
Co-Teaching English as a Second Language.

9.What was your biggest failure of the year?

Staying in Minneapolis for another long winter.
Forgetting to pick up the pottery I made during a community education pottery class.
Not finishing the book I have been working on for the last year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, but I am hopeful for the future.

11. What was the best thing you bought this year?

Enrollment in a community education pottery class.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Britney Spears...just kidding.

13. Where did most of your money go this year?

The mortgage.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about this year?

Family vacation to Disney World.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:- happier or sadder? richer or poorer? thinner or fatter?

Neither happier or sadder, definitely poorer, and my weight is the same...

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Camping!!!!

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Job searching.....

18. How did you spend the holidays?

With family.

19. Did you fall in love this year?

Yes, w/ my husband, w/ my cats, w/ my family & w/ my friends.

20. What is your favorite memory for the year?

A rather stunning fall by my friend Chris before seeing the "Blue Man Group" in concert.

Playing Catch Phrase during Christmas at the Farm in Iowa......Thank you, James for the following: "Someone who tells everything they know and then empties a container of vegetables" a.k.a "Spill the Beans".

21. What was your favorite TV program for the year?

The Office. I hope the writer's strike is over soon.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Nope. I hate all the same people.....HA! HA! HA!

23. What was the best book you read this year?

The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler

24. What was your favorite film of the year?

Either Knocked Up or Super Bad.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept this year?

3 words: Cheap....sale....clearance!!!

26. Whom did you miss this year?

Dustin. My mom & dad being together.

27. Who was the best new person you met this year?

Renee, Luke, Jake & Samara. I didn't meet them this year, but I got to know them better.

28. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned for this year.

Be thankful for what you have.