12.30.2003

10 cent Ronnie

This USATODAY article about putting Regan on the dime triggers a strange gag reflex. Shouldn't you be dead before you are minted? Are we saying that he is as good as dead? Are we saying that he is a better president than FDR? Oh! I weep crocodile democrat tears today.

100 things

1. I hate fish. Not to eat, but to look at. They just freak me out.
2. I want to travel to all the continents with the exception of Antartica. There may be a Lonely Planet Antartica, but that doesn't mean you should go there.
3. I'm left handed.
4. Dog or Cat?: I'm a dog person all the way.
5. Salty or Sweets?: 9 times out of 10 I'll take something sweet.
6. I like school.
7. Love Jeopardy, HATE Wheel of Fortune.
8. Never thought I would marry, but I happily have.
9. I am a recovering pack rat. I can't help it is a heritary problem.
10. My first crush was on Han Solo from Star Wars. I used to say Harrison Ford, but now he just gives me the creeps. Han, however, still does it for me in a very small adolescent way.
11. My first plane trip was a 14 hour flight to Sydney.
12. I am obsessed with listening to NPR.
13. I like to watch movies...in the theater, at home, on TV...
14. I even like watching a movie starting from the middle.
15. Even if I've never seen it before.
16. Or if I know there are only 20 minutes left.
17. My second biggest peeve is people who talk in the movie theater. Those people need to stay at home.
18. My biggest peeve is people who bring small children to adult movies. I'm not talking porn here, but anything that is not G rated. Folks, being a parent meant making sacrafices. Looks like going to the movies is one of them Get a DVD player or a babysitter...quickly.
19. I would rather take a picture than be in one.
20. If you're pouring drinks, I'll usually have a Jack and Coke.
21. I probably watch too much TV.
22. I watch way too much reality TV.
23. I love the British Royal Family.
24. I refer to Queen Elizabeth as "Liz." I think we would be wonderful friends if we met.
25. I have always believed that Princes Diana's "death" was a major conspiracy.
26. I also think that if they wanted to, the governement could get me.
27. I have seen a UFO.
28. I was not on drugs at the time, and I have other witnesses.
29. I love the sound of Julie Andrews' voice. She can hypnotize me with her speaking and her singing.
30. I have 1 tatoo.
31. I got it on the day of the Oscars a few years ago.
32. Every Oscar night I have a small anniversary for my tatoo even though I know the calendar date is different every year.
33. I have a really cool old bike that my husband got me. He's cool.
34. Hate to drive, love to navigate.
35. I used to care about horiscopes and all that jazz, but now it just doesn't seem to matter.
36. I have never broken a bone.
37. I broke my toe once, but that doesn't really count.
38. I had chicken pox when I was 5.
39. I should be working right now.
40. Sean Connery does it for me.
41. Yes, even today and not just in the old Bond movies.
42. I love British pop music. The cheesier the better.
43. I own and still listen to the Aqua album with the "Barbie Girl" song on it.
44. I still love Saturday morning cartoons.
45. But only on Saturdays.
46. I wish I could be a dancer.
47. If I was a superhero, I would want my power to be invisibility.
48. I went to Catholic School for 12 years.
49. I was a Girl Scout for 12 years too.
50. I was labeled as a "good girl" for a really long time.
51. I will not likely go to my high school reunion.
52. I like going to church now.
53. It is harder to go to church now because I feel like I expect more when I go.
54. Anything you can do, I can do better.
55. Or at least I'd like to try.
56. I love Broadway musicals.
57. I saw Hugh Jackman in a performance of Oklahoma.
58. Every time I spell "Oklahoma" I sing "O-k-l-a-h-o-m-a Oklaho-mah" in my head.
59. I played a nun in a production of The Sound of Music.
60. I am a morning person, but I usually don't want to talk then.
61. I love to paint, craft, and create.
62. I rarely make time to do those things.
63. I love my palm pilot.
64. I'm even proficient at the "graffiti" language.
65. I generally like spicy foods.
65. I am learning to cook and I really like it now.
66. I don't have my ears pierced.
67. I used to have my ears pierced, but I got an infection and let them close up.
68. That was in the 6th grade.
69. I have not wanted earrings since.
70. If I were going to pierce anything now it would be my nose.
71. I doubt that I would get my nose pierced now.
72. I would get a new tatoo.
73. I like to use change when I spend with cash. If it is $7.14 I will look for the 14 cents in my wallet.
74. I love my new wallet, but am nervous because there is no change receptacle.
75. I like to buy shoes and purses.
76. I think I am turning into a frugal and cheap old lady.
77. I'm not old yet!
78. I am excited about becoming a teacher.
79. I am scared about not finding a job.
80. I don't eat fast food french fries anymore.
81. I don't like riding in elevators.
82. I love roller coasters.
83. I tend to be an easy going person.
84. Unless things don't go my way...
85. Or people are just acting stupid.
86. I really want to be easy going.
87. I married a wonderful guy.
88. I have a Doozer sitting on my computer.
89. I like to quiz people to see if they know what he is.
90. I really like when people know the Fraggle Rock reference.
91. I hate being bored at work.
92. I would rather be busy and challenged at work than not.
93. I like to read books.
94. I don't spend enough time reading the things I want to read.
95. My parents are pretty cool.
96. I never thought so until a few years ago.
97. I believe Jude Law is unnaturally attractive. I mean no one should be able to look that good!
98. I am forever hopeful, optimistic, and glass half-full.
99. I like to believe in impossible things.
100. I think Oprah could rule the world and be really good at it.

it's that time again

I love this time of year. YEs the holidays give a nice buzz, but what really gets me foaming at the mouth are the end of the year movie race. I love movies and I love the Oscars. Call me what you will, but I love seeing the movies that are nominated before Oscar Night (now noted as ON). I get a rush in December before the nominations are even dreamed about when I see the "potential" favorites. I love it, I love it, I love it, and so does thisGuy. Thank goodness my husband had gotten on the bandwagon with me!

*Oh, and my pick for best picture is Return of the King. In case you were wondering.

12.23.2003

what child is this?

Jesus may be the reason for the season, but it looks like it is getting hard on the old guy. Birthdays can be such a bitch!

color me ... violet?

I would not have guessed that violet would describe me so well, but it does. Too bad it isn't orange or yellow. I like those colors so much more. In fact I resist purples so much beacuse purple people are so fanatical about their color. I'm not a purple person!!!

you are violet
#EE82EE

Your dominant hues are red and blue. You're confident and like showing people new ideas. You play well with others and can be very influential if you want to be.

Your saturation level is lower than average - You don't stress out over things and don't understand people who do. Finishing projects may sometimes be a challenge, but you schedule time as you see fit and the important things all happen in the end, even if not everyone sees your grand master plan.

Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.
the spacefem.com html color quiz

12.22.2003

"C" is for cookie and it's good enough for me

Basic Gingerbread Cookies from Martha
and Russian Tea Cakes from Betty

mr. picassohead

French Toast Girl led the way to a super cool Mr. Picassohead. I even made a creation.

16A vs. 24F

Not that I fly all that much, but the SeatGuru seems like a super thing to look into before taking off. Or incredibly anal. As interesting as this is, I doubt that I would make major changes about my seat. It just seems like too much trouble.

12.19.2003

bread pudding

I'm not really sure why I'm obsessed with bread pudding but I really am. I haven't made it before, but maybe this will be my opportunity!

the friday five

the friday five:
1. List your five favorite beverages.
diet crack...um I mean coke, orange fanta (the international version. for some reason they taste different), jack and coke, chai, cadalac margaritas
2. List your five favorite websites.
I think my links show this best. That and I'm too lazy to write them again. That's why we have blogroller
3. List your five favorite snack foods.
chex mix (honey nut flavor), hot tamales, chips and salsa, spinach artichoke dip, anything freshly baked!
4. List your five favorite board and/or card games.
rummy, dominoes, drop spit, poker, backalley
5. List your five favorite computer and/or game system games.
freecell, The Two Towers, err I don't really have too many more.

12.18.2003

poor, poor michael

The HisTory of Michael Jackson's face gives a fabulous retelling of Michael's evolution. I especially like the references to Planet of the Apes, Joan Crawford, and the Joker!!

12.17.2003

damn good dip


2 (14 ounce) cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1 clove garlic, minced

*before baking, throw on some jack or parmasean cheese to add a little extra something special.

1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2 In a medium baking dish, mix together artichoke hearts, spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, Romano cheese, and garlic. Cover dish.
3 Bake until heated through and bubbly, about 25 minutes.


mmmmm neeto free fonts

Note to self: Download these badass fonts!

12.10.2003

TrixieBelden

Dear God, Trixie Belden lives!!! I loved her more than all other books as a child. I loved her more than Nancy Drew, more than the girls of Canby Hall, and much, much more than the dreaded Babysitters Club or Sweet Valley Twins. I am so excited to have discovered this! I wonder if I still have any of my old books somewhere?

12.04.2003

pretty things

Frecklewonder: Accessories makes pretty things! I am wanting all of them!

12.01.2003

Christmas 1

Real Live Preacher writes about the Christmas story.

11.26.2003

Gold Rush Project

Gathering info for my Gold Rush Unit. Bandit's Moon looks like a decent literature connection.

11.25.2003

Holy Matrimony

This article really does a great job of helping me define my view on marriage. Homosexuals are the least of marriage's problems in our society.

"The decision to make a marriage "sacred" does not belong to the state—if the state were in charge of mandating sacredness in matrimony, we'd have to pave over both Nevada and Jessica Simpson. We make marriage sacred by choosing to treat it that way, one couple at a time. We make marriage a joke by treating it like a two-week jungle safari. There is no evidence that gay couples are any more inclined toward that latter course than supermodels, rock stars, or that poor spineless bald man on Who Wants to Marry My Dad? There's good evidence that most of them will take the commitment very seriously, as do the rest of us. There will be more "sanctity" in marriage when we recognize that people of all orientations can make sacred choices. Good for Massachusetts for recognizing that truth."

11.18.2003

giving thanks

RecipeSource: Baked Winter Squash sounds simple and yummy for the big day!

11.14.2003

the friday five

the friday five
1. Using one adjective, describe your current living space.
cozy
2. Using two adjectives, describe your current employer.
outdated, impractical
3. Using three adjectives, describe your favorite hobby/pasttime.
entertaining, engaging, imagnitive
4. Using four adjectives, describe your typical day.
warm, dull, scholastic, relaxing
5. Using five adjectives, describe your ideal life.
secure, happy, fulfilled, meaningful, simple

11.13.2003

note to self:

You wanted to make Pumpkin Butter. It will taste so good with the bread you just made!

Thanks self!

good things

Today, the Real Live Preacher wrote a great piece about doing "our thang" for the good of the world. Such a good thinker! I'm so thankful for writers like this who make me pause and think about my life.

oooh muffins....

Just had to save this recipe for Awesome Pumpkin Muffins:
2 cups sugar
3 egg equivalents
1/2 cup soy milk
1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1-1/2 cups raisins
3 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground clove

topping:
1/2 T brown sugar
1 T cinnamon

Mix together ingredients and pour into muffin tin. Sprinkle a bit of the topping mix onto each muffin. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes. This makes two dozen muffins.

Mmmm. Sounds good. I bet they would work with chopped dates too!

11.11.2003

you actually put this on bread and eat it?

Ok, so it specifically says "not for debate," but a spreads list with out lemon curd is just wrong. I am not a fan of Vegamite, but I've heard there is an adjustment period involved. I also dispute cream cheese's ranking. Cream cheese makes everything a little brighter. I think there needs to be more imperical evidence in the spreads research before I say yes to Vegamite.

11.07.2003

warm snuggle love

I love love love these beautiful quilts. They are so elegant and modern. It makes me want to learn to quilt!!!

10.27.2003

the frog prince

Some frogs don't ever turn into princes. I'm thankful mine did.

10.24.2003

do you see what I see

more Christmas list-y goodness. I swear I've been a good girl this year!

10.23.2003

Halloween Heads

I have found myself creating reasons to make Halloween Heads this week. First I needed them - what a fun way to spend the evening! Then I convinced my self that my reading student and I could use one to connect to the "Great Pumpkin" text we'll read next week.

can-not-resist-any-longer.....

child artists

Finding this little gem in Daily Candy today was too cute to pass up. Who wouldn't want their art immortalized to a litho format? I know the price is steep, but I want to have kids just to do this.

10.17.2003

the friday five

the friday five
1. Name five things in your refrigerator.
sugar, flour, eggs, water, mustard.

2. Name five things in your freezer.
bag of ice, half filled ice trays, frozen taquitos, frozen ripe bananas

3. Name five things under your kitchen sink.
comet, the swiffer duster, sponges, 409, pine-sol

4. Name five things around your computer.
pens, clutter, rolls of plans, photos, dust

5. Name five things in your medicine cabinet.
toothpaste, face cream, razor blades, pills, toothbrushes

Disney Concert Hall

Even though I had a sneak peek at the LA Phil and the Hall itself, I am still excited to hear the opening night concerts and specials. It is an amazing structure to be filled with amazing music!

10.10.2003

free palm goodies

On a personal note, I need to download the latest version of this for my palm. Weight Watchers really does only work if you journal.

the friday five

the friday five
1. Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?I watch a lot of sports, but none religiously. I like watching basketball & football the most. My husband has got me watching soccer on Telemundo lately. Goooooaaaaaal!
2. What/who are your favorite sports teams and/or favorite athletes?
I don't have any real devotions. I like the Lakers but I'm a SoCal girl. I also have a irrational love for the Eagles.
3. Are there any sports you hate?I hate baseball.
4. Have you ever been to a sports event?I've been to pro hockey, football, and baseball games.
5. Do/did you play any sports (in school or other)? How long did you play?I played basketball and volleyball in Junior High. That was about it for my sports career.

10.09.2003

Pumpkin Butter

Like I need a new kind of butter in my life. Oh well. Somehow I see myself making this to give away this holiday season. Well at least in my fantasy world.

10.07.2003

hearts

I don't even have words for how much this moved me.

10.03.2003

pop is not dead!

I'm not sure why I love them so. My favorite Brits, after the Royals of course, have not drifted into oblivian. Instead they live on here. God save the queen.

Puzzlemaker

How cool! This site generates puzzles using words or info YOU put into it. I'll say it again, "How cool!"

(the dirrrrrty girl in me wants to make a naught word search. Hehehehe!)

10.02.2003

harrumph! badge swap

oh yeah, like I need anything else on my plate! I love the badge swap idea though. It reminds me that I used to collect badges like mad when I was a kid. Of course mine are all huge compared to these nice small ones. Nothing like wearing a four inch metal plate with winnie the pooh on it when you're 5!
Plus this will give me an excuse to be creative. yay!

10.01.2003

9.25.2003

Sarah Plain and Tall

I found a great site for the book I am teaching to my reading student. Now I just need to print it secretly at work!

9.23.2003

South Coast Repertory presents 'Anna in the Tropics'

I'm getting so excited to see a newplay!!! From the logo of the play alone, I am getting more excited. Yay!

9.22.2003

feeling better

I finally gave up on the crap code from blogrolling and started a new blog and my blogroll works. Calou Callay!!

so tired

As the late and great Madeline Kahn sang in Blazing Saddles, "Im so tired."
Tired of my crap job. Tired of pretending like I care.