My gosh, so sad. Carrie Fisher was so funny, and honest and open about her life, giving a voice to many people suffering with mental illness and addiction. Debbie Reynolds was a legend as an actress, singer and dancer. Mother and daughter passing within a day of each other is heart-wrenching. Hope they're laughing together in the hereafter.
Sadness.
Such an incredible talent and generous citizen of the world, gone too soon.
Saw Nocturnal Animals yesterday. It was really good up until the very last moment. Then we weren't sure what to make of it.
I wasn't a fan of the first three minutes or so, though. Good grief. It just went on and on, and was SO incredibly random. Susan thought it was terrible, too, and it was her exhibit, so there you go. After that, I was sucked into the story and never let go.
Amy Adams and Isla Fisher in the same film! They're long lost twins, right?! Just when you thought you'd never seen them together, so maybe they ARE the same person... they do a movie together.
Anyhoo... I liked the film a LOT. Visually, it is beautiful. It seamlessly travels from present to past to writer's imagination and back around again. There are differences in color and textures among the three worlds, taking us from dusty west Texas to trendy LA to a couple's college days in the ol' ATX. I just couldn't wait to see what would happen from minute to minute.
I thought I had heard there was a surprising twist, so I was waiting for it. It is a great story, catapulting us into a very dramatic, but mysterious ending. We had to go to the net to get a crowd perspective on it. I'm not the only person to say out loud when the lights came up, "What was the point of all this?" I got The Matrix, y'all. It shouldn't be as complicated to figure out what happened in this movie.
Was revenge the point of it, for her leaving him all those years ago? I think that was the point. I mean there was an art piece in the gallery that said REVENGE, for heaven's sake. How many clues do we need? If so, I think the ending was too softened and needed a little more obvious realization and some sort of reaction on her part, that would have made it more clear. Perhaps Ford didn't want it to be that definitive.
See it for the sheer beauty and compelling story. Also, it will keep you and your movie date talking about it all the way home!
Our kitchen remodel made the remodeling company's 2017 calendar! We're August. I guess all those hours selecting finishes and accessories paid off.
My beloved 96-year-old Grandpa is still on Hospice. A couple of times in the past few months, he has taken turns for the worst, but he's perked up both times and is hanging in there. We'll visit him next week. My aunt Kerstin has been sending frequent text and photo updates to all of us on his status. Since she's sending them to two generations of family, she was calling him Granddad/Dad, but over the weeks, it's become G-Dad. Love it! I call it his rapper name.
Sunday Stealing: The Here-to-Serve 16 Questions
1. Which is worse? Being gossiped about or being lied to?
Lauren tells me that her friends in their 20's who are married and starting to have babies aren't going to do the Santa/Tooth Fairy/Easter Bunny thing. They don't want to "lie" to their kids. Whaaa...?! I guess magic is out, too? Ariel and Superman are just cartoons? How sad.
Jeff and I were driving around in the country on Saturday, and happened upon the Andalusia whiskey distillery in Blanco. We barely missed the last tour, but we did a tasting, which was cool. The bar is a nice place to hang out. We also visited the cows out back.
While we were out that afternoon, I was telling Jeff about Culture Map. It's a site with a fabulous event calendar for each of the major Texas cities. The Austin calendar has all the main happenings around Austin, and doesn't include every band playing every tiny venue, which clutters every other Austin event calendar. I really appreciate live music, but I have always wished it would be a separate calendar, so you don't have to scroll through 1000 events to find the Pecan Street Festival.
Me: I don't mind seeing a major act like Hootie and the Blowfish on an Austin calendar, I just don't want to sift through hundreds of coffee shop shows.
Jeff (laughing): Every time you refer to a generic band, it's Hootie and the Blowfish.
Me: It is?
Jeff: Yes! And I don't associate you with them at all. I would expect you to say...
Me: Maroon 5?
Jeff: ...Prince or Adam Ant or something. Anyone but Hootie and the Blowfish.
Me: Well, you gotta love Hootie.
(Prince and Adam Ant?! I thought Hootie and the Blowfish was a throwback!)
Lyrics of the Day
...When I wake to find the solace of
all that we've become
I can't wait to make the promises
that I've been leery of...
"I Will Wait" Hootie and the Blowfish
Saturday 9: O, Holy Night (1967)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) This beloved carol takes its lyrics from a French poem. What else can we thank the French for?
Friday night, when we were grabbing a burger for dinner, there was a disheveled man slumped into a corner booth, talking on a cell phone. He was speaking loudly, talking to a girl. He seemed upset, and I thought maybe we should GET THE HECK OUT OF THERE. Then the conversation suddenly turned more pleasant, and they got onto video chat of some sort. It was obviously the first time they'd seen each other.
He went on and on about how pretty she was and how no one was ever going to tell either one of them anymore how they weren't good enough, etc. He professed his love for her, obviously for the first time, and asked when she was coming to see him in Texas. Soon he asked if her mom and dad were home. (Where is Chris Hanson when you need him?)
After a few minutes he said, "How old do you think I AM?! I'm only 38/48!"
38/48?
He mentioned he could "kick anyone's ass" because he'd spent 12 years in prison and 15 on the street. (Grab the food. We're OUT.) Well, that accounts for 27 of his 38/48 years.
At some point he said he had been in the military. He explained that his record says he was only in for two months, but he was actually in for a few years. Evidently, after two months, he was selected for special ops and when you complete special ops service, the government erases your records... AND YOUR MEMORY. "That's how they do it these days." Mmmkay.
"Hold on. I need some weed."
He leaves all his crap (jacket, bottles of water, money) on the table and exits the restaurant to smoke outside the door. We're in the 'burbs, y'all. People smoke their weed at home, not at a restaurant. ;)
He comes back in, still video chatting. We left.
That was the most disturbing meal experience I've had since the McDonald's incident when the kiddos were little. The manager had to call the police to remove a guy fussing with some electronic device and talking to himself at his table next to us. Laura and I stayed there longer than we should have as well. Ha!
Friday Five: Celluloid Heroes
1. What movie most recently impressed you with its score or soundtrack?
My gift wrapping is complete! Mailed off the mailed things this morning. It's all spiced cider, Christmas music and Christmas light viewing from now to December 25. Whee!
Sunday Stealing: The Bearded Questions
What is some of your favorite music?
Maroon 5, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber's current album (is it too late now to say sorry not sorry? :p), Train, Matchbox Twenty
List your three favorite scents.
fresh shower, spiced cider, coffee
How do you ground yourself or recharge?
head outside and get closer to nature
Any ways you treat or spoil yourself?
I buy a Starbucks coffee beverage.
Besides your blog, do you have a creative past-time?
I used to write- short stories, poems, songs. Used to make videos. I haven't done anything creative in a while. I may have to make a Hobby Lobby stop soon.
Share something difficult you've been through.
When my dad was dying, Lauren was very ill. I traveled to upstate New York to be with my father in his final days, but it was really hard to leave Lauren, hard to be with Dad at the hospital where he was suffering so terribly, and hard to know how to balance needs there and at home. Just one of the worst weeks EVER.
What helps you fall asleep?
a cool, dark room, bundled up under the covers
What is one strength and one weakness of yours?
strength- remembering song lyrics
weakness- not remembering names
Have you ever received a letter or written one to someone else?
Uh... yes. What is this, 2095?
What makes you feel powerful, what breathes life into you?
a powerful song, like Muse's "Uprising"
What's your favorite thing to do at night?
go out to dinner and a show or concert
If you could go back to any era, what would it be?
the 1950's
Your favorite things to wear at home?
a flowy sundress
If you could be immortal or have an extremely long life span which would you pick and why?
I would be immortal. It would be very empowering to have no fear of death.
Tell us about something positive you have done for yourself or someone recently.
I just printed all of our insurance cards for our cars. Yeah, baby!
One thing you like about your appearance?
that I look like my mom and dad
Something that makes you feel better after a hard day?
relaxing on the couch
If you have one, name a favorite book and movie.
No favorite books lately. My all-time favorite movie is Love Actually.
Well, well, well. Scroll on down to the last paragraph of this NY Times article to see that it is completely sane to put tape over your webcam, thankyouverymuch.
Just saying. :)
We saw A Christmas Carol at Zach Friday night. Jeff and I both thought it was the traditional play, but were very pleasantly surprised to find it is actually a musical version, using current popular hits to accompany the traditional story! So everyone is in Victorian clothing and the set is of that time, but they're belting out today's Billboard hits. It's always this way, but they use different music each year. Awesome!
Greater Tuna's Jaston Williams plays Scrooge, perfectly. There are a lot of great singers in the show, but I have to mention a few freakin' amazing voices in particular- Kenny Williams (Ghost of Christmas Past, Mr. Entertainment), Chanel Haynes-Schwartz (Ghost of Christmas Present- a remarkable energy and gorgeous voice), Paul Sanchez (Bob Cratchit with his beautiful rendition of "Oh Holy Night") and Marianel Marquez (Marta Cratchit... OH MIGOSH that girl can SING!). Marianel sings "Halo" and the entire theater is silent, many brought to tears, until she finishes, then the place goes nuts.
On our way to lunch in the cold rain today, we were talking about having chili sometime this week. We talked about chili dogs and chili fries. I said chili fries sounded really good, because I haven't had them in years. Then, at lunch, they had chili cheese fries.
Jeff: You should get the chili cheese fries!
Me: Nah. I don't have any idea if they're any good here. I want good chili cheese fries, so if they're shitty, I'll have to have them again.
Jeff: Chili cheese fries are never shitty.
Probably true.
Saturday 9: Take My Breath Away (1996)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) When were you last breathless?
Design Home (available on iOS and Google Play) is Crowdstar's new, super-fun, highly addictive game made in association with HGTV. You are the designer and you shop from actual gorgeous furniture and accessories you can buy in real life, in order to compete in design challenges, to win more furniture and accessories, to decorate more rooms in more challenges.
You are also a judge for the challenges, for the designs of others playing the game.
OMG SO FUN! Where has this game been all my life?!
Here's an article about it at HGTV.
I've been playing a little over a week, and as cool as it is, in-game money is a limitation. There just isn't enough to do what you really want to do.
Can we just take a moment and pay our respects to the dying breed of game which gives you everything for your one-time purchase cost? $79.99 for Super Mario Galaxy and I never had to pay another penny to finish that sucker. Not. Another. Penny. Everything I needed was provided (except the skills to complete the Lava Spire Daredevil Run). No nag screens or annoying ads. Just game playing awesomeness.
Ahhhhh.
Anyhoo.. the money supply problems:
1) Items are expensive compared to the amount of game money available to you. Or, game money is scarce, compared to the cost of furniture and accessories. It's an imbalance.
2) The maximum number of uses (in my play so far) is only 1-5 for any furniture and accessory piece you purchase.
3) Purchasing game currency isn't a good value. For instance, $1.99 real cash buys you 3000 diamonds, which gets you a couch. Not necessarily the one you want, but it will get you a couch. That's a lot of real cash for a couch that can only be used 5 times. $100 real cash gets you 187,500 diamonds, which will buy you a lot of pretty things... that can be used 1-5 times before you need to pony up again.
To fix the widely perceived income/expense inequity (bloggers agree!), they could make items cheaper or raise the amount of game cash players get for challenges. I just feel the biggest drain of the tight game budget is the limited use of items. This is the one simple change I would make, to make the game infinitely more enjoyable, while maintaining cash flow for Crowdstar. If I could keep the items I bought, those in-app purchases look a lot more fairly priced.
It would also be nice to build up your personal inventory with no maximum number of uses, to be able to, say, remember that one orange chair you liked that would go perfectly with this new turquoise couch.
Another benefit of making a little more cash available for players: There are a bajillion items for sale in the game, but I haven't even glanced at anything over $2500, because I never have more than that to spend. Most of the time, I'm more in the $1100 range, because I need to get two things, like a chaise and a side table. I would enjoy looking through the store to see the supercool, expensive stuff I could save up for, or spend actual money to purchase game money for. Or even something I might buy in the real world.
Every day there are new items added to the store. I would love to look at the new things available each day and plan to buy them, by saving or spending real life cash.
That all being said, I'm obviously enjoying the game a lot. Here are some tips to maximize your in-game cash:
1) Don't squander your initial in-game cash and diamonds when you first start playing. I can't remember how much I got, but I paid no attention to how much my items cost. I just bought what I liked. You should purchase your first items with flexibility and budget in mind. Colors that go together or match lots of things. Styles that are not too "out there" so they match more things. Items that are cheaper, so you have lots of them.
2) Also on your first room... I read somewhere that you should take any items they give you for free. I can't remember what was available to me for free, but if they offer it, take it. Don't need to use it right away? Doesn't matter. Take it in whatever manner you can during that first room you decorate.
3) Do the daily challenge every day. There is $2500 in it for you upon completion. This is the biggest lump of game cash you can get, as far as I've played. If your daily challenge room isn't your best design, but it meets the requirements, that's ok. Submit and receive that $2500. Then go buy a couch or whatever you need.
4) Buy couches. I ran out of couches once and had to sit out (ha!) an entire day of challenges because you need a couch in almost every single living room challenge. The vast majority of challenges are living rooms.
5) If you can only create some lame-o mismatched garbage room for a challenge (other than the daily) with the pieces you own or have money to purchase, skip it. You may win a piece or two later in the day that you can use to make a great room. Most of the regular challenges only pay $500, so I'm really only doing those to try to win the item up for grabs. Those rooms should WOW, so you can win the prizes.
6) Buy items that go with things you already own, so you have some cohesive looks to put together.
There are a couple of little girls a few doors down, maybe 3-4 years old. When they play outside, they scream blood-curdling, horror movie screams. I almost flew down there the first time I heard it. Well, I have finally become immune to them. Unfortunately that means that if there is any legitimate screaming (neighbor chops off an arm, poltergeist attack, alien abduction...), you'll find me oblivious, happily sipping tea on my back porch.
We watched Bad Moms, How to Be Single and Steve Jobs over the holiday. Bad Moms was pretty good! I would say definitely rent it. The other two were okay. There were about five minutes during How to Be Single where I was laughing SO hard, then other times when it was incredibly depressing. Steve Jobs was kind of "one note," basically repeating the same scene over and over through his years of work. That may have been how it happened, but it was a lot to sit through. And the ending was weird. Meh.
Sunday Stealing
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Our was fabulous until the Aggie game. One day, we'll manage to stay in the top five through November. Not sure what the heck happens the last few weeks of the season, where we suddenly turn into a completely different team, but it's the weirdest, most frustrating thing ever. Gah!
I always have funny conversations with my mother-in-law. She was here this week for a few days for Lolo's birthday. She was telling me that she recently had a conversation with her dermatologist about Lauren's pain. She said he was very compassionate and is such a great person. She and my father-in-law have been going to him for years.
MIL: His son-in-law is Tony Romo. His son is some kind of big Hollywood guy. His last name is Crawford. I guess his son's last name would be the same. Do you know who it is?
Me: Chace Crawford?
OK. Let's stop there for a second.
I'm 49. I barely even know who Chace Crawford is. I have no idea why his name would enter my consciousness. Or how I know that it's spelled with a C, not an S.
I blame this on TMZ.
Anyhoo... I told her to Google him.
Me: The first or second link that comes up should be his Wikipedia page. It should have his parents' names on it.
She gets out her phone.
MIL (reading): That's him! His father is a dermatologist in Dallas and his brother-in-law is Tony Romo.
YES! If you ever need information on "big Hollywood guys," I'm your source.
A little while later we were having one of those "what ever happened to [insert celebrity name here]" conversations. We didn't know what happened to any of them. Until...
MIL: Oh! I wonder what ever happened to that Doogie Howser kid. Remember him? He was really good in that role.
Ummm, yes. Such a talent. Gosh, I hope that guy isn't penniless.
Will someone please poke me when it's safe to go back to Facebook? It looks like politics may have taken over permanently... well... except for on my neighborhood group, where the same old entertaining posts continue. One of the gals posted a video of herself lip-syncing in the aisles of our local grocery store to an old Pat Benatar song that was playing over the sound system. It was AWESOME and sort of makes up for having to sift through road rage-y posts and photos of dog poop. (Don't write off those obnoxious posts completely, because the comments can get pretty hilarious.)
I had a small, annoying dry skin patch- yeah, it has a medical name- on the bridge of my nose frozen at the dermatologist earlier this week. I've never had anything frozen before. The doc held what looked like a blow torch up to my face and said, "Close your eyes really tight."
SERIOUSLY?
Shouldn't the little skin spot have been painstakingly isolated and other areas protected? Perhaps some goggles would be in order? Maybe a shot of tequila? You cannot simply aim The Liquid Nitrogen Blow Torch of Doom at someone's face.
:)
The spot is healing now, and the surrounding tissue is fine, so don't fear, if this happens to you.
Before Jeff left on a flight for Cali yesterday, he told me that if anything happens to him, I need to remember to pay the property taxes before December 31. And that, my friends, is how you know you've been working on your will for too long!
Oh, the Travis County election folks called him back about the thing where our write-in votes for President didn't show up on the "final results." They told us that the "final results" are unofficial, which is indeed noted in the PDF. They said the write-in votes are manually counted and will be included in the "official final results."
Mmkay.
Write-in votes for Darrell Castle are clearly present. Did they only manage to count his votes for the unofficial final results?
When and where does one find the official final results? Will that be it, or are there approved official final results to come after that?
At least this has been a learning experience for how write-in voting works... or "sort of" works.
This will be two haiku in a row, since the first one I did (yesterday) turned out to be for last week. So, catching up...
Haiku Horizons prompt: "row"
the real Supermoon
rows of crazy football fans
pants down bottoms up
I told him I was going to blog about this, so...
My husband doesn't know what shoe size he wears. Not. Even. Kidding. He bought socks labeled Mens Shoe Size 6-12, and wasn't even sure his size was within that range, y'all.
Yeah, I dunno about that.
In other news, I found a cool meme blog called Haiku Horizons. They post a weekly, one word haiku prompt. Neat, eh? Here we go.
Haiku Horizons prompt: "choose"
elect the POTUS
of Brussels sprouts or liver
choose your favorite
Saturday 9: Ballad of Gilligan's Island (1964)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) This is about the fateful cruise of the S.S. Minnow. If you had a boat, what would christen it?
I can only be burned by so many beautiful red pomegranates that turn out to be all brown and gross inside before I stop buying them.
That wasn't a metaphor for anything. I'm just seriously irritated with every deceptive pom out there.
Same to you, pineapples. You look summery sweet on the outside, but inside? Hard and sour. I like bananas. What you see is what you get with them.
(Still not trying to be metaphorical.)
Maybe it's HEB's fault. Don't make me dig out my Randalls card, Heeb! That thing is dusty and forgotten in my junk drawer, but I will use it if I need to.
iTunes Memery
1. Put your iTunes on shuffle, write down the first line of songs 1-5 and give them to me as a poem.
What I want, you've got
And it might be hard to handle
But like the flame that burns the candle
The candle feeds the flame
I am not Jasmine
I am Aladdin
So far ahead
These bums is laggin'
Styles keep a changin'
The world's rearrangin'
But Edna, you're timeless to me
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
They say that love finds its way home
Around all the snakes inside your heart
Not bad, actually!
2. Put your iTunes on shuffle again and give me your favorite lyric from songs 1, 3 and 5.
"Disease" Matchbox Twenty: You're Hell on wheels in a black dress
"Not Over You" Gavin DeGraw: Dreams- that's where I have to go to see your beautiful face anymore
"Iris" Goo Goo Dolls: When everything feels like the movies, you bleed just to know you're alive
3. Put your iTunes on shuffle again. The title of song number 9 will be on your tombstone.
Your success as a family... our success as a nation... depends not on what happens inside the White House, but on what happens inside your house. -Barbara BushOh God. I'm posting twice in a day. It's just that... watching the posts on social media today has been painful.
We're not Democrats first. We're not Republicans first. We are Americans first. We're patriots first. -Barack ObamaRead more...
Trump wins? Surprising, even to him, I'm sure.
The media had us believing that Clinton was a shoo-in all this time, but she wasn't at all. And that is the danger of letting your personal views spin the news.
As I was planning to mention here this morning (about Ms. Clinton, but shock of all shocks, now about Mr. Trump), that we needn't fear that half the country is "crazy" to elect this person. Probably at least half of them voted for him because they felt they had no good choice and he was the lesser of two evils. I blame the Democrats for not backing a more electable candidate. They put all their eggs in her basket from early on, and it was a huge mistake.
During the primaries, I think Trump was the vote for big change in government. Many people who voted for him then didn't really think he would actually be the party candidate, but it felt good to send a message that they wanted a shake up in Washington DC. It turned out, there were more "big change" voters that anyone thought, and he became their guy. I don't think there was anything they could have done to change that. The voters had spoken.
I have hope that Trump will select quality, politically experienced people for his cabinet, including a few Dems, perhaps from his liberal past. I hope that they are exceedingly knowledgeable and can help him to become more presidential. One thing I know about him from the election season is that he is easily swayed to a softer stance after he becomes informed about issues. Perhaps his cabinet, Congress and others can inform him of the big picture, so he can take his "shock value" ideas and evolve them into reasonable policies.
I do have one big problem with this election. Jeff's and my presidential votes weren't counted.
If you look at the Travis County election results, and click the plus sign next to General Election, you will see that the only Presidential write-in who got any votes at all was Darrell Castle. Well, we both voted for another write-in candidate, and those two votes are NOT shown for him, with all precincts reporting. We were careful to spell it correctly, so I have no idea what happened there.
It makes you wonder. Were our other votes on this ballot counted? Was it only an issue with write-ins or a more wide-sweeping issue? Was it a glitch?
I am also disappointed that Prop 1 passed here in Austin. Congratulations, tax-n-spend Austin City Council. Glad to know that my fellow Austinites feel that what we really need is more sidewalks and bike trails to get our unbearable traffic moving.
One funny spot last night- this on The Daytripper's FB page, with the hashtag "ElectionNight":
Went with Jeff, Julie and KathyL to the Parade of Homes today in Dripping Springs. This year there are four homes and also several new homes open for viewing in the rest of the Caliterra neighborhood. The Parade homes are very pretty and we got a ton of ideas there, as usual. My favorite was a tub with an entire wall length cutout for shampoos and such, rather than just a rectangular cubby. This wasn't from the house we saw, but just as an example...
Watching the 'Bama/LSU game. Roll tide.
TAMU 28
Miss. State 35
Yeah, so... WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE IN AGGIE JERSEYS, AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH OUR AGGIES? I have no words. Okay, just a few. The team was unrecognizable today. You can't underestimate the opposition, no matter their record this season.
There were a few magical moments of Aggie awesomeness, but otherwise, it was all horse crap. Special teams, offense and defense all looking like they couldn't care less. And we lost Knight. Hubenak did pretty well, but with what he had to work with today, it wasn't enough to pull out the win.
The only good thing about today's game was that CBS wasn't calling it. Woohoo!
BTHO Ole Miss!
Saturday 9: Hold It Against Me (2011)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Britney Spears addresses this song to a dance partner when she hears her favorite song. What song always makes you want to get up and dance?
How great is it, that there is an article out there with the headline Constance Zimmer Doesn't Want You to Get a "Money. Dick. Power." Tattoo? Ha!
Constance Zimmer and Rashida Jones look alike. Right?
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| Constance |
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| Rashida |
In honor of last night's Halloween festivities... here is one of my all-time favorite comedy sketches:
Bwahaha!!! Priceless.
We binge-watched Stranger Things this weekend. Ohmigosh, SO good! The 80's nostalgia is a nice bonus. Definitely catch this 8-episode first season!
Had a fun lunch with two of my programmer buddies today. When conversation turned to a certain office "problem child," as it always seems to at some point, I realized something. You know the irrational, self-doubting thoughts even the most qualified and esteemed people have now and then, in positions of responsibility and power, where you are pretty sure the world is about to figure out that you are a complete fraud? Well, this person is an actual fraud, who continues to display incompetence at just about every aspect of the job.
I wondered... does the problem child have those "they're going to figure it out" thoughts EVERY DAY? How incredibly stressful that must be.
Most likely though, this person just thinks everyone else is stupid.
Anyhoo, they asked if I would please come back to the office, which was very sweet. I would love to work with them again every day. Perhaps it shall be so, someday, when we're working together at the Fair and Unbiased News Network!
Friday Food Survey
1. How do you feel about golden Oreos?
Oh. Mah. Gawd. Dolores Catania's kitchen reno before and after looks almost exactly like ours, right down to the gray island! Cool!
Dolores's
Mine
She has great taste. I just adore her and Siggy on RHONJ. Those two are like a couple of regular girls floating around in the sea of drama. They have the same shocked reactions to everything that we're having at home. I hope they stay around.
Lauren declared the Cheeseburger Spaghetti Pie I made last night for the first time to be "a recipe made up by high college students with a bunch of burger ingredients in the fridge." Neither she nor Jeff liked the ketchup that's in it. It tasted good to me, but I agree the sweetness is unexpected, since a more spicy or neutral tomato sauce is typically on pasta. I thought it would be a good alternative to pizza night, but it'll be a no-go!
Saturday 9: Tubular Bells (1973)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) According to Reader's Digest, The Exorcist is the scariest movie of all time. Have you seen it, and if so, did it scare you?
A&M 14
'Bama 33
Gah. We were winning in the third quarter against what is probably the best college football team in all of history. One ill-timed roughing the passer penalty led to a Tide touchdown, followed by huge emotional deflation, then 13 more points for 'Bama by the end of the game. I am so proud that we are incredibly improved from the past couple of years against them, and very disappointed that we couldn't keep up the fight.
Congrats to the crazy-amazing Crimson Tide. We'll see you next year!
Sunday Stealing: Wish List Meme
1.) What are 3 things on your Wish list and why?
I have grown quite weary of the media and other Clinton supporters shoving Hillary down our throats. I avoid anything resembling news lately, and if anyone mentions a political word, I do my best to smile and nod and move on.
Where does one go for "fair and unbiased" news, anyway? Our choices are 672 liberal media outlets who actually think Clinton can do no wrong and one FOX News who actually thinks Trump can do no wrong. Someone said the other day that the days of "fair and unbiased" news are in the past, and that we should embrace and appreciate journalists making their opinions known. Ummmm.... no thanks. With the media spinning everything, there is no truth in reporting. It's simply manipulation.
Sooo... my newest get-rich business idea with Crystal is Fair and Unbiased News- the FUN network! Check with your local cable provider.
Recent social media and blog posts, calling people who don't support Hillary "morons" and "idiots," truly shocked me last week. They also claimed votes "don't count" unless they are for Clinton or Trump, and if you don't vote for her, well... then you've obviously lost all your dang marbles.
Is this really where we've landed this election year? Perhaps you should focus on the candidates and not trashing your own friends.
Clinton will certainly win, but she'll have to be voted in by her supporters, along with the "lesser of two evils" folks who happen to land on her side. As for me, I'm writing someone in. (Yes, a valid candidate, not Mickey Mouse... although he would be a better choice than some others.)
If that means to you that I'm a moron and that my vote is wasted, so be it. :)
I wonder, are there any opposing viewpoints at newspapers or on television? Closeted conservatives at CNN, with secret handshakes? A few liberals at ol' FOX news giving each other a knowing glance when they pass in the halls? Surely there are. Yeesh, can you imagine going to a place like that every day for work right now? They've got to be even more excited than the rest of us that the election is almost over.
To end on a happy note this Friday evening, here's a little Michigan J. Frog. Remember him?!
...that lovin' raaaaaaaaag!
Jeff and I were at Mandola's last week. I grabbed a drink and went to the back room. Jeff came in a few minutes later.
"There's someone here you know! He'll be here in a minute to say hi."
Well, that could be anyone from the exterminator, to a childhood friend, to George Clooney, or anyone in-between.
(Clooney might come to my table to say hi, at my husband's request. Okay, when I actually see it written out, probably not.)
I asked for further clarification, but the hubby wouldn't give me any more info.
Dah dah daaaaaaah... It was the IT director from work. That would have been my last guess. Ha! Very nice of him to come over and chat!
Speaking of work (rare segue!), I had lunch with Mel and Crystal on Friday. The two new CDMs have been there two months, and Mel said one met with HR last week with a complaint about the manager. No surprise there. HR is going to coach the employee on how to work with this particular manager. We just keep saying, the first step to fixing a problem is admitting there's a problem. Shaking. My. Head.
And finally... #LastTextYouSentIsYourPresidentialCampaign:
Maroon 5's new song "Don't Wanna Know" was on the radio on my way home from the airport today. (Scott-n-Kirsten are on their way to Australia! I'm totally jealous!) I asked my personal assistant, Siri (...who happens to be Australian, ha!), "Hey Siri- Does Maroon 5 have a new album?"
He said, "Yes."
Smartassery. Alrighty then.
"What is Maroon 5's new album called?"
"Sugar: Deluxe Single."
"That was last year and 'Sugar' isn't an album."
"I'm sorry. I didn't understand that."
When Siri and I aren't on the same page, he should just say, "I'm sorry I didn't understand that, but I'd be happy to collect some George Clooney photos from the internet for your perusal, straightaway."
Then I don't have to contemplate trading him in for the British fellow.
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