Is anyone else creeped out by the Quaker Oats commercial? You know the one. A bunch of school age children pull a life size Quaker Oats statue around in a red wagon and pass out something....granola bars,maybe? What's up with that? Lillianna said this commercial scares her because the statue looks so weird. I have to agree. I would've liked this commercial better if it had been someone dressed up like a Quaker rather than hauling the statue to school. Why can't the kids just bring the bars to school? Why does the statue have to come too? That's just odd.
Speaking of statues.....when did Burger King become a peeping Tom? One of the commercials for their breakfast sandwich has the Burger King statue standing in the front yard looking in the window of someone's home. I guess he's supposed to wake them up with his delicious sandwich. Ya,well,ok but he looks all shiny and plastic like because....he's a statue! He's creepy too.
Whatever happened to actors? Is it cheaper to replace them with statues?
Now,on to one of the dumbest commercials....for Ziploc containers. That's the one where the husband is carrying his Ziploc container of salsa from the kitchen into his all white living room....white couches,white rug,white everything! While he does this he is reassuring his wife on the phone that he has not been in the living room all week and no, he isn't eating in there. Lies,lies,lies. During this chat,his one year old son is tossing the salsa container all over the living room which goes to prove how good those Ziploc containers are.
Here's my question....who,in their right mind,has an all white room if they have children? Who? I want names! Why is the husband such a moron? Just because the container doesn't leak,that doesn't mean he won't drip salsa on something while he is eating it! I hate this commercial.
What commercials drive you crazy?
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Home sick
I've been sick since I woke up Thursday morning. I worked until 11:00pm Thursday night and I felt horrible when I woke up Friday morning. I did manage to drag myself out of bed and get Lillianna's back to school supplies Friday afternoon and believe me,I felt like I had accomplished a lot with that little task.
Saturday was exhausting. By the end of the morning,I had lost my voice,so my last two patients were difficult for me and I think that thought I was bitchy because I only spoke when I had to. If I talked too much,I went into a coughing fit. I tried to protect the patients from that. I would've explained that to them but I didn't want to risk coughing.
At 12:00pm I ate 2 huge bowls of soup and went off to job #2 which is 6 1/2 hours of non-stop talking. I was feeling worse as the night dragged on. Luckily a co-worker offered to work for me Sunday morning and although I was reluctant at first, I took her up on it. (Thank-you Samantha!! You saved my life!)
Sunday morning I woke up feeling like I was in a fog. My cough was worse and I was ready to collapse. Rich and Lillianna left at 8:00am to go to their wargame and they didn't get back til 6:00pm. I had the whole day to re-group and rest.
Last night I was up in the living room watching t.v. from 12:30am-3:00am because I couldn't stop coughing in bed. I tossed and turned all night. One minute I was freezing. The next minute I was in a pool of sweat.
Today I have had moments of thinking I am much better followed by a coughing fit.
It's 2:30pm and I haven't managed to shower yet. I did the dishes and became exhausted. I don't have any energy at all. Now I am wondering if I should stay home from work one more day or suck it up and just go tomorrow. I hate calling in sick but I hate being sick even more!
Saturday was exhausting. By the end of the morning,I had lost my voice,so my last two patients were difficult for me and I think that thought I was bitchy because I only spoke when I had to. If I talked too much,I went into a coughing fit. I tried to protect the patients from that. I would've explained that to them but I didn't want to risk coughing.
At 12:00pm I ate 2 huge bowls of soup and went off to job #2 which is 6 1/2 hours of non-stop talking. I was feeling worse as the night dragged on. Luckily a co-worker offered to work for me Sunday morning and although I was reluctant at first, I took her up on it. (Thank-you Samantha!! You saved my life!)
Sunday morning I woke up feeling like I was in a fog. My cough was worse and I was ready to collapse. Rich and Lillianna left at 8:00am to go to their wargame and they didn't get back til 6:00pm. I had the whole day to re-group and rest.
Last night I was up in the living room watching t.v. from 12:30am-3:00am because I couldn't stop coughing in bed. I tossed and turned all night. One minute I was freezing. The next minute I was in a pool of sweat.
Today I have had moments of thinking I am much better followed by a coughing fit.
It's 2:30pm and I haven't managed to shower yet. I did the dishes and became exhausted. I don't have any energy at all. Now I am wondering if I should stay home from work one more day or suck it up and just go tomorrow. I hate calling in sick but I hate being sick even more!
Friday, August 26, 2005
Sorry,honey....I just have to write about this.
Rich told me I didn't have to write about this but,I do. I really do.
I may have mentioned in the past,that Rich isn't too computer savvy. He can check his email and surf the net but that's where it begins and ends.
I don't ask him anything when I have a computer problem. I know he won't have a clue. Generally, I call Comcast and talk to a customer service rep. That always gets the problem fixed.
This morning,I was trying to send an email and the computer froze. I waited a minute. Nothing. I pressed Ctrl Alt Delete but it was still stuck. I tried it again. Nothing. I sighed.
"The computer is frozen," I said in frustration.
Rich,being the helpful guy that he is suggested,"Why don't you push Cottorall Alt Delete?"
Trying to keep a straight face,I asked,"What?"
He flew across the room to rush to my side and bestow upon me his great computer knowledge.
"Just push Cottorall Alt Delete," he repeated.
He reached in front of me to push the 3 buttons that would hopefully reset my computer. I couldn't help myself. I had to ask him, "Did you say Cottorall?"
"Ya," he replied.
I said,"C-t-r-l isn't Cottorall it's Control! Control Alt Delete."
Rich looked at the keyboard and said,"C-t-r-l....there's no 'N'in that."
I didn't challenge him that Control is actually a word where Cottorall is not!
It's moments like this that I am reminded why I married this guy. He makes me laugh!
I may have mentioned in the past,that Rich isn't too computer savvy. He can check his email and surf the net but that's where it begins and ends.
I don't ask him anything when I have a computer problem. I know he won't have a clue. Generally, I call Comcast and talk to a customer service rep. That always gets the problem fixed.
This morning,I was trying to send an email and the computer froze. I waited a minute. Nothing. I pressed Ctrl Alt Delete but it was still stuck. I tried it again. Nothing. I sighed.
"The computer is frozen," I said in frustration.
Rich,being the helpful guy that he is suggested,"Why don't you push Cottorall Alt Delete?"
Trying to keep a straight face,I asked,"What?"
He flew across the room to rush to my side and bestow upon me his great computer knowledge.
"Just push Cottorall Alt Delete," he repeated.
He reached in front of me to push the 3 buttons that would hopefully reset my computer. I couldn't help myself. I had to ask him, "Did you say Cottorall?"
"Ya," he replied.
I said,"C-t-r-l isn't Cottorall it's Control! Control Alt Delete."
Rich looked at the keyboard and said,"C-t-r-l....there's no 'N'in that."
I didn't challenge him that Control is actually a word where Cottorall is not!
It's moments like this that I am reminded why I married this guy. He makes me laugh!
Thursday, August 25, 2005
August 25,1997
Eight years ago today,two things happened.
The first thing was that I had a freckle removed from my right foot. It was a big round spot on top of my foot,right between my big toe and the one next to it. Mom always called it a beauty mark and said that my foot was beautiful. Parents lie a lot, don't they?
I remember when I was about 5 years old and an older neighbor boy jumped on my sandaled foot. I kept screaming and trying to get away. He was convinced he was killing a bug on my foot. Hmmmph! Why didn't he know it was a beauty mark?
I may not have loved this spot all of my life but when the dermatologist decided to remove it,I was devastated. It had been a part of me for 34 years and I didn't feel like parting with it. I had mentioned that it had gotten lighter in color over the years and that sounded suspicious to the doctor, so off it went. There was nothing wrong with it and even now,eight years later,I feel a sadness wash over me when I see the empty spot where my beauty mark used to be.
The second thing that happened on this day was that Rich and I attended our last birthing class. After that,we were on our own. I felt safe in that class with other pregnant women,knowing we would all be going through the same experience. As long as we were in the class,nothing could happen to me.
On this last class,one couple didn't show up. They were in the hospital trying to have her labor stopped. She was carrying twins. She actually ended up delivering a few days before I did because I had just had Lillianna when she was being discharged from the hospital.
Once our class was over,I passed out a box of baby chocolates that I had made to every couple and to our birthing instructor. We wished each other luck and planned to meet at my house in January 1998 after the last baby in the class was born.Then we said good-bye.
For some reason,I remember this date every year and think about those two moments.
The first thing was that I had a freckle removed from my right foot. It was a big round spot on top of my foot,right between my big toe and the one next to it. Mom always called it a beauty mark and said that my foot was beautiful. Parents lie a lot, don't they?
I remember when I was about 5 years old and an older neighbor boy jumped on my sandaled foot. I kept screaming and trying to get away. He was convinced he was killing a bug on my foot. Hmmmph! Why didn't he know it was a beauty mark?
I may not have loved this spot all of my life but when the dermatologist decided to remove it,I was devastated. It had been a part of me for 34 years and I didn't feel like parting with it. I had mentioned that it had gotten lighter in color over the years and that sounded suspicious to the doctor, so off it went. There was nothing wrong with it and even now,eight years later,I feel a sadness wash over me when I see the empty spot where my beauty mark used to be.
The second thing that happened on this day was that Rich and I attended our last birthing class. After that,we were on our own. I felt safe in that class with other pregnant women,knowing we would all be going through the same experience. As long as we were in the class,nothing could happen to me.
On this last class,one couple didn't show up. They were in the hospital trying to have her labor stopped. She was carrying twins. She actually ended up delivering a few days before I did because I had just had Lillianna when she was being discharged from the hospital.
Once our class was over,I passed out a box of baby chocolates that I had made to every couple and to our birthing instructor. We wished each other luck and planned to meet at my house in January 1998 after the last baby in the class was born.Then we said good-bye.
For some reason,I remember this date every year and think about those two moments.
Mary Poppins 911
Yesterday I started thinking about Nanny 911. Lillianna and I watch that show every week. I know it has been compared to Mary Poppins because all the nannies are English but I realized Nanny 911 is Mary Poppins!
In Mary Poppins you have the dysfunctional Banks family. Jane and Michael are mischievous children who act out because they don't get any real attention from their parents. Mr.Banks is a workaholic who doesn't have time for his wife or kids. Mrs. Banks is wrapped up in her own world and gives little thought to her children as well.(She's busy fighting for the women's right to vote.)
Mary Poppins flies in. She brings a new way of thinking and a bright and cheery attitude. She speaks to the children on their own level.She makes them feel that she is interested in them,because she really is. Their attitude changes.
She gets the parents to realize how important being a family really is and to see what they were missing.
Mary Poppins realizes her job is done and she says goodbye to her beloved Banks family. There are some tears but Mary waves goodbye and flies away. The Banks family heads off to go fly a kite....together. And they all live happily ever after.
Sound familiar?
In Mary Poppins you have the dysfunctional Banks family. Jane and Michael are mischievous children who act out because they don't get any real attention from their parents. Mr.Banks is a workaholic who doesn't have time for his wife or kids. Mrs. Banks is wrapped up in her own world and gives little thought to her children as well.(She's busy fighting for the women's right to vote.)
Mary Poppins flies in. She brings a new way of thinking and a bright and cheery attitude. She speaks to the children on their own level.She makes them feel that she is interested in them,because she really is. Their attitude changes.
She gets the parents to realize how important being a family really is and to see what they were missing.
Mary Poppins realizes her job is done and she says goodbye to her beloved Banks family. There are some tears but Mary waves goodbye and flies away. The Banks family heads off to go fly a kite....together. And they all live happily ever after.
Sound familiar?
Sunday, August 21, 2005
How is this possible?
Here is another article in News Of The Weird.
Recurring Themes
Among the more astonishing repeat stories in News of the Weird are reports of people who had somehow managed to swallow their toothbrushes. The Saudi Press Association reported in January that doctors at King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Taif had removed a toothbrush from the stomach of a 70-year-old man (who claimed to have accidentally swallowed it 22 years ago). And in July, the Associated Press reported that a Taiwan surgeon had removed an eight-tooth, accidentally swallowed lower denture from the bronchial tube of a 45-year-old man. The man said he had misplaced the denture three years ago and had been looking everywhere for it. [Agence France-Presse, 1-18-05] [Newsday-AP, 8-1-05]
They've got to be kidding. I can barely brush my back teeth without gagging. How the heck did people swallow their toothbrush or their dentures? I mean seriously. When did accidentally swallowing dental products become an issue?
What's next? What about an electric toothbrush? I suppose if it's swallowed while it's still on,someone would feel it and wouldn't wait a million years to tell someone.Right? Gosh,who knows anymore!! What morons.
What if someone swallows a bottle of mouthwash? Mmmmm....minty goodness from the inside out! How about a pack of dental floss? I suppose that would go down a bit smoother than the other bulky items but what would that do to your intestines? Of course if you swallowed a toothbrush and then swallowed the floss,maybe you could tie the brush with the floss and pull it out?
Have you ever swallowed any dental products? Do you really feel this is a public concern?
Recurring Themes
Among the more astonishing repeat stories in News of the Weird are reports of people who had somehow managed to swallow their toothbrushes. The Saudi Press Association reported in January that doctors at King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Taif had removed a toothbrush from the stomach of a 70-year-old man (who claimed to have accidentally swallowed it 22 years ago). And in July, the Associated Press reported that a Taiwan surgeon had removed an eight-tooth, accidentally swallowed lower denture from the bronchial tube of a 45-year-old man. The man said he had misplaced the denture three years ago and had been looking everywhere for it. [Agence France-Presse, 1-18-05] [Newsday-AP, 8-1-05]
They've got to be kidding. I can barely brush my back teeth without gagging. How the heck did people swallow their toothbrush or their dentures? I mean seriously. When did accidentally swallowing dental products become an issue?
What's next? What about an electric toothbrush? I suppose if it's swallowed while it's still on,someone would feel it and wouldn't wait a million years to tell someone.Right? Gosh,who knows anymore!! What morons.
What if someone swallows a bottle of mouthwash? Mmmmm....minty goodness from the inside out! How about a pack of dental floss? I suppose that would go down a bit smoother than the other bulky items but what would that do to your intestines? Of course if you swallowed a toothbrush and then swallowed the floss,maybe you could tie the brush with the floss and pull it out?
Have you ever swallowed any dental products? Do you really feel this is a public concern?
Friday, August 19, 2005
Idiot!
Lillianna and I are at Kara and Peter's office today while they are away with the kids. The office is located across from the courthouse on a very busy street. There is a small parking lot off to the side but other than that,it's all street parking with meters.
I happened to look outside the window just a few minutes ago and noticed this man standing by his car. The 5 year old boy inside the car was popping out the sun roof and pulling himself up so that he was sitting on the roof of the car. Non-stop traffic is passing by this car but did the man care? I don't think so. He looked to be the boy's grandfather but unless he is completely senile,he should have known better.
At this point,a police car with the lights flashing,pulled up next to the idiot old man. The boy was rolling around on the roof!
I watched the exchange between the two men and it was pretty clear from his expression that the old man didn't know what the big deal was all about. The officer talked briefly,shook his head in dismay and walked away. The old man shrugged and got the boy from off of the roof.
Is there any adult out there who wouldn't have known that it was not ok to allow the 5 year old boy to roll around the roof of a car on a busy street? Anyone?
I happened to look outside the window just a few minutes ago and noticed this man standing by his car. The 5 year old boy inside the car was popping out the sun roof and pulling himself up so that he was sitting on the roof of the car. Non-stop traffic is passing by this car but did the man care? I don't think so. He looked to be the boy's grandfather but unless he is completely senile,he should have known better.
At this point,a police car with the lights flashing,pulled up next to the idiot old man. The boy was rolling around on the roof!
I watched the exchange between the two men and it was pretty clear from his expression that the old man didn't know what the big deal was all about. The officer talked briefly,shook his head in dismay and walked away. The old man shrugged and got the boy from off of the roof.
Is there any adult out there who wouldn't have known that it was not ok to allow the 5 year old boy to roll around the roof of a car on a busy street? Anyone?
Perception can change in an instant
If you would like to read Wednesday's post at DotMoms,then click right over here.
This is a story that just about broke my heart as I watched it unfold one day at the pool. I wish all parents were kind and loving to their children and to each other.
Wouldn't that be a great world to live in?
This is a story that just about broke my heart as I watched it unfold one day at the pool. I wish all parents were kind and loving to their children and to each other.
Wouldn't that be a great world to live in?
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Working
Lillianna wrote about working with me at Kara's office yesterday and Friday.
If you have a chance,head on over to Lillianna's Place and answer her question about the best job you've ever had.
If you have a chance,head on over to Lillianna's Place and answer her question about the best job you've ever had.
What a day
I have been working every day since last Tuesday and I am tired. I woke up at 5am for the 8th day in a row and dragged my butt to work. Tuesdays haven't been that hectic in the past month because doctors are on vacation so I was hoping for a nice easy day without too much effort on my part. I sucked down my Dunkin Donut's iced coffee on the 30 minute drive to work and hoped that was enough to get me through my day.
I got to work,put my things in my locker and went to check the list of technicians who were working with each doctor. I wanted to cry when I saw cross-outs and arrows and only Laurie's name with mine next to a doctor who was scheduled to see 26 patients from 8am-10:30am. Usually we have 3,possibly 4 techs with this kind of schedule because rather than being seen in the usual FOUR hours,it's being squished into 2 1/2 hours. Then I saw that there was only one tech with the other doctor who had 19 patients scheduled. For this particular doctor,that would require three techs.
I was told one tech was being sent to help from another office and she would "float" between both doctors. I told Bill,a fellow tech and our schedule coordinator, that I wanted to bolt out the door. I asked if he could pretend he hadn't seen me and was it too late to call in sick for today? He laughed. He was the one working alone with the other doctor,bless his heart. He always puts himself on the worst schedule.
I didn't know where I would get the energy for this but I had to suck it up,yet again,and do the job. Luckily,a friend of my mom's was my second patient and she put me in a happy mood. Other than one whiney patient who drove me nuts,it wasn't a bad morning and I was so happy when I finished the last one. What a relief. Since my co-workers still had the afternoon to contend with,I volunteered to be the "late tech" which stays until all the patients have been seen by the doctor,so they could go to lunch on time. They were all happy. Bill was very grateful.
Even though this day did not look like it was going to be a very pleasant one,it ended up not being too bad since the techs who had Visual Field Tests,Disc Photos and Ultra Sounds to do,came to bail us out when they had the chance. That made a big difference.Team work is very important and to have a coordinator who is compassionate and who has a good sense of humor, really helps to make a bad situation into one that is tolerable.
Does your supervisor or manager make your life better or worse?
(Get it? Better or worse? Like when you have an eye exam.....Is it better or worse? Ok,I suppose explaining that doesn't make it funny but.....I'M TIRED!)
I got to work,put my things in my locker and went to check the list of technicians who were working with each doctor. I wanted to cry when I saw cross-outs and arrows and only Laurie's name with mine next to a doctor who was scheduled to see 26 patients from 8am-10:30am. Usually we have 3,possibly 4 techs with this kind of schedule because rather than being seen in the usual FOUR hours,it's being squished into 2 1/2 hours. Then I saw that there was only one tech with the other doctor who had 19 patients scheduled. For this particular doctor,that would require three techs.
I was told one tech was being sent to help from another office and she would "float" between both doctors. I told Bill,a fellow tech and our schedule coordinator, that I wanted to bolt out the door. I asked if he could pretend he hadn't seen me and was it too late to call in sick for today? He laughed. He was the one working alone with the other doctor,bless his heart. He always puts himself on the worst schedule.
I didn't know where I would get the energy for this but I had to suck it up,yet again,and do the job. Luckily,a friend of my mom's was my second patient and she put me in a happy mood. Other than one whiney patient who drove me nuts,it wasn't a bad morning and I was so happy when I finished the last one. What a relief. Since my co-workers still had the afternoon to contend with,I volunteered to be the "late tech" which stays until all the patients have been seen by the doctor,so they could go to lunch on time. They were all happy. Bill was very grateful.
Even though this day did not look like it was going to be a very pleasant one,it ended up not being too bad since the techs who had Visual Field Tests,Disc Photos and Ultra Sounds to do,came to bail us out when they had the chance. That made a big difference.Team work is very important and to have a coordinator who is compassionate and who has a good sense of humor, really helps to make a bad situation into one that is tolerable.
Does your supervisor or manager make your life better or worse?
(Get it? Better or worse? Like when you have an eye exam.....Is it better or worse? Ok,I suppose explaining that doesn't make it funny but.....I'M TIRED!)
Monday, August 15, 2005
What's in a name?
In 1974,my mother was pregnant. I was almost 12 years old. It was fun for me because I got to help pick out clothes and other items for "the baby." There was no ultra sound to reveal the sex of "the baby" so we had to patiently wait.
The hardest part was picking out a name. Mom came up with Brian Mark if it turned out to be a boy. I didn't care about a boy's name. Nana and I decided this baby was going to be a girl so the name we chose was extremely important.
I have always hated my name. How many times do I have to hear,
"Oh,are you the red,red,robin that goes bob,bob,bobbin' along?" How can you answer that? "Yes,that's me.How did you know?"
One dirty old man came into my work when I was 25 and when he read my name tag he asked,"So,Robin,do you have a red breast?"
What a perv! How could he not be ashamed of himself?
I have also heard,"Oh,so you're the Robin in the song,robin,robin,walking to Missouri. Can't afford to fly." Apparently that's some obscure bird song but several people have said it so it must be out there.
Then of course there's always,"Are you the Robin in Batman and Robin?" "Yes,of course I am. DUH!"
It's maddening. Robin is such a crappy name. (Sorry to anyone named Robin who loves the name. I wish I did!) When I lived in Israel and was introduced to someone new,they always asked,"Isn't Robin a boy's name?"
So,naming my sister was very important to me. I wanted her to have a beautiful name that she would always be proud of and love.
I came up with the name Heather. For me,Heather brings thoughts of lavender and joy to my mind. I wanted that for my sister.
Nana found the name Kara in my dance recital program. She liked it.
I wasn't so sure about that. Then we decided on the middle name Beth. I just loved Bethie from Little Women. I was ok with that. Hmmmm....Kara Beth. It wasn't Heather,but it sounded pretty and had a nice ring to it.
Thirty years later,Kara is very much Kara and not Heather. I still love the name Heather but it would not have suited Kara at all.
Names are funny,aren't they? Do we grow into the name that we are given or are we destined to have a certain name?
What do you think?
The hardest part was picking out a name. Mom came up with Brian Mark if it turned out to be a boy. I didn't care about a boy's name. Nana and I decided this baby was going to be a girl so the name we chose was extremely important.
I have always hated my name. How many times do I have to hear,
"Oh,are you the red,red,robin that goes bob,bob,bobbin' along?" How can you answer that? "Yes,that's me.How did you know?"
One dirty old man came into my work when I was 25 and when he read my name tag he asked,"So,Robin,do you have a red breast?"
What a perv! How could he not be ashamed of himself?
I have also heard,"Oh,so you're the Robin in the song,robin,robin,walking to Missouri. Can't afford to fly." Apparently that's some obscure bird song but several people have said it so it must be out there.
Then of course there's always,"Are you the Robin in Batman and Robin?" "Yes,of course I am. DUH!"
It's maddening. Robin is such a crappy name. (Sorry to anyone named Robin who loves the name. I wish I did!) When I lived in Israel and was introduced to someone new,they always asked,"Isn't Robin a boy's name?"
So,naming my sister was very important to me. I wanted her to have a beautiful name that she would always be proud of and love.
I came up with the name Heather. For me,Heather brings thoughts of lavender and joy to my mind. I wanted that for my sister.
Nana found the name Kara in my dance recital program. She liked it.
I wasn't so sure about that. Then we decided on the middle name Beth. I just loved Bethie from Little Women. I was ok with that. Hmmmm....Kara Beth. It wasn't Heather,but it sounded pretty and had a nice ring to it.
Thirty years later,Kara is very much Kara and not Heather. I still love the name Heather but it would not have suited Kara at all.
Names are funny,aren't they? Do we grow into the name that we are given or are we destined to have a certain name?
What do you think?
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Flashback to the 60's
This post was inspired by Carol's post about traveling.
When I was a child,no one ever had to tell me we were going a a road trip. I always knew a vacation was coming up when Mom bought two things: Doo-Dads and Chicken-in-a-biskit. Now I had always thought it was biscuit but apparently,I was wrong. I couldn't find any pictures of Doo-Dads but they were a mixture of cheese nips,pretzles and I think maybe peanuts.
Looking back,I can't imagine who thought up the idea of a cracker that tasted like chicken. How is that delicious? I ate them because I didn't realize the weirdness of it but now,if I want chicken,I'll eat chicken. I don't want something that tastes like chicken.
It's not like chicken is super expensive and we can't afford it so we buy things that have that flavor. Most people can afford chicken.
I remember being in England years ago and they had potato chips (they are called "crisps" over there) that had weird flavors: chicken,prawn and who knows what else. So apparently there is a chicken demand somewhere.
So I have two questions that I would like to throw out to you.
1)What foods did your family pack for road trips when you were a child?
2)What is the weirdest flavored food you have ever eaten? (If you have had vomit jellybeans from Harry Potter please don't tell me. I really don't want to know!)
When I was a child,no one ever had to tell me we were going a a road trip. I always knew a vacation was coming up when Mom bought two things: Doo-Dads and Chicken-in-a-biskit. Now I had always thought it was biscuit but apparently,I was wrong. I couldn't find any pictures of Doo-Dads but they were a mixture of cheese nips,pretzles and I think maybe peanuts.
Looking back,I can't imagine who thought up the idea of a cracker that tasted like chicken. How is that delicious? I ate them because I didn't realize the weirdness of it but now,if I want chicken,I'll eat chicken. I don't want something that tastes like chicken.
It's not like chicken is super expensive and we can't afford it so we buy things that have that flavor. Most people can afford chicken.
I remember being in England years ago and they had potato chips (they are called "crisps" over there) that had weird flavors: chicken,prawn and who knows what else. So apparently there is a chicken demand somewhere.
So I have two questions that I would like to throw out to you.
1)What foods did your family pack for road trips when you were a child?
2)What is the weirdest flavored food you have ever eaten? (If you have had vomit jellybeans from Harry Potter please don't tell me. I really don't want to know!)
Friday, August 12, 2005
Kids and sex....in the news again.
I read this article in southofboston.com last night. I was appalled. Why do kids believe that oral sex is no big deal? I can't imagine being an 11 year old girl and thinking this was ok. It is as far from ok as you can get.
BROCKTON — Police are investigating allegations that an 11-year-old girl performed a sex act on three boys, with one as young as 9, as the children played video games.
The allegations surfaced this week after a 9-year-old boy told his parents that the girl performed a sex act on him and two friends in a bedroom at the 9-year-old's home, prompting a call to police Monday. The boy's parents were home in a different room at the time.
"This is unusual, but unfortunately it is becoming more prevalent," Lt. William Conlon, chief of detectives, said of pre-teen sexual activity. "It is starting younger and younger."
Conlon said some children are becoming sexually active and parents need to keep a close watch on where they are, as well as what they are doing, even when at home.
Studies are backing up that concern.
One study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy found that 18 to 19 percent of youths have had sexual intercourse at age 14 or younger.
Another study, commissioned by NBC News and People magazine, found 77 percent of teens surveyed considered oral sex "sex" but 43 percent did not consider oral sex "as big a deal" as intercourse.
However, when children as young as 9 and 11 are performing sex acts red flags should be raised, said Elizabeth Englander, a Bridgewater State College psychologist and author of "Understanding Violence."
"I would not accept the argument that they saw it on television," she said. "If my child is thinking about specific sex acts, perhaps the child has been shown pornography or has been sexually abused."
In the most recent case, police are continuing to interview people and gather information in the investigation.
The 9-year-old told his parents, and later police, that the incident occurred Sunday after the children watched a movie, "Hide and Seek," a 2005 horror film rated R for "frightening sequences and violence," according to the Internet Movie Database.
Then they went to an upstairs bedroom to play a baseball video game.
The 9-year-old told police the others went upstairs first and when he joined them the girl was already performing oral sex on one of the boys.
He said he went into the room and played video games with the other child.
The girl then performed the sex act on a 13-year-old boy and on the 9-year-old. He told police he did not want to participate but was pressured to.
The age of the third boy was believed to be around the same as the others. Police were trying to identify him.
The girl, interviewed at her home with her mother, told police the group watched a movie, went upstairs to play video games and the boys forced her to perform the sex acts, Conlon said.
The 13-year-old boy, when interviewed by police, also said they watched a movie and went to play video games, but insisted the girl "made them do it" and there was no coercion, Conlon said.
I don't even know what to say about this. I remember being French Kissed at the age of 15 by an 18 year old boy that I had had a crush on all summer. He finally asked me out on a date and I was thrilled. When he took me home,he stuck his tongue in my mouth and I swallowed my gum by mistake. I was shocked and horrified. What the heck was his tongue doing in my mouth?
Now, at 11,there is more than someone's tongue in your mouth to worry about. It's a scary world out there!
BROCKTON — Police are investigating allegations that an 11-year-old girl performed a sex act on three boys, with one as young as 9, as the children played video games.
The allegations surfaced this week after a 9-year-old boy told his parents that the girl performed a sex act on him and two friends in a bedroom at the 9-year-old's home, prompting a call to police Monday. The boy's parents were home in a different room at the time.
"This is unusual, but unfortunately it is becoming more prevalent," Lt. William Conlon, chief of detectives, said of pre-teen sexual activity. "It is starting younger and younger."
Conlon said some children are becoming sexually active and parents need to keep a close watch on where they are, as well as what they are doing, even when at home.
Studies are backing up that concern.
One study by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy found that 18 to 19 percent of youths have had sexual intercourse at age 14 or younger.
Another study, commissioned by NBC News and People magazine, found 77 percent of teens surveyed considered oral sex "sex" but 43 percent did not consider oral sex "as big a deal" as intercourse.
However, when children as young as 9 and 11 are performing sex acts red flags should be raised, said Elizabeth Englander, a Bridgewater State College psychologist and author of "Understanding Violence."
"I would not accept the argument that they saw it on television," she said. "If my child is thinking about specific sex acts, perhaps the child has been shown pornography or has been sexually abused."
In the most recent case, police are continuing to interview people and gather information in the investigation.
The 9-year-old told his parents, and later police, that the incident occurred Sunday after the children watched a movie, "Hide and Seek," a 2005 horror film rated R for "frightening sequences and violence," according to the Internet Movie Database.
Then they went to an upstairs bedroom to play a baseball video game.
The 9-year-old told police the others went upstairs first and when he joined them the girl was already performing oral sex on one of the boys.
He said he went into the room and played video games with the other child.
The girl then performed the sex act on a 13-year-old boy and on the 9-year-old. He told police he did not want to participate but was pressured to.
The age of the third boy was believed to be around the same as the others. Police were trying to identify him.
The girl, interviewed at her home with her mother, told police the group watched a movie, went upstairs to play video games and the boys forced her to perform the sex acts, Conlon said.
The 13-year-old boy, when interviewed by police, also said they watched a movie and went to play video games, but insisted the girl "made them do it" and there was no coercion, Conlon said.
I don't even know what to say about this. I remember being French Kissed at the age of 15 by an 18 year old boy that I had had a crush on all summer. He finally asked me out on a date and I was thrilled. When he took me home,he stuck his tongue in my mouth and I swallowed my gum by mistake. I was shocked and horrified. What the heck was his tongue doing in my mouth?
Now, at 11,there is more than someone's tongue in your mouth to worry about. It's a scary world out there!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
No day off
My sister is going away for a couple of days.She has asked me to work in the office and answer the phone for her while she is gone. Since the 3 days I agreed to work for her are my regular days off, I will be working for 13 days straight without a day off. Luckily the pay is good and it will give us extra money to spend in Disney in November, but 13 days with no day off.....what was I thinking?
TIMBER!
The funniest things make Lillianna happy. If I am sitting on my bed,she likes to come and sit on my lap facing me and rock. She rocks about 3 times and then we fall to the bed and she says,"TIMBER!" It's not like bungee jumping. It's more like the difference between "upright" and "reclining" in a seat on an airplane but she likes falling while I hold on to her. Maybe it gives her a sense of security. Maybe it's just the crazy mind of a 7 year old. Who knows?
I love the sound of Lillianna's laugh so if Timbering makes her happy,let's Timber!!
What funny things do you do with your children?
I love the sound of Lillianna's laugh so if Timbering makes her happy,let's Timber!!
What funny things do you do with your children?
The Lipstick Chronicles
Today,over at The Lipstick Chronicles,there is a post called Dishing With the DotMoms.
It's part one of an interview with some of the DotMoms about books: what we read,how often we read and what we like. I am one of the lucky moms that was interviewed.
I think it's so cool to be on someone else's blog. Yup,I am a dork. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Go ahead and check out the interview. It's really quite interesting.
It's part one of an interview with some of the DotMoms about books: what we read,how often we read and what we like. I am one of the lucky moms that was interviewed.
I think it's so cool to be on someone else's blog. Yup,I am a dork. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Go ahead and check out the interview. It's really quite interesting.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Look Ma,no cavities!
I remember that used to be the catch phrase,in the olden days,for Crest,Gleem or Colgate toothpaste. It was a phrase I never got to say. No matter how much I brushed,flossed or used those red Butler tablets,I always had cavities. Remember those red tablets? After brushing all the enamel off your teeth,you chewed up a tablet,swished it around in your mouth and then spit it out and.....smiled in the mirror! All the red spots were the areas that you didn't brush well. It was a shock sometimes,it really was.
Every time I went for a cleaning at the dentist's office,I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.It never helped. There were always cavities. When I was 13 years old,I had 13 cavities. It was depressing. It seemed like I was destined to have a mouth full of silver fillings. How attractive!
Well,after 38 years of going to the dentist,(I started when I was 4 years old),I can finally say,"Look Ma,no cavities!" I had my cleaning today and the dental hygienist said my gums looked great.I didn't have any tartar and she didn't think I had any cavities. When Dr.Q checked my x-rays he said there weren't any cavities but a piece of one of my fillings fell out so he would replace it at my next appointment. I was so stunned that I didn't have any cavities! Even Dr.Q was surprised. He said,"I think this is your best check up ever!" I've been going to him since I was 16 years old.
So,I wanted to share my good news with the world because to me,this is a miracle!!!
Every time I went for a cleaning at the dentist's office,I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.It never helped. There were always cavities. When I was 13 years old,I had 13 cavities. It was depressing. It seemed like I was destined to have a mouth full of silver fillings. How attractive!
Well,after 38 years of going to the dentist,(I started when I was 4 years old),I can finally say,"Look Ma,no cavities!" I had my cleaning today and the dental hygienist said my gums looked great.I didn't have any tartar and she didn't think I had any cavities. When Dr.Q checked my x-rays he said there weren't any cavities but a piece of one of my fillings fell out so he would replace it at my next appointment. I was so stunned that I didn't have any cavities! Even Dr.Q was surprised. He said,"I think this is your best check up ever!" I've been going to him since I was 16 years old.
So,I wanted to share my good news with the world because to me,this is a miracle!!!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Premonition
Yesterday,Lillianna and I spent our typical 3 hours at the pool.At 5pm she asked if we could stay until 6pm. I wanted to get home,shower and make dinner before Rich arrived home from work at 6:30pm so I told her we could stay until 5:30pm. At 5:15pm it started to get dark and we heard thunder. I decided it was a good thing we were leaving in 15 minutes.
The clouds began rolling in at 6:05pm, but Lillianna and I were safely in our jammies after our shower by the time the thunder became rumbly enough to scare her. Then she saw lightning and began to yell in her room. She is quite a dramatic child so I didn't really pay much attention to her cries of,"He's never going to make it home safely," until she became upset. I asked who wasn't going to make it home? She replied,"Daddy,"
Well, that did throw me for a minute but I reassured her he'd be ok and I went about making dinner. I had the urge to call Rich on his cell phone to make sure he was indeed alive but in a storm like that,the last thing he needed was to be distracted looking for his phone and talking to me so I continued what I was doing and Lillianna calmed down a bit.
When Rich walked through the door he was frazzled. Here is his story.
"I was coming down the road and all of a sudden the sky just opened up and it started pouring. I couldn't stop because there were cars behind me and I couldn't see in front of me. There were branches falling off the trees and debris hitting the car and I saw the wind pushing half a tree onto the road. I didn't want to stop and didn't want to get hit by the tree so I slowed down because I didn't know what was happening with the tree. The wind let up a little bit so I drove past the tree and just as I went past the tree,the wind blasted again and half the tree fell down into the street. I couldn't see what happened but the cars behind would've had to stop.
There was debris all over the streets for the rest of the way home. I passed at least 4 accidents."
Lillianna was so relieved when Rich came home and I was stunned that she had sensed he was in trouble when I was completely oblivious. It really shouldn't have surprised me because she has always been able to see things that are unexplainable.
Thank goodness Rich came home safe and sound.
The clouds began rolling in at 6:05pm, but Lillianna and I were safely in our jammies after our shower by the time the thunder became rumbly enough to scare her. Then she saw lightning and began to yell in her room. She is quite a dramatic child so I didn't really pay much attention to her cries of,"He's never going to make it home safely," until she became upset. I asked who wasn't going to make it home? She replied,"Daddy,"
Well, that did throw me for a minute but I reassured her he'd be ok and I went about making dinner. I had the urge to call Rich on his cell phone to make sure he was indeed alive but in a storm like that,the last thing he needed was to be distracted looking for his phone and talking to me so I continued what I was doing and Lillianna calmed down a bit.
When Rich walked through the door he was frazzled. Here is his story.
"I was coming down the road and all of a sudden the sky just opened up and it started pouring. I couldn't stop because there were cars behind me and I couldn't see in front of me. There were branches falling off the trees and debris hitting the car and I saw the wind pushing half a tree onto the road. I didn't want to stop and didn't want to get hit by the tree so I slowed down because I didn't know what was happening with the tree. The wind let up a little bit so I drove past the tree and just as I went past the tree,the wind blasted again and half the tree fell down into the street. I couldn't see what happened but the cars behind would've had to stop.
There was debris all over the streets for the rest of the way home. I passed at least 4 accidents."
Lillianna was so relieved when Rich came home and I was stunned that she had sensed he was in trouble when I was completely oblivious. It really shouldn't have surprised me because she has always been able to see things that are unexplainable.
Thank goodness Rich came home safe and sound.
Friday, August 05, 2005
I'm not dreading the weekend
Today is Friday.(Sometimes I like to state the obvious.) I enjoy my Fridays since it's one of my days off but as the day wears on, I start to dread the busy weekend ahead. However,tomorrow is also going to be a day off for me. Saturdays I work two jobs: 7:30am-12:30pm at job #1,then 1:00pm-9:30pm at job #2. Not tomorrow!
Do I hear a big YAHOO!!!!!!! Come on people,cheer with me.
Originally,Jess was supposed to swim in Boston tomorrow but due to her shoulder injury, she wasn't able to make the trip. I told her months ago that I would take Aug 6th off just in case she could come because Lillianna and I were dying to meet her. The worst that could happen was that if she couldn't make it,I would have a day off. I know we will meet up eventually so although I won't meet her tomorrow,all hope is not lost. I'm hoping she goes to school in Massachusetts or at least a nearby state!(No pressure,Jess!)
So,today,after delivering our cable bill and eating lunch,Lillianna and I are heading to the pool. The temperature is high....too high to think about,so being immersed in cool water is the only fun solution.
Tomorrow is family day. We are thinking of going to the zoo and then out to dinner.
That's Lillianna's plan,anyway.
Have a great weekend!
Do I hear a big YAHOO!!!!!!! Come on people,cheer with me.
Originally,Jess was supposed to swim in Boston tomorrow but due to her shoulder injury, she wasn't able to make the trip. I told her months ago that I would take Aug 6th off just in case she could come because Lillianna and I were dying to meet her. The worst that could happen was that if she couldn't make it,I would have a day off. I know we will meet up eventually so although I won't meet her tomorrow,all hope is not lost. I'm hoping she goes to school in Massachusetts or at least a nearby state!(No pressure,Jess!)
So,today,after delivering our cable bill and eating lunch,Lillianna and I are heading to the pool. The temperature is high....too high to think about,so being immersed in cool water is the only fun solution.
Tomorrow is family day. We are thinking of going to the zoo and then out to dinner.
That's Lillianna's plan,anyway.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Another advertisement that made me crazy!
I was clipping coupons a few minutes ago when I came across an ad for Always Pads.
Next to the coupon it said, "Have a nice period." Now why does that lead me to believe that a man wrote this ad? How does one have a nice period? Even Midol can't completely eliminate the cramping and head aches. The only way for me to have a nice period would be to have the week off from work,heavy meds to mask the pain and someone to rub my back for 4 days. It also wouldn't be so bad if someone were on staff 24/7 to run and fix the weird things I often crave during this time. If I can't have that,then there is no way to have a nice period,even when using Always pads.
So,to the delusional people at Always....get another slogan,please. You're just pissing me off with this one. And I'm not just saying that because I have PMS!!!!
Next to the coupon it said, "Have a nice period." Now why does that lead me to believe that a man wrote this ad? How does one have a nice period? Even Midol can't completely eliminate the cramping and head aches. The only way for me to have a nice period would be to have the week off from work,heavy meds to mask the pain and someone to rub my back for 4 days. It also wouldn't be so bad if someone were on staff 24/7 to run and fix the weird things I often crave during this time. If I can't have that,then there is no way to have a nice period,even when using Always pads.
So,to the delusional people at Always....get another slogan,please. You're just pissing me off with this one. And I'm not just saying that because I have PMS!!!!
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