For the love of Nog

If I could live on only 10 foods for the rest of my life, eggnog would make the list. If I could only live on 5 foods for the rest of my life...yes, nog would still make the list. And if I could only live on one food for the rest of my life??? It just might be Nog!

Silk soy nog is the absolute best -- my favorite for sure, with maybe alcholic versions of nog excluded. I went to the store the other day, bought a quart and drank almost all of it that day...on the way home from the grocery store...which is only a mile away. I know, I have a nog addiction, but I love it -- I seriously love eggnog!

Here is a list of all of the forms of eggnog that I am aware of:
Traditional
Lite
Soy
Vegan
Alocholic
Coffee
Ice cream
Milkshake
Chocolate
French Toast
Cookies
Cakes
Cheesecakes
Doughnuts
Breads
Lollipops

In fact, there is an entire website (probably several!) dedicated to the loved of nog. It's just sweet, creamy, nutmeggy goodness!

I think I'm going to go on a soy nog diet this Christmas. I'll just drink soy eggnog every meal that I eat alone -- most lunches and some dinners. It would certainly be easier than packing lunches. Think I'll loose weight? Maybe not, but I'll sure wake up on January 1st one happy, noggy lady!

7-Eleven: Vote for president by pouring a cup of Joe (JAX Business Journal)

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven Inc. is once again rolling out its 7-Election presidential coffee cup poll.

7-Eleven coffee drinkers voice their pick for U.S. president in the informal poll by simply pouring their coffee into a red cup if they intend on voting for Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., or into a blue cup for Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

The stores’ polls open Wednesday and run through Nov. 4. Undecided voters can simply choose an unmarked 7-Eleven cup for their morning Joe. 7-Eleven stores also are offering bipartisan red, white and blue Big Gulp cups for consumers.

Dallas-based 7-Eleven has conducted the unofficial poll twice before. Nothing surprises the company more than the unofficial poll’s election accuracy.

“While we don’t bill this as a statistically valid study by any means, it does reach Americans in their hometowns, on their way to work, after school or just going about their everyday lives,” said 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto. “7-Election provides an interesting daily snapshot of the election.”

In 2000, 51.2 percent of 7-Eleven voters chose George W. Bush, compared to 48.9 percent who chose Al Gore. In the actual election, 47.9 percent of U.S. voters chose Bush, compared to 48.4 percent who chose Gore.

In 2004, 51 percent of 7-Eleven voters selected Bush and 49 percent selected John Kerry. In the actual election, 50.7 percent of U.S. voters chose Bush, compared to 48.3 percent who chose Kerry.

Woman Finds Bat In Coffee Filter

It wasn't just the caffeine that gave a Cedar Rapids, Iowa woman an extra jolt when she had her morning cup of coffee. It was the bat she found in the coffee filter.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health say the woman reported seeing a bat in her house, but wasn't overly worried about it. She turned on her automatic coffee maker before she went to bed and had her coffee the next morning.

She discovered the bat in the filter of the coffee maker when she went to clean it out that night. The woman, who wasn't identified, underwent treatment for rabies.

The bat was sent to a state lab for testing, but its brain was too cooked by the heat of the brewing water to determine if it had rabies.

The Family and Friends Tour: Roadsigns

So far our vacation -- aka: The Family and Friends Tour -- has proven to be a wild success. We are really enjoying reconnecting with...you guessed it...family and friends! Food, laughs and fun -- what could make for a better vacation???

On the way up here, we saw many roadsigns -- some more memorable than others. Without further adieu (?), I now present to you...

The Family and Friends Tour Most Memorable Roadsign Awards!

Strangest restaraunt name: Alagatu Japanese Steakhouse
Riskiest restaraunt name: Heidi's Cafe - more sandwich than you can shake a pickle at
Most mysterious: 3 donkeys, 2 nails and a secret passageway
Funniest overall: Sleep Tight(wad) (Comfort Inn)
Most depressing: 1.800.DIV.ORCE
Weirdest: B's Barn Fainting Farm, Tennessess Fainting Goats - a proud American breed
Most hopeful: Tubby's Pizza - soon to be famous
Most clever: Without engineers horse power would only come from horses (University of Louiville - KY)

More awards and info will follow soon, I'm sure. For now, I need to get to bed -- it's almost 1am and we're on the road tomorrow at 7am! I couldn't sleep and thought this would be the best way to get my mind off of it -- it worked:)

Clearly online quizzes are WAY off

Which Office Character Are You?
	You are Dwight. You are intense and passionate, and will stand up for your beliefs to anyone; you adhere strictly to the letter of the law. People may not understand your eclectic passions, but your strange aesthetic makes you a fascinating character.
Find Your Character @

People that make me feel smart

In fact, these people make me feel like a complete genuius! Seriously.

Man Wraps Head in Duct Tape as Disguise for Attempted Robber

Man freed from jail tries to carjack in jail parking lot; can't drive stick shift

Finally, I once spoke with an individual who works in human resources. She said that she runs background checks on all new-hires -- standard procedure. She also asks everyone if there's anything she'll find before she runs the report. A particular hiree (quickly turned non-hiree) told her she would find nothing. After getting a 10 page report back from the government, she thought she would ask the applicant if it were possible that there was a mistake. His answer? "Oh. I didn't think you would actually run the background check." My response? "I guess that's why it's 10 pages long! I don't think he's clued into reality."

But he sure makes me shine like the sun!!!

Just call me stubby

A couple of days ago I was running around the house trying to clean up in record time. In doing so, I stubbed my toe on our ottoman -- almost perfectly, actually. Three middle toes square on. They each turned the same shade of red, in fact. I yelled and cursed and hobbled around and was mostly really glad that no one was around. A couple of hours later...I did it again...in the exact same spot for the exact same reason and with the exact same result.

The next day I was preparing for a brunch with my in-laws and when I get to get the extra leaf out of storage. This time, I stubbed the other foot.

I regularly bend fingernails backwards and I trip on a consistant basis. I'm surprised I'm as in tact as I am. I expect to begin destroying other limbs any day now.

In fact, a few weeks ago I was closing my car door while getting out of it. You read that right -- I was closing it while getting out -- ran it right into my arm and left a bruise the size of Rhode Island. Hey, Rhode Island is big when it's on your arm! I wouldn't exactly call me clumsy, just...well pretty soon they'll be calling me stubby.

In brief: I have a NEW JOB!!!

In brief: I'm FLOORED to have a new job so quickly! I applied last week, interview Monday and accepted an offer today at OrlandoJobs.com -- wow!

Brief job description: I'll be selling job opening advertising space with occasional networking/marketing responsibilities.

Brief background: My last job was...yuck! It was a cesspool of misery and I decided that I was no longer swimming! Even though living on Chris' salary alone made for a TIGHT budget (it will improve once he's fully liscensed), we decided that there were more important things in life -- like my well-being, our marraige, being able to commit to my church and have friends! My old job made everything difficult, so I quit without a new one. It's not something I would normally consider, but...I was that miserable!


Brief story on how I got the job: I found the posting on their website and while doing research on the company I discovered that they had just purchased and moved into a new building! I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to put together an office supply gift basket that included my resume. I did so and long story short -- the gift basket got me a 3 1/2 hour interview on Monday, a "you're at the top of our list" call on Wednesday and a job offer TODAY!

Brief praise: God is so good! I moved towards the things that honor Him and He provided. I am stunned at the extravagance of His goodness and grace.

Clutter Blindess

I ALWAYS SWORE I would never be one of THOSE wives. Whatever that means! The use of "always", "swore" and "never" should've clued me in that I was headed right for never-neverland.

When we divided up our "who is going to do what around the house" list, it was decided that Iwould be the picker-uper. In general, if it's laying around the house, I pick it up. Sound simple? I wish!!!

I did not agree to pick up half of the things I'm picking up. His shoes that seem to be permanently parked by the front door, despite my best efforts. He leaves mail everywhere -- on the couch, in the kitchen, by the bed. I take that back -- he leaves mail everywhere EXCEPT...the desk. Forget about it if he's received a gift -- pieces of whatever was a part of the gift become instantly scattered around the house. You should see the counter after he makes coffee in the morning -- grounds are everywhere and sometimes there is even splatter on the cabinents. And if it were appropriate for me to discuss more personal matters, I would. Trust me: the man leaves a trail wherever he goes! Argh!

The only solace I've been able to find is to start leaving things out...OUTSIDE! Even though I'm the picker-uper, that only applies to what is inside the house -- that's all I agreed to! Clearly, "outside" of the house is not in my domain -- my domain is "inside." "Outside" belongs on Christophers' list. "Outside" contains dirt, bugs, snakes, critters...and a grill -- clearly a man's domain. I just wish he knew that!

What I thought would be a brilliant strategy has backfired. I've left out chemicals that I specifically asked him to retrieve from the shed because I was too "scared" to go inside said shed. Didn't my terror clue him in that I would need him to put it away? I've left out various tools and tarps -- too sharp or containing too many creatures for me to venture near after I'm finished with the items. And what happens? It all just sits there. Right exactly where I left it. Even to the point of letting it rust, Chris doesn't touch it. I would swear that if there was such a thing that Chris has Clutter Blindness.

Anyway, I always swore I would never be one of those wives who hinted and suggested and beat around the bush. I was also not going to be a witch with a capital "b" who constantly chased after her husband with a honey-do list and a broom stick! I was going to logically state what was on my mind and make firm but never over-bearing requests. I was going to wait in complete patience and silence after having made such requests giving him all of the time and room in the world to complete the tasks I had requested of him. Ha ha ha...

Does blogging about something count as nagging? I hope not! I still don't want to nag, but I've got to figure out a way to keep from having to pick up all that I'm picking up. At this rate, my back is going to give out before we have kids! Maybe blogging is cheating a little...but I'll settle for being a "blogging wife" than a witch or wimp:)

Discovering each other...and vegetables

The other night for dinner I made, among other things, sauted apples. It's not something I would consider a staple, but it's easy to make and belongs in the category of "Fruits and Vegetables that Chris Will Eat." It's a small and challenging category, so I often repeat.

While we were eating Chris mentioned -- in a completely loving and respectful manner, I'd like to point out -- that the apple dish was not exactly his favorite. They were too "mushy." Fair enough. He requested that I not make them so often...but is once a month really that often?!

Anyway, that's when I pointed out that I only made it on a regular basis because it was a fruit/vegetable he would eat and I was concerned about him eating enough food in that category. He laughed and replied, "I don't even think about eating enough of...those."

Marraige is a magical discovery indeed.

Cleaning up the Man-Cave

I knew when I moved into Chris' house that it was dirty. He had lived here for 4 years with two other guys -- the same two guys in fact, so nothing of a large size had really been moved around. I was ok with a little dirt because I like to clean, but I had no idea what I was up against.

One of the back bedrooms had cob webs in all of the corners and all over the closet doors. The floor in the laundry closet was black. When we cleaned it off we discovered clothing items, a couple of which Chris couldn't identify as having belonged to himself or his former roommates. If you're not following let me spell it out: they belonged to the former owner! One of the toilets seems to have a permanent mold ring in it -- I've scrubbed with bleach, people!

After having made much progress in 6 months of living here, I've discovered a new challenge: The Windows. Chris painted the house when he first moved in. Anyway, they put a sealant on the house before they painted -- good! But they didn't cover the windows before they did that -- bad! Very, very bad! It created a thick film all over the windows...that only comes off with laquer thinner.

I knew I need to get that off, but I had no idea about the plants. Yep, plants! We are a veritable green house. There was so much dirt in one of our window sills that we plants growing in it -- see exhibit A below...

Yes, you are looking at plants that are growing in the window sill inside of the screen which means they're technically inside of the house. Gack! So I decided to tackle all of the window dirt this past week.

After hours of perching precariously on the ladder, smelling laquer thinner (not sniffing!) and scrubbing the windows...I feel as if I've only made minimal progress. The sealant only comes off of the windows in layers, kind of like trying to clean up an oil spill. It's annoying to say the least. And you can't get too close to the edges of the windows because the thinner will take off the paint. On top of all of that there seems to be a permanent moldy-scum quality to the panes. Here's a picture from another angle...

Gross is right! I don't know how they all (Chris and his roommates) didn't notice all of this. It's as if to them, as long as the one foot square space in front of them was clean -- so that they could eat...food -- it was all good!

When I took a break from cleaning the outside of our windows and finally cleaned the inside of our sliding glass door, this was the result...I showed Christopher when he got home...

Me: I cleaned the windows today dear.

Chris: Thanks!

Me: This is what came off of the inside of one of our sliding glass doors.

Chris: Oh...

Me: It's pretty dirty don't you think?

Chris: I don't recall ever having cleaned that door before.

Me: That explains A LOT...

Isn't he just so honest though? My husband is fabulous...and fabulously dirty!!! But I'll take him -- the good, the bad and the dirty -- he's worth it!

My beloved SAK...pet

So, SAK has a pet rat. I hesitate telling all of you because I want you to come see me perform, but it's true. SAK has a family pet rat named Jessica.

Rats have always loved theaters -- lots of dark nooks and crannies to hide in and lots of left over bits of food -- scavenger heaven! But I never knew that there was a theater that returned the favor, that loved one rat so much that it NAMED it, or in this case, her.

I voluntered for the shows last night and all of the other staff, volunteers and crew all knew about Jessica. They were talking about how she walks vs. how she runs, what they think makes her come out of hiding vs. what makes her go back into her hole and how she has stopped mid-trot and gazed adoringly at so many of them. I wish I were kidding.

God made all creatures, I know. But rats are so...ratty! I can deal with a rat in a cage or maybe even on a city street where it's running away from me...and vice versa:) I'm horrified enough knowing that there are rats all around the theater and that one might make a showing when I'm there. But naming it? Embracing it??? That's crazy, yo!

So, I feel strangely compelled to visit the theater late at night when no one is around -- just me and Jessica. It's time to have a talk with her, you know, woman to...rat. She needs to know her place and that it's decidedly not at SAK. Despite how my compodres feel, I will not be embracing nor even speaking kindly about Jessica. In fact, if the sound coming from my theater changes temporarily from laughter to mourning...don't rat me out.

A new blog for a new life

I used to have a Xanga account -- still do technically -- but I had opened that account to join a circle of friends or because I was in it already...whatever. I still have the friends, but the blog circle has mostly disintegrated into a few random dashes and dots. It makes blogging demotivating, to say the least. Besides, I had named the blog "juniorhighschool" off of my theory that we never really mature beyond this point. My coworkers from my last job would make a beautiful case study on said theory. Anyway, I still hold to the idea and the desire to blog, but things have changed...lots of things...so I need a new blog.

My life is to funny not to blog about! Actually, I think everyone's life is funny. If humor comes from our failures and we all fail...then I'm making all of my friends sound like colossal losers. So I'll just stick to talking about myself. As a matter of fact...

Yesterday I asked Chris to get the pump sprayer out of the shed. He did so and left it on a table outside. Later on, I went to get it to clean and fill it. I was examining the pump and the sprayer, trying to figure out how to work it -- pump in one hand, sprayer in the other. All the while I was ignoring the hose that connected the two. As I walked inside, I continued examining the parts until I was completely inside the house. That's when I noticed the gecko perched precariously on the ignored hose. What did I do? Naturally I 1) started screaming and 2) dropped everything which 3) allowed the gecko to escape, free to terrorize me at will. Me...gecko. I stood there and screamed like a little girl for at least a minute. Me...gecko. I know: I am a certified sissy.

And certifiably back in the world of blogging:)