Jeweled Web

Need Help to Save Herman!

2007-06-26T20:29:00.000-04:00

No, you don't have to donate anything, or e-mail all your friends (I hate those e-mails). My mother has gone with my step-father on an extended visit/vacation for the summer. Won't be home until September. SHE LEFT ME HER (&*()*^&^ ORCHID! Listen, Lola has a brown thumb peeps! I fought against it, but the orchid came home with me and I have named him, Herman.

Herman's beautiful white blooms have fallen off! I looked on-line and I've only watered him once a week. He's growing a new leaf and its beautiful and green. But is Herman supposed to molt? I mean, should I panic about the blooms falling off? He's in indirect sun and I'm careful not to water him inside the leaves, so he won't rot. HELP!

In the meantime, I ignore Herman for the most part. I've been working. Possible new job, mum is the word. It's a secret! Probably find out this week.

Also been to Texas and back to visit my grandmother for her 97th birthday. Can't remember if I've already blogged about that or not. Anyway, I've also been working in the pottery studio. Pictures below are of a chip bowl and salsa bowl set and my first pitcher (with my first handle).

Later!
Lola

Back With a Wimper

2007-05-20T20:37:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all! Lola is BACK from vacation!

Well, I was down in Texas for a week to spend time with my grandmother. I was there for mother's day (apologies mom!) and for her 97th birthday. I had a hard time trying to get her to let me wait on HER for a change. Stubborn. But then, she has made it to 97!

The only rough spot on the trip was once I'd gotten back to RDU airport, picked up my luggage and was waiting for my ride (thanks mom!). She was late. Mom doesn't DO late though. Then it got to be later, and later, and later. She didn't answer her cell phone. No biggie, she often forgets and puts it in the trunk with her purse. But it got to be and hour from when my plane landed. I went back inside and looked, walked over to passenger drop-off and looked. Nada.

Folks, I have to say I was getting worried. My mother is not only punctual, but would find a way to call me on my cell phone if she were delayed. I actually called the Highway Patrol and they told me that there had been no fatal accidents that day where next-of-kin had not yet been notified. Relief. But, what if she'd been in an accident on the loop? I called home several times, but my step-father hadn't heard anything either.

It was at that moment that I hear my name being called. There she was waving at me as she walked down the sidewalk. She'd been inside the whole time waiting for me to come out. We'd passed each other a minimum of 3 times and had not seen each other! Ah well, it all ended well.

Then we went out for Japanese food. I had vegetable soba with mixed tempura veggies. Delish! Not all Japanese food is cooked on the table folks.

I'm here, laundry is going, and I'm sleepy. More later. Pictures too.

Love,
Lola

Lemons

2007-05-07T21:38:00.000-04:00

Hello all! Sorry it's been awhile. Let's see. I've been throwing pottery and am still not very good, but definately improving. Tonight I actually threw a lemon juicer! Pictures will, of course, follow if and when it survives firing.

Also, have been toying with the idea of writing again. It feels right. But I always get overly critical and go back and edit, re-edit, and re-edit after a few chapters and NEVER get done. So, I've also been reading a fan-fic site that a good friend found and while some are good and some are awful, it's good fun. Then it occurs to me - a small fan-fic could be a good way to get back into writing and maybe not "overthink" things.

I'll let you know. By the way, the term "lemons ahead" in fan-fic may mean a sexual scene that is rated M - for mature. The piece I'm writing is not a "lemon", but ya never know!

Love y'all,
Lola

Does Anyone Read Kanji?

2007-04-24T21:54:00.000-04:00

A pottery update!

I really enjoyed my handbuilding class. Looooovvvvved it! Then I took a beginning "pottery on the wheel" class and "frustration" became my watchword. So much was going on at work, and rehearsing/performing a show and etc., etc. ... well, I was having problems. And then, every night on pottery class night SOMETHING would come up!

Just this "one thing" that I can't get out of, or the two days I was so sick I considered going to the emergency room, and then the girl threatening me at work who got herself fired and really shook me up .... yep, not making any of those up either. What started as a simple scheduling mishap (hers) actually turned into a shouting match between her and our boss, with me trying to stay out of it all, but then she started pressing in on me, walking into my "space" three times with me backing up (no, I don't "do" fights - especially at work). This caused my supervisor to go to get her boss and this girl jumped in front of the supervisor trying to block the door, it almost looked like a basketball player who was trying to draw a foul. And I think that's what she wanted, if I'd pushed her away from me, or even made contact, if my supervisor had done that as well, things might have turned out differently. Neither of us touched the girl (and there were witnesses) and the BIG boss called us all into his office and listened to all sides and then told the girl that she'd been written up too often and etc., etc., and this was not only the final write-up but cause for termination. Ouch. I hadn't caused it, I hadn't caused it to rise to a shouting or shoving match, but in the end - I was shaking and it was a rotten day.

I actually liked this girl for the most part, and she has a child she's raising as a single adult. I had not thought she would be capable of acting as she did, but none of it was professional and I had felt personally threatened in a small way. So ... I didn't go to pottery class. In fact, I went out and had a nice BIG margarita with a nice BIG cheeseburger and horrible-for-me fries.

Anyway, for the next session, I switched to Monday nights for pottery and I really miss my good friends in the Wednesday class ... however, I am starting to throw things I might actually keep. Pictures will follow if they survive the bisque firing.

In the meantime, I do have a few pictures to share. First of all is a wall hanging that is my name written in the Japanese Kanji. I hope. I really don't know if this is right at all. It's supposed to be "Victory", which is the translation of the meaning of my name ... Nicole (fem. form of Nicholas which is "victory of the people").

If ANYONE can read this, can you tell me if it's right? I'd hate to hang it up and tell everyone it's my name if it's actually means "idiot" or something.

And here is another handbuilt piece where I was playing with negative space and ended up with a Dr. Seuss tree:

And lastly is a piece inspired by the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes". It's a present for my brother since he IS Calvin in our family. That is if I can bear to part from it! Notice the snowman is yelling out.

Later y'all,
Lola

Tears and Cheers for Virginia Tech

2007-04-17T22:17:00.000-04:00

I can't say much on this subject, it goes too deep for mere words. My heart and my prayers go out to all those of Virginia Tech.

I really can't blog about this yet, it still makes me cry. But I will say that I am deeply saddened by the losses and deeply touched by the heroes such as Professor Librescu and RA "Stack" as well as several others.

I can not recall the name right now, but there was a teacher slain of international reknown who had been one of those on the leading edge of studying the engineering of how CP (cerebral palsey) muscles/structures/responses worked. Having had a dear, dear Uncle with CP and having friends with children with this condition, this hits very hard at my heart. Those foundations working to cure CP has been my grandmother's favorite charity for ... forever (close since she turns 97 next month) because of her sister's child - my Uncle Gene who played basketball from a wheelchair with my brothers and myself.

It hurts to think of that much potential simply ... gone. Destroyed in a mindless act. Then expand that loss to include all 33 victims (yes, I know that includes the shooter), and the sheer POTENTIAL of all those creative, bright, PEOPLE being lost ...

No. It's better to think of those who rose to the occasion, those known and not known, who in small and big ways are exceeding their potential.

I have a STALKER

2007-02-17T01:06:00.000-05:00

Yep. Now, I'm not belittling the persons out there battling REAL stalkers, but I don't quite know how else to describe what's going on.

For those new to me, I am a COTA/L. That's a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistance / Licensed. I work with the geriatric population in a skilled nursing facility.

That said, there is this patient ... shall we call her Ms. "Susan" (which is SO not her name, for privacy). Well "Susan" is a small little lady who is quite young, only 67. And trust me, with my population, that's very young. She's had a massive stroke in the past, but is pretty functional ... or she would be if she'd try. I won't describe everything, but she's in a wheelchair that she propels herself, but is not walking well at all. She's VERY needy emotionally and tends to "latch" on to people.

"Susan" ... how to put this nicely ... has an issue with, well ... she has to pee often. VERY often. She also is a smoker and is constantly trying to get people to take her outside to smoke. She does have schedules, for bladder continance (which she is continant) and for smoking. The problem is she doesn't like following her schedule and is always looking for people to take her either to the bathroom or out to smoke.

She's currently in therapy, we're working on decreasing her pain in her left arm and shoulder. Well, she figured out (quite quickly I might add) that if she tells me during therapy that she has to pee, well, that I'll take her to the bathroom. My focus is on her during therapy and she gets her needs met (except for the smoking, although she's trying to get me to do that with her too). Welllll ... since I can obviously take her to the bathroom during therapy, then in her mind I logically can take her ANYTIME SHE NEEDS TO GO.

It doesn't matter if I'm treating another patient, doing paperwork, or eating lunch. It doesn't matter if I'm in another patient's room ... she follows me around all day long asking me to take her to either the bathroom or outside to smoke. I've explained 3 million ways that I can not take time away from another patient and that if she needs something she needs to speak with her nurse or nurse's aide. But I am the new flavor of the month and I've been "latched" onto, and now I'm being stalked.

It got so bad in the last few days that she was wheeling down the hall yelling my name at the top of her lungs to find out in which patient's room I was currently working. She even approached the administration to have me PAGED to come take a look at her arm, because it hurts. That's the excuse, when I get there she says "my arm hurts, but I really need to pee".

By the way, if you tell her you can't at that moment help her and refer her to other staff, she starts to cry. Her face is so mobile and pathetic when she cries it really hurts to tell her no, but I know better than to feed into these patterns. The crying never lasts an entire minute by the way, seriously. Very labile moods. Oh, and her family is aware of the situation and is sympathetic. Should I mention that "Susan" cries daily because she hasn't seen her daughter in "so long" and "I want to see her". At this point I do need to mention that her family visits her nearly EVERY DAY. This is not a negligent family. Just yesterday she cried because her daughter wouldn't be there until an hour later. Look, that don't cut it with me. I've got one patient who hasn't seen her child in over 10 years.

The Director of Nursing sat her down and told her in no uncertain way that this behavior could not continue. She was better today. We'll see if it continues, if the pattern holds, I'm told by other staff, she'll get worse again before someone else comes along to get her attention.

Until then, I am the prey and she is the stalker. I always thought that if there ever was a stalker in my life it would be an ex-boyfriend or something. Not an 80 pound woman in a wheelchair hollering "I've got to pee!" down the hall.

Just so you know. I like "Susan". She amuses me as much as she frustrates me at times. And she can be quite funny and sweet as well as annoying!

Later y'all,
Lola

Prescription for Happyness

2007-02-05T22:32:00.000-05:00

I know it's been awhile since my last post, and I apologize.

Let's see ... went to see THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, and while I love the true life story (and am wanting to read the book) the movie was paced to slowly for me. It was nice, but ... nice.

My friend Mary had visitors this last weekend. From KNITTY! Trillian42 and her hubby came to visit and to see theatre in Raleigh. I was lucky enough to meet them and have dinner and get all aquainted in person. I have to say, they're lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening. And Pam, Chris ... I don't ALWAYS talk that much ... just usually!

Well, my cough is almost gone. After two weeks it should be completely gone, but oh well. Unfortunatly, my ears are HURTING. I feel like I'm living in a well and am hearing everything through cotton. Loud noises HURT too. Finally had enough of over the counter medications and spent two hours in the Urgent Care today since my doctor has "no openings" for a month. Too bad you can't see your doc when you're sick. Although, I'm not really sick ... no fever or anything. Just pain and pressure.

So, I get a prescription to help the pressure. A pain reliever is recommended. Antibiotics are not called for at this time. All is good so far ... than it gets soooo much BETTER. Why? The doc said that sometimes drinking from a straw helps relieve some of the pressure. He then said, "why don't you get a milk shake from Chik Fil-A?". A pause. Then I said, "really?". He said yes and I smiled so big.

Medical permission to break my diet. How cool is that??????????? Not as cool as that delicious cookies and cream milk shake was this afternoon. When the pain came back I thought about another one, but I didn't want to form a dependent habit. So I'll wait til at least tomorrow .... :)

Lola is hurting but happy

Cough

2007-01-20T23:03:00.000-05:00

I have a cough. Not a bad one, but it irritates me ... no pun intended. So, after dinner with a friend, we went over to the store and purchased a generic cough syrup.

The instructions tell me that an adult and children over 12 should take two teaspoons every 4 hours. There is even a convenient little cup that comes with my bottle of cough syrup.

But ...

The little cup has lines for 2 tsp, 3 tsp, and 1 tablespoon. ?????????

I checked the directions again. The highest dosage listed for adults is "two teaspoons". So why are there lines to indicate MORE than the safest dosage????

In an era wherein more warnings and labels are available than at any other time in human history, all of which are in an effort to keep people from making mistakes with their medicines ... is the packaging so ... so ... wrong?

I can just see someone thinking, oh, my cough is so bad I need the stronger dosage, I'll choose the TABLESPOON line to fill my medicine cup. However, the instructions clearly read "two teaspoons".

I just don't get it, however, my cough is a bit better. And that was with the two tablespoons portion too.

Lola

Warm Fuzziness

2007-01-07T19:30:00.000-05:00

Well y'all ... Lola's blog will be more upbeat this time.

I auditioned (yes, I sang!) for the show HONK! And I got cast! Yeah!!!!! More on this to come, I'm sure.

Also, I finished my second sweater. The first was an open front infant sweater, this one is a poofy, fuzzy pink pull-over. Check it out:

Later y'all,
Lola

Update

2007-01-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

Hi there, sorry for the last downer of a post. I'm doing better, although I'm still exhausted from all the extra work and stress.

Good friends and a wonderful family are a nice balm, however.

Later,
Lola

Tempus Fugit

2006-12-28T19:40:00.000-05:00

Tempus Fugit, or "time flies".

In the past I've faced death many times. I've seen numerous patients come, heal, or go not-so-gently into the good night. I've had patient's put on comfort measures, or picked up by Hospice care.

I've lost both grandfathers and one grandmother. I've lost my own father. I've lost friends and former boyfriends. I've lost my best friend's mothers and aunts.

Death is not a stranger.

But I still hate his @$$. Not really though. Death is a natural part of life and I know it, but damn, it still hurts.

No, my grandmother Genie has not passed away. She's fiesty as ever.

I agreed to do some PRN (extra work on top of my regular job) work for a local hospital. Just a few hours a week, pick up some extra money for my new-to-me car payment. This is a facility speciallizing in fragile, vent-dependent patients and the like. One-on-one care only. Some still on so many lines and monitors it's hard to move them. I love it.

"S" and "L" are the OT's there. I was asked to help cover "L's" 3 week vaction home. Home is South Africa for her, so therefor it's not a short trip. No problem. "S" is very nice and very organized and there is no problem.

Until Tuesday when I get the call that "S" has gone unresponsive and had a major bilateral subarachnoid hemmorhage. She's 42. Wife and mother of three - a third grader, a kindergartener and a 6 month old she was still breastfeeding.

Today they took her off the vent. There had been at least three separate types of tests and none showed any brain activity. Her organs have been donated.

I'm reeling. First, "S" wasn't much older than myself. Second, all the work on me has exploded, because now it's only PRN staff covering until they can find some more help. Third, oh that poor family and those babies!!!! Fourth - through however many there can be ... while I barely knew "S" personally, I liked her. I knew people who liked her a lot. And while it's not a friend or family, or even a patient, it has hit me on the blindside.

What to say? Not much.

Life is fragile, and even those of us who are aware of that can be thrown for a major loop.

Time doesn't stand still, it flies ... and it doesn't care whose path it crosses or who it throws off course.

Sorry this is a down kind of post,

God bless and keep you,
Lola

"There are flowers in my torture chamber"

2006-12-12T22:21:00.000-05:00

One of my new favorite lines. I won't say much since many have not yet read the new Laurell K. Hamilton book MISTRAL'S KISS.

I was disappointed it wasn't longer. I was disappointed not to see the Shining Court or the Goblin Court. But I was excited to see the Sluagh and the Wild Magics. All in all, it fed my interest and I finished the new book very quickly. Too quickly perhaps? Maybe a second read-through is in order ... hmmmmm.

Finished a knitting project. A scarf to which (for the first time) I added crocheted bead work to the ends. I'm not really sure I care for it at all. I'm going to try blocking the ends and then take a look. We'll see.

Later y'all,
Lola

PS. The line is actually paraphrased, I think the origninal is something like "a field of flowers", but you get the idea.

Holiday Eating Tips

2006-12-10T17:41:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me this, and she is a true friend indeed ... especially since I went to a holiday party last night. I violated the carrot rule, but that's about it!

Holiday Eating Tips:

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday
buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact,
if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where
they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine
single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year
but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories
in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
eggnog-aholic or something. It's a trea t. Enjoy it. Have one
for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole
point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on.. Make
a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy.
Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with
skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother?
It's like buying a sports car with an automatic
transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort
to control your eating. The whole point of going to a
Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots
of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now
and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have
nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which
you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a
10-pound plate of fo od and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet
table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size
of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have
as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.
They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of
each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and
one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have
more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with
the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all
cost. I mean, have SOME standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave
the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying
attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is
just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well
preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in
one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and
screaming,

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

New, or almost!

2006-11-25T23:08:00.000-05:00

Well. I have a car payment again. Bah. But I have a new (almost) car! Yeah!

I went looking for a 2006 Toyota Corolla. Hmmph. Didn't know that they'd be this hard to find, apparently they sold well. None on the lot. Buuuut ... they do have three "loaner" cars. 2006 Corolla LE (not the CE I was looking for) and fully loaded with a bit more than I'd been wanting. There was this one with 9,000 miles on it that just drove soooo nicely.

I have never bought a used car before. I was a bit nervous. However, it comes with a certified warrenty that if I'd purchased with a new vehicle would have cost 1500 easily. The LE is more than the CE I was pricing, so I was caught off guard. I'm not so sure I got the best deal, but it looks good so far. I keep telling myself I spent about what I'd thought (on the higher end) and my trade in was for what I'd settle for (the low end) and the payment is a bit more than I had last time (car with lower price and 6 years ago). All in all, I got more bells and whistles that I'm very happy with and I like the car so all is good.

Except it's white. I never, NEVER, never thought I'd ever buy a white car. However I have since learned this color has the highest re-sale value and also hides imperfections better than darker colored cars.

I have a weird car color progression thingy going. I didn't want a color I'd already owned. My first was red (I killed it), my black truck (I loved that truck), and then finally my Focus which was blue. I thought my next would be .... GREEN. But this years greens look (to me) very anemic. So, at least I'm not repeating a car color. And it's growing on me.

Also new? I signed up for a pottery class.

And you-don't-know-who (since I haven't said) finally did call. We have a second dste coming up. Well, Mary knows-who, but then she knows us both. Still not going to say much, no jinxing please.

However, he called while I was home for the holiday. Yes, this means my mother knows ... now. I try to keep these things from her. She gets FAR too happy about it all if you know what I mean. Anyone I date is now my "last best chance" for love (read marriage). She is being good though. She said she wouldn't ask and wouldn't comment (and she hasn't) other than to say this makes her "happy". Well, duh.

Lost a close family friend who although in her 80's was a vibrant, wonderful woman who will be sorely missed. My step-father lost two friends recently, one 103 and not unexpectedly and the other much younger and hugely unexpectedly. They thought it was a heart attack, and his son performed CPR in a vain effort to revive his father. Horribly (and I mean that word to its utmost) it was not a heart attack, it was a virus/infection/bacterial SOMETHING and the son is now in ICU fighting for his life. The family is in shock as you can well image. Prayers are welcome, and very helpful.

And although all that is horrid and sad, the rest of the family is still well ... including Genie. I talked with her today, worried that the strain of the holiday and the excitement of many visitors (four grandsons, two sons and daughters-in-law and various mixtures of extended family and friends) would leave her exhausted once they left. She sounded strong and happy. One of my brothers will be there through the 28th, so that'll help too.

That's all for now,
God Bless,
Lola

Time out

2006-11-12T23:19:00.000-05:00

Sorry that it's been a while since my last post.

Let's see, in the recent past:

Grandmother has been discharged home from the nursing facility and is feeling so good she's driving everyone nuts. Although she still fatigues realllly easily, she's just as fiesty as ever.

Charlaine Harris' new book GRAVE SURPRISE is out. Read it. I can't say it's my favorite series, or even my favorite of her series. But I did really enjoy the read.

Read L.T. Fawkes working-man mysteries, all three of them. Only three. I have to ask, will there be any MORE???? I vote yes if that has any bearing on the situation I don't know.

LOST is over until February 7th. WHAT?????? Was this last "fall season finale" supposed to answer any questions? Any at all? Love the show, but you're driving me nuts.

Had a date. Went well. Don't wanna jinx anything, so saying no more.

Godson said my name for the first (and thus far only time)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Course he couldn't say it completely, but I'd been trying to get him to say "Co-co" for a while. He finally did! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

And just what have I been doing with my time if not posting or what-have-you?????

Well.

FINAL FANTASY XII is out on PS2.

I've been through the mines and have completed 7 hunts. It's good, really good so far. Got to go, marks to hunt, gil to plunder, and storylines to unfold ....

Lola

Maybe I'm on the Wrong Internet

2006-10-27T19:26:00.000-04:00

Our glorious leader, King George I ... er, President Dubya ... er, the guy who answers the mail delivered to The White House as "Resident" ... was speaking and was talking about "the internets".

A slip of the tongue? Perhaps, but it wasn't lonely, it was joined at least once more when he spoke again of "the internets".

This intrigues me. Not because I think our leader is mistaken, but that WE might be the mistaken ones.

What if there are two internets (or more)??????

One for He and his cronies. One for the rest of us. One in which we are winning in Iraq, and one where there's a civil war a-brewing.

One for those children who have never been left behind. And one for those trying to find ways to limit children's internet access with filters so that they can't see certain sites that have ******* in it's contents.

Yes, there may have been a slip of the tongue. But not in which the President shows how little he understands of technology (even my mother knows better than that and she's nearly a techno-phobe), but instead where he gave away a national secret.

I may be on the wrong internet, but that's okay. On mine I can play Suduko. (Mr. President, that's where you have to be able to count to 9, multiple times, in a box, in lines ... yes it really does make sense after a while, give it time).

Hehehehe,
Lola

Jeffrey wins?????????????? Wha????

2006-10-25T19:36:00.000-04:00

Alrighty then. PROJECT RUNWAY ends with a whimper rather than a bang when Uli gets robbed, Laura gets stiffed, Michael lost his mojo, and JEFFREY wins?

I have to admit, there were some outfits in Jeffrey's collection that I did think were creative, fun and innovative. Just not particularly wearable. But there were also some hideous outfits too. Laura's collection was pure CLASS and ... well, wow. But Uli suprised me, she went and was innovative, fun and creative in a WEARABLE way. Well, wearable if you look like Nazri maybe, but still ... gorgeous. Michael, Michael ... you who has lost his way come back to us! We love you Michael.

However, there was one REALLY awesome part of Jeffrey's collection. THE MUSIC. I looked it up, he helped write the music! I just want to know if it's available. Not the clothing, just the music. I'll see if Uli or Laura can design for a much shorter, whiter, rounder Nazri named Lola.

Later y'all!
God Bless,
Lola

I got "THAT" call ...

2006-10-08T18:23:00.000-04:00

Well, well, well, much has been happening. First of all, let me apologize to my terrific and SUPERB secret pal who has revealed herself as PLUMFAN! I love it! Especially since I'm a Stephanie Plum fan too! How perfect was that?

I got her package just as I was leaving for out of town and did not get a chance to put anything up in the way of the HUGE thank you that I certainly owe her. Pictures to follow.

In the mean time, I go out to Myrtle Beach with some friends and we have a great time shopping and eating and shopping and ... well, shopping. We went to the Carolina Opry and the Dixie Stampede. I wasn't sure I'd enjoy either and ended up having fun with both. Not high brow entertainment, and I could have cared less.

Unfortunately, in the lobby of the Carolina Opry house, I got "THE" call. You know the one. The call letting you know that for a dear relative the end is very, very near. Now, those who've read my blog previously know that my grandmother is 96 and in poor health at the moment. But this call was shocking to me, because it wasn't the call I'd been expecting. This was about my Aunt Beverly.

Beverly had been a cancer survivor for several years. Then the cancer returned and she did not respond to chemo and was given 3-6 months, this was in May. Then the good news, she was responding to the radiation and the prognosis was revoked. That was the last that I had heard, that she was responding and things were well. Well, Friday night I found out (she lives out of state for me) that Hospice was with her, she was conscious only 3 hours out of the day and the end was "near".

I was expecting this news, but for someone else, not her! I can not claim to be close to my aunt, we've never been close but we've also always been friendly. I feel, feel, feel, for her children and grandchildren ... and my mother. Mom and Beverly are step-sisters with an up and down relationship, but behind it all is a deep love and respect for each other.

I will not be going to the funeral because I will need to move in with my step-dad and take care of him following his knee surgery and rehab so my mother can go to Texas. I will make no jokes here about men and babies and being sick or recovering, most women already know and most men will never accept the truth.

My cousin said her mother was "ready and at peace" with her family around her. Beverly has always been a strong, strong woman who put family first and I know she will be missed by many.

Now, I have some pictures that I promised to post. First are gifts from my wonderful Secret Pal who could not have spoiled me more. She begged my forgiveness for the box being late, but I've got to say her timing was perfect. When I needed a pick-me-up, it was there!

First is an overview of everything. Errrr ... almost everything. There was this OTHER box. A box of ... chocolates. *blush* Godiva chocolates. They're not pictured, because, well ... they didn't last long enough to be photographed! YUM!
But there are two lovely hand towels with a sea shell motif, a funny knitting card and a knitting mug too! Beaded stitch markers and a knitting Answer Book, exactly what I need if you've read my blogs on mystery stitches ...

Here is a close up of the beautiful stitch markers. I love 'em!

And a close up of my new favorite resource!

And this is just a picture to prove a point. Men's attachments to certain items are instictual and probably bred into their genes.

Love y'all and God Bless,
Lola

School Prayer

2006-10-02T18:48:00.000-04:00

Just a word or two on the subject of School Prayer. My personal views aside, this subject should be on whether students should be allowed to pray in school at the start of the day in reference to learning new things, friendships, family, and what have you ....

NOT WHETHER THEY LIVE THROUGH THE DAY BECAUSE SOME ()&*^&*(^(&* IDJIT DECIDED TO SHOOT THEM!

Three deadly attacks in schools in one week.

My thoughts and prayers are sent out to all those affected in the direct or indirect manner to these incidents. The grief and shock are incomprehensible and put all my petty concerns into the shade.

New school prayer: May the children live to graduate whole and healthy.

Lola

Hysterics

2006-09-29T10:51:00.000-04:00

Lola is sick people. Stressed out and sniffling, nausea is taking a toll.

That said, it's all my Aunt's fault.

Not the sinus, or post-nasal drip ... she's in Texas and I'm here in NC, so how can it be her fault? STRESS.

As many of you know, my grandmother, Genie, is 96 years old with congestive heart failure and weak kidneys. She recently had a (successful) surgery to remove an isolated spot of colon cancer. Genie was admitted to a skilled nursing facility for one month of rehab to get her strength back to go home.

Yesterday, I got two messages from my Aunt. "Call as soon as possible". When I talked to her it was "it's bad, it's very very bad". She told me that Genie had a heart "episode" and later told me she'd had a second "heart attack".

Now then. I KNOW my Aunt exaggerates terribly. She believes absolutely in what she says and is not a liar, but always puts things in the worst possible way. I got no sleep whatsoever, expecting a midnight call and an early trip to Houston. This morning, I got so sick and nauseated that I had to stay home. I hardly every stay home people. This is not like me.

I called Genie's room and there was no response. Normally that would mean she's in therapy, but with two heart attacks that's not possible. I'm a therapist, I know. So I called the facility to see if she had been sent out to the hospital or was too medicated to answer the phone in her room. Nope. She was in therapy. They transfered me to the therapy gym and I spoke with her therapist.

Genie had not had two "heart attacks", she had two incidents where her blood pressure was not right, some nausea and tingling in her left hand. So they took immediate action, let her rest and medicated her. Typical behavior for those living with congestive heart failure, a disease that could kill you tomorrow or 10 years from now. She'd had a good night's sleep and felt great. I didn't want to interrupt therapy, but they couldn't have been nicer and put her on the phone.

She sounded terrific. Well rested, happy, and at ease. She loved my flowers and I shouldn't have of course. Michael sent her the loveliest letter and wasn't that so sweet of him? Trish was out buying her new clothes for rehab and she couldn't be nicer. I was so relieved, I cried.

I called everyone with the update. Then I thought to call my Uncle Tommy in Oklahoma. He was on pins and needles as well, having gotten the same calls from the same person. He was so relieved to hear what I had learned, you could really hear it in his voice.

I know better people. My aunt exaggerates situations to the worst possible scenario. But part of me keeps thinking "what if this time she's right?" everytime she calls.

I'm heading to Texas soon, very soon. It all depends on schedules and whether or not I'm offered a new position that I've applied for. More on those things later.

My step-father is in rehab as well, for his knee replacement. He's got good days and then days that he's nothing but a baby and lashing out. He thinks rehab pushes him too far. I want to scream and tell him that a woman three decades older than him is doing better in rehab than he is, but I can't. It wouldn't be productive.

Lola is stressed, but things are going well ... so far. I pray they only get better.

God Bless

To Julie with great thanks

2006-09-23T19:39:00.000-04:00

Well, Lola's back!

It's been a while, but here's what is going on in my life. Grandmother came through surgery but has been battling small (?) things like sinus infections and the such. She's supposed to be discharged today to a skilled nursing facility for rehab. This is the type of work that I do myself. My step-dad had a left knee replacement. He's finding out just how painful these can be, but in the long run it'll be one of the best things he's ever done. He's being dischaged today, to a rehab facility. One in Texas and one in North Carolina. It's been stressful, but things are going well.

Went with friends to see the Broadway South tour of THE LION KING. I've never seen it before and have been wanting to do so, well ... forever it seems like. Mary and Beep have both seen it previously in NY. I loved the first act, while the second dragged for me a bit. Loved Rifiki and Zuzu, a lot! My friends (and I told them I was going to rag on them in this blog), didn't like it nearly as much as the NY performances. Mary was more forgiving though, of the show.

All I can say is: JULIE TAYMOR ROCKS! Love, love, love the costumes. Knew I would like them and was a bit worried that my high expectations would let me down. NOPE. In the opening scene when the giraffes came out on stage, I teared up. Yep. Gorgeous, all of 'em. Can't quite say enough about it, so I'll stop now.

Okay. TREY turned ONE! Pictures of course follow:

Here he is with my gift, I figure at this age something small is fine with a gift check to go into his educational fund. He loved it, but really wanted to play with the box ....

Or play in my suitcase! He made a beeline for my suitcase and would crawl back in as soon as you took him out. He even figured out how to open it ... guess this means he wants to come for a visit. Fine with me!

He was a little unsure of the cake ...

But that didn't last long!

But Vickie gave the best (or worst?) gift, ALL the kids wanted to play with it. Trey's cousin Maddie Grace was the most persistant ...

Fun was had by all, Lola included.

God Bless

Are you ready?

2006-09-10T13:09:00.000-04:00

FOOOOOOOTTBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

I had the #1 pick in my fantasy league this time around. I decided early to pick a running back for various reasons. The top three: Tomlinson, Johnson and Alexander. I went for who I perceived to be the best, Larry Johnson. The next guy took Alexander and pick number three took..... Culpepper? Huh? New time, old injuries, possible greatness, but at #3? Well, that screwed up Will with pick number four who had to switch his strategy and took Tomlinson.

Will is a newcomer to our group, and unfortunately his first year (last season) he actually won the superbowl. Now he's full of himself. I've won before, but he doesn't see me, a female, as being very bright about football. A long standing joke in our group is that I think Jake Plummer is cute and would choose a quarterback for that alone. It's a JOKE. Will later took Plummer and I groaned aloud and everyone laughed. Except Will. He took it seriously and decided to try and make a trade.

He offered me Frank Gore (very nice RB), Antonio Gates (top rated TE), Steve Smith (excellent WR), and Jake Plummer for Larry Johnson. Great talent in the offering, but consider. If I gave him Johnson he would then have Tomlinson and Johnson, two of the best rated fantasy running backs. It was all I could do not to laugh in his face. I told Andy (my draft pal with his own team and my friend) about the offer and he was shocked. Will told me not to let Andy influence my decision and that was all wrong of Andy. I had to stare at Will. Did he really think me so silly that I did not recognize a bad deal on my own? He did, he really really did.

I then offered a counter trade. I would give him Johnson for Tomlinson AND Gates. He accepted. He then told me I should have stuck with the first deal, it would have benefitted me more. Yes the players offered were nice, but not at the price of cutting my scoring potential by so much and giving him a near unsurmountable team in RB's.

He still thinks I don't know what I'm doing. And I'm smiling and praying that I beat him this year, never mind anyone else, Will must go down in flames. I don't play him this first game though, I play the new guy ... the one who chose Culpepper. Culpepper, who had 262 yards, no TD's and two interceptions in his season opener. I do not wish for any player to be hurt or not do well, but if they have a bad week ... may it be the week they play me.

Pirate Lola

How to spell couture? "CRAP"

2006-09-08T17:20:00.000-04:00

Ok people. I did actually like the fabric that Jeffrey used for his so-called couture gown. The fabric. That's it, that is ALL that I liked about it. Michael's did not appeal nor did Laura's (although they are still my faves!). Kayne's dress. I don't know what they were talking about taste. I agreed with the lack of taste on the "elvis" jet-setter outfit - awful! But this dress he did that they called him out on for his poor taste? I liked it. A lot. This may say things about my taste levels, but I calls it as I sees it. Jeffrey sucked, Kayne sparkled, and Uli was robbed.

Low-taste Lola. And why yes, I do live in my own little world. But don't worry so, they know me here.

Crocs Rule!

2006-09-06T23:48:00.000-04:00

I have to admit that I don't watch the "Crocodile Hunter" all the time, but every time I did catch the show ... Irwin's enthusiasm caught me. Here was a bloke who believed what he said and lived by it consistently. The world is a little less bright without him.

No, that doesn't do it right. I'm actually surprised at how Irwin's death has grieved me. There's a lot going on in my life right now. Possible job opportunities, grandmother having surgery on the 13th (at 96 no less), a sister in a car accident with an uninsured driver (no one hurt, thank God - literally), lots of work related things going on with new people and such. It's been nuts. I worked last weekend, I work this weekend after a concert with friends on Friday night, visit the folks on Sunday and search for tap shoes for a class I'm taking, a four hour CPR course the hospital is requiring (at least they're paying PRN rates!). Oh, and guilt for not being with grandmother for the surgery. Yet, Steve Irwin's death has really struck home with me. I liked him and didn't even know how much.

Steve, we'll miss you.

Ok. Why I'm not going to visit my grandmother prior to surgery. Simple. She will NEVER let me take care of her. If I visit, and this is the gospel truth, she will "entertain me". She'll worry about if I have enough to do, but only "guest" stuff. She won't let me cook or clean, although she will let me clear the table. Remember, she's 96 and lives alone and still enjoys a full and active life. Sharp as a tack and mean to boot. She is a southern housewife and she is not willing to share that role. If I cook or clean for her, she will follow behind me with her arthritic knees and redo it all. When I was 28 years old she offered me a snack and I accepted a bananna. She then told me how to hold and peel said banana. At 28 years old. Oh, and when a bachelor delivered something to her door, she told him about her cute 22 year old granddaughter, with me in the next room. I laughed and asked her if her memory was slipping, I was something like 26 or 28 at the time. She said no, but "he looked 23, so 22 would be perfect for him".

What this all boils down to is this. My grandmother lives her life and enjoys it tremendously. She has every bit of her mind and her memories. She is not in a nursing home and is very active, if a bit slower to move around than 10 years ago - but then, so am I.

I'm not ready to let her go. Part of me feels I would do her a disservice by visiting and having her worry over me too. But part also feels that if I visit now, I'm saying goodbye. And I can't do that. Not yet, not now. My friends say "but she's 96!". Yeah, and I work daily with the elderly. She beats 'em all. I see people in their 60's worse off than my grandmother, they're done. They've given up trying to walk again and cry because it hurts. It does hurt and it is tough, I see it all the time - some triumph and some don't. But Genie hasn't given up yet and I'm not ready to give her up. Selfish maybe, but it's the truth.

Selfish Lola now says goodnight.

Mystery Stitch Pictures

2006-08-24T23:23:00.000-04:00

Ok, finally, as promised ... pictures of my mystery stitch! Remember, I was trying to double knit the HOOVER blanket from the knitty site. Instead, I have NOT double knit, but done something really strange. Someone's gonna post a comment and say, "ah, that's the moss stitch" or something. I know it's not moss, but what I don't know is exactly what stitch it really is, I just know what it isn't.

Ah well, mistake it might be ... BUT I LIKE IT!

Lola

Some things are hard to do

2006-08-19T16:53:00.000-04:00

Little story:

My good friends have a new baby. When they were trying to decorate the nursery, they attempted to put a crucifix on the wall. This crucifix was given to the father by his mother when he himself was a child.

Unfortunately, Christ had lost a nail from one of his hands and was loose. They didn't want to put it up on the wall, not wanting certain pieces to, well, fall.

The husband told the wife that it was no big deal, just put the little nail back into Christ's hand. She stopped and stared at him. Then said quietly, "I don't think I can do that." He looked at her, then at the crucifix, then back up at her. He then said, "I don't think I can do it either."

Solution? The crucifix is on a table and a new one is on the wall.

My first reaction when I heard her tell me this was that it was a fixable problem, the second reaction was ... "I'm not doing it!".

I told this story at work and 9 of 10 people said that they couldn't put a nail back into Christ's hand either. One person said they'd have no problem with it, just bring it to her. I blinked and told her, "No offense, but it would almost be worse having someone who didn't care do it than do it myself."

It's just "one of those things."

Lola

Unlikely Pair

2006-08-17T19:09:00.000-04:00

Okay. I had my first date through e-harmony. Not love at first sight, but a possible friend and then who knows? Probably not my "mate", but hey, it's a start right?

Project Runway - Unlikely pair - Laura and Michael. Love 'em! Love them both. I know most of the guys on the show have shown a hatred for Laura, and I don't care. Michael is the coolest guy up there and he and Laura get along fine. Michael even won the last two challenges! Now, the Pam Grier outfit he designed really, really looked great. The 'garbage' outfit made from recyclable materials was very nice, but I also actually liked Jeffrey's - although I don't care for him himself. And I've pretty much loved everything Laura has done, although I know why she hasn't won a challenge. She's got good taste. If I wanted something designed, I'd call her. It's all chic and wonderful and wearable - although I'm not the same body style that the models are, but I'd still call her. Or Michael. Robert is still loved, but he's riding that edge of boring. Kayne, well ... I like him. I really like him, but he can go over the top. Sorry to see Alison go, it should have been Angela or Vincent. Don't get me wrong, Angela has grown on me - and I did love the Audrey Hepburn dress and the INC outfit. But the 'garbage' outfit was ... garbage. Yet Vincent's was worse.

That's all I have time for now, more later!
Lola

Paper Clips

2006-08-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

I cried last night. Of course, it was because I watched a very moving documentary called PAPER CLIPS.

It's about a small town in Tennessee trying to teach middle school children about diversity, tolerance, and the tolls of intolerance and hatred. They chose to teach about the holocaust. In the teaching of this course, one child mentioned that he could not fathom 6 million jewish deaths. "What's 6 million?" How do you visualize 6 million?

So the school started a project, to collect 6 million paper clips. Something I did not know is that a paper clip has meaning. It was designed by a Norwegian and was used by the Norwegians during the war as a symbol of some sort.

By the time the project was over, they had collected nearly 29 million paper clips. People from all over the world would send them. Some sent one for each person in their family that they lost. Some sent one, with a note, while others sent boxes. A school class in Germany sent one a piece each with a note of apology (in German) to Anne Frank.

I won't go into detail, but the final memorial that they found and refurbished and is now at home in Tennessee is indeed inspiring. A true piece of history turned from sadness into a memorial.

This is a truly surprising, bright, discovery filled, sad and delightful piece.

Yours,
Lola

Mystery Stitch

2006-08-08T23:45:00.000-04:00

Well, see ... I was trying to knit the "Hoover" blanket from the knitty website. The pattern wasn't working out for me, couldn't get the hang of double knitting. So I called my wiser and more experienced (knitting) friend and mentor, Mary. Over the phone she gave me directions on how she double knits.

Welllll...... See now, I started knitting this blanket and I really, really liked how it was looking, but it just didn't look Right. It's a beautiful blanket, pictures to come I promise, but it ... well, truthfully, it's not double knitting.

I don't know what the stitch is or how it came about, it just is rather organic in it's mistaken nature. Mary saw it for the first time tonight. She told me it was lovely, but all wrong to be double knitted. She refuses to show me how to double knit properly until I finish this blanket, so as not to screw up this rather pretty mistake. If this stitch is out there and known to someone, I have NO clue. Usually my mistakes are frog-worthy only.

We'll see what happens,
God Bless

Needs Charging

2006-08-06T23:53:00.000-04:00

Not me, my phone.

Today I have spoken with my sister-in-law for an hour, then later with my brother for an hour and change, and then I just got off the phone with my sister after speaking with her for over an hour. And Suzanne and I would have kept talking for-evah if I hadn't pulled the plug. I do have to go to bed now, since work days start early.

Good news is, everyone is doing well. Now I want to catch up with my other two brothers, but neither my phone nor I can do it tonight! Maybe tomorrow.

All is well here. I'm disappointed about the show, but it's all good. Oh, and I watched Hugh Jackman in OKLAHOMA! tonight and I really do recommend this piece. Very, very nice. Then again people ... it's Hugh Jackman! C'mon!

Love and God Bless,
Lola

I've feel Auf'ed

2006-08-03T21:19:00.000-04:00

The title is a reference to PROJECT RUNWAY 3 by the way. Which I love. Glad Keith is gone and not someone else, glad to see Bonnie go too. Way weirded out by how much I actually LIKE Angela's piece this time around. Still love Laura and Michael.

Just got the cast list for PROPOSALS. No, I didn't make it. Some nice people, and good friends did. Again. I know I can't take this personally. I thought I had a nice strong audition. I really, really did. I love Anna, and she'll be good, she really will. But ... there's still this small part of me, that feels so ... small right now.

I'll write more later, can't now.
Lola

State of the Union

2006-07-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

For those who want to know!

My time on e-harmony, well ... nothing much so far! Maybe some nice people, but nothing serious as of yet, or even really the potential for seriousness. I'm not giving up, but my hopes aren't set real high here.

Weight Watchers. This is going great! I've lost 14 pounds and maybe when I weigh in tomorrow, it'll be 15 pounds. That's my short-term goal. I've been on this diet for 2 1/2 months. My first goal was to lose 5 pounds a month, my current goal is to lose at least 15 before my next audition. That audition is August 1st and I'm almost there!

Yes, I had to train myself to eat breakfast, a meal I almost always used to skip. But this is the all important meal that gets my motabilism up and running and burning engery. I usually eat some plain oatmeal that I've added vanilla and cinnamon to, I don't like the pre-packaged flavored kind because it has too much layered sodium and other things. And I'm trying to reduce my bad cholesterol, so oatmeal ... check. If not oatmeal, then mini-wheat or corn flakes and yogurt. Something with water soluble fiber.

Snacks - Carrots are free! Free foods are my friend. Broccoli (which I love) is also free, but baby carrots are easier to tote to work and snack on between patients.

Lunch - Well, I try to keep it down for lunch, so I can have dessert after dinner. I can go to Taco Bell, Subway, or the local salad bar pretty easily. I also bring my own frozen meals from Lean Cuisine, their bowl meals aren't so bad for lunch. I follow this with some yogurt with live cultures (my favorite is the orange dreamsicle flavor), fat free of course. If at home, I can make a tomatoe and cucumber sandwich pretty easily. If this sounds like diet food to you, just remember these are my favorite sandwiches even when I was eating poorly (the only difference is instead of mayo, I toast my bread with some margerine I mixed with crushed garlic (garlic butter!). Hey, it's only 1 point per sandwich (if you get the right bread of course - I use Nature's Own Light Honey Wheat). I can also go to Sonic if I want ... a small fry is only 4 points! I use that as a treat when needed.

Dinner - I've been trying new things. I have a WW cookbook and have made the HOMEMADE BAKED ONION RINGS. I've got to tell you, they're crunchy and good and delicious. I've been to places with onion rings and sometimes they're not so good. These aren't as breaded, but they turn out crunchy every time. A diet with onion rings people, I'm doing just fine!

Baked corn on the cob that requires no butter since I rolled it in olive oil, lime juice, and seasoning before wrapping in foil and baking. This is the bomb.

Orzo with garlic and ginger veggies. Pasta! I missed pasta. I tried the low-carb, and I love a diet that lets me have bread, onion rings, and pasta. This is really good.

Fettucini with Walnut Sauce - okay, this was good the first day, but don't make enough for left overs, it doesn't re-heat real well. Next time I'll cut the recipe down by 2/3rds.

Red beans and rice - okay it comes from a box, but it's quick and easy and delicious and fits into my diet.

Dessert:

One small glass of wine is only 2 points. I don't want this all the time, but it's nice to know that I can. But if it comes down to it, it prefer:

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH SUNDAES! These are from Smart Ones in the frozen food aisle at Walmart. They are $1.88 for a box of two. They're small, but oh so good and only 3 points. I've also tried they're key lime pie and chocolate eclairs, but I have always been a cookie dough kinda girl ... hence the diet.

I've made a Raspberry and Pink Grape Fruit grenata. It's really, really good too. There are some cookie recipes that I want to try as well, but I'll wait until I've finished off the grenata first. The recipe makes a lot, but it's a frozen treat so it'll last.

The list goes on, but this is a mere sample.

And I've got to say ... onion rings!
Lola

My SP sent me porn, YARN porn!

2006-07-28T17:31:00.000-04:00

Hey ya'll (and to those Yankee's needing a translation, "Hello")

Well, today I went to the doctor. My NEW doctor because my old one is no longer practicing (he works in patient care quality improvement at the hospital now).

The stirrups (yech) and a tetanus shot (every 10 years). But my arm is now sore. I had a patient who has hallucinations and a "psychosis" diagnosis. We were calmly going over some orientation questions (what's your name? where are you? what year is it?) when the air conditioner came on (hey, it's summer!). She thought the room was going to "explode" and became agitated grabbing things near her. In the midst of this she grabbed my arm and it took two people to remove her grip on my arm. She scratched me. Now, she did NOT mean too do so and even apologized (although what she apologized was for throwing her potato chips around - which never happened btw). It was still an apology. But it did make me look to see if my tetanus was up to date, which it was .... barely. Thus today's vaccination. Not that I would get tetanus from this, but you have to be careful.

Then I came home. AND MY KITTEN WAS PLAYING WITH A BOX ON MY PORCH! See, see what my Secret Pal sent me:

There's a candle, some lovely scented soap (is it home made??????), a row counter which I love and need and some wash soap for delicates. There's also jelly belly candies, and yes, the box you see in the back is already open. Hey, it's only 3 points on my weight watchers diet! And I've now lost 14 pounds ....

But the best ... oh people, the best is the YARN. My secret pal sent me my most coveted and luscious yarn ever. Bamboo. I purred. Really, I did.

I love it. This yarn is soooooooooo soft. And I adore, adore I tell you, this colorway. I don't yet know what it wants to be when it grows up, but I hope it tells me soon!

Secret Pal - I love you!

Lola

Good Ham's

2006-07-24T18:38:00.000-04:00

I went to Ham's with my good friends and their 10 month old baby. The waitress carded me. CARDED me. I could have hugged her. The shock on her face when she saw my date of birth was worth the statement "I didn't realize you were that OLD!".

Old my left foot (which is actually just as old as the rest of me).

I was born in 1966. Do the math. And you begin to understand why I really liked this waitress. And no one tell me she was just looking for a good tip. Just let me savor it for a moment ....

Lola

Bad Applebee's

2006-07-18T19:34:00.000-04:00

I don't think I'm a bad customer. I tip well, I don't commmonly complain, and if there's a problem then I'm pretty patient. Well. Mary and I went to Applebee's tonight. The waitress was nice and she kept up with us pretty well. The manager came by just as we were getting our food and asked if we were doing "all right". We said yes, we were fine. Then about half-way through her salad, Mary realized that the blue cheese crumbles where missing from her salad. They had never been there. I asked if she wanted to call the waitress over and she said no, she was nearly done anyway.

When the waitress came by, I told her that Mary's salad had had no cheese. Now keep in mind this was a "bleu" salad and what makes it such is the bleu cheese! We explained we weren't really complaining, but just wanted to let the resteraunt know. Well, when she came by with our check she asked if "Mario" had been by (the manager). We said no, and she said he would be. "Mario" then came by and Mary told him about the missing cheese.

Now ... we had NOT been rude, adamant, or challenging. We were not asking for free food or anything gratis. We didn't feel this was necessary, not for a few missing cheese crumbles (although I do love bleu cheese). But he didn't let us finish, Mary was interrupted. INTERRUPTED. And we were told basically that it was too late for us to complain since we had already eaten our meal, and that we had told him that everything was "fine" when he came by earlier. And all of this was told in a condescending manner as if we should either know better or were probably idiots.

So I stopped him. I told him that we didn't want anything, and that when he'd come by the food was just being delivered and we hadn't known the dish wasn't complete yet. And that we were just informing him of our experience, not asking for anything. At this point he smiled and pretty much said "thank you" and went on his way.

All we wanted was an "We're sorry, we hope you'll join us again. Thank you for coming." That's it. Instead we were talked down to and brushed off.

Bad Applebee's manager, bad. We were not raising a fuss or asking for anything. Maybe try listening to the customer first before leaping to an erroneous conclusion and end up turning a minor glitch into an irritation.

fromage rules!
Lola

Saint Ralph

2006-07-11T21:48:00.000-04:00

Hey ya'll. MOVIE RECOMMENDATION:

RUN, don't walk to see SAINT RALPH. That's an inside joke since it's a movie about running. And miracles. This film just ... yep, it's that good. Funny too.

Go, watch. Really.

Lola

Long Overdue

2006-07-05T20:44:00.000-04:00

Yes, I have been lax in keeping up with my blog lately. Sorry! What's going on in my life? Well, I'm knitting a new baby blanket for a good friend, Shelby. This is the Hoover blanket from the knitty web site. I'm double knitting and I don't know if it's working right, but it looks pretty good, although nothing like my friend Mary's. I'm going to have to show it to her to figure out what's going on. In the meantime, it looks good and I'm going to finish it as is and I'll post a picture when I can.

I have joined eharmony. Oi! I'm not sure about this .... I'm pretty set in my ways and very happy in my life right now. I don't need another person to "complete" my life. But I wouldn't mind having a partner to go dancing with or talking with, growing older together, etc. etc. I'm really not sure about this at all. Then, my friend Shannon suggested she had a great friend "perfect" for me. That never turns out well, but what if he is the right one? Oh well. Wait and see, just smile and wave y'all, just smile and wave.

In the meantime, I have more European pictures. No, no groaning please! This first one is of the gates at Buckingham Palace. The one after that is from where I poked my camera through the gates to take a picture of the palace and the palace guards.

Next come some pictures from the Tower of London. The first one is of the Tower Bridge, it's really quite impressive right up close.

Here is the infamous Traitor's Gate (once the Water Gate). Here is where Anne Boleyn entered and became hysterical, sitting upon the steps and having to be carried in to the Royal apartments. Princess Elizabeth, imprisoned by her half-sister Bloody Mary, was the only prisoner brought in through this gate who survived. She was to become Queen Elizabeth I.

I forget which tower I took this picture from, but it was dark and dreary, and I'm not even sure this was a cell.

This is the Bloody Tower (on left) and Ralegh's Walk (on right). They spell Ralegh differently, for it is Sir Walter Raleigh for whom the city just an hour from me is named. He spent 13 years imprisoned in plush settings, but he hated it despite the comforts afforded to him. This is also where the two princes were housed before being foully murdered ... by Henry VII (or his followers). I know it's generally regarded to be the fault of Richard III, but I totally disagree with that view and even wrote a paper on the subject.

This is the White Tower, and the first building of what now makes up the Tower of London. It was started during the reign of William the Conqueror. There are several towers at the "Tower".

I'm throwing this in just cuz I love it. This is a picture of the remaining Roman wall at the Tower of London. Why did the Roman's conquer so much of the world? One answer is ... concrete. I won't lecture now, but look it up, it's true. Why were the Roman's buildings so superior? They used volcanic rock to make their concrete and it was stronger and lasted longer than anything else in the region, many regions.

This is an interesting picture. I regret not getting a better picture of the tower to the far right, the one with the ecru stones. That's Beauchamp Tower and that is where Queen Anne Boleyn was housed before being beheaded, same for many others, including Lady Jane Grey who was Queen Regent for 9 days before being executed by Bloody Mary for treason. She was 17 years old I think.

But the house in the center with the blue doors was a prison for 4 days to Rudolph Hess, one time secretary to Adolph Hitler.

Next time: The British Museum!

Lola

Secret Pal o'rama!

2006-06-28T20:32:00.000-04:00

Well, this weekend has been both good and bad. First, I worked all day Saturday then left to spend a three day "weekend" with friends I haven't seen since I got back from Europe (I loooove saying "Europe!" forgive me). Anyway, I got sick. These are good friends, so they took care of me and we had fun anyway, we were all kind of sick together. Anyway, this morning I left their place and headed back to work, which is only a thirty minute commute from their place rather than the hour one back to my place. I left early because I was so nauseated and weak. Yuck. This was my worst feeling day.

Then I got home and my neighbor called and said he had found a package for me. He wasn't sure if this one needed refrigerating (see previous entries for story on THAT one!), so he went ahead and stuck it in his fridge just in case.

My Secret Pal has struck! And boy, she should be HURRICANE Secret Pal! How she got all of this goodness in one box is beyond me.

First thing I saw when I opened the box is this, how gorgeous is this bag? Big too!

There were these lovely, and delectable items as well. Love the bamboo DPN's! Not quite sure if the German sounding treat bag is for me or not, it has kittens on the outside ... could be a kitty treat. There is also a very lovely tape measure. I never have enough, and had just lost my last one. How did she know????

Then, to go with the lovely bamboo DPN's is this lovely bag. Do Not Fear the Sock. I laughed so hard it hurt. And since I'm sick, it really hurts. :) But in this kit that she put together for me are instructions and her helpful comments to make it easer ... Not to mention the two skeins of LOVELY Cascade 220 in my favorite color!!!!!

Then there was this "mystery" bag, looks home made ...

Someone knows me way to well. There are gifts in the bag, HOMEMADE knitted items. Three of 'em! Items to be FELTED. And even better ... INSTRUCTIONS!

And as I pondered the plunder (can you tell I'm ready for the new "Pirates" movie??), I realized that there was a rather large box in my box.

I don't know who my SP7 is, but wow. WOW! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Everything was so wonderful and cool! (not just refrigerated either!)

I am going away now, to contemplate socks ....

Lola

Interesting

2006-06-21T23:18:00.000-04:00

Hey, I took this quiz that I found on my friend's blog. I found it truly interesting. Here's the result for me:

You scored as Cultural Creative. Cultural Creatives are probably the newest group to enter this realm. You are a modern thinker who tends to shy away from organized religion but still feels as if there is something greater than ourselves. You are very spiritual, even if you are not religious. Life has a meaning outside of the rational.

Cultural Creative

75%

Idealist

63%

Postmodernist

63%

Fundamentalist

56%

Romanticist

44%

Existentialist

25%

Modernist

13%

Materialist

What is Your World View? (updated)
created with QuizFarm.com

Also ... I just watched a documentary/film "Blindspot: Hitler's Secretary". It really differs from all other films I've seen. It is nothing but a monologue/interview with no interruptions by archival footage or such. It was in German and I had to read the subtitles which subtracts from the emotional connection to the lady. It didn't matter. The last part, told without cuts at all, was her recounting of the last day with Hitler at the bunker. This piece did not need all the bells and whistles to hold attention. It just is what it is and it holds you or it doesn't. I felt for her and I believed her. Here is a woman who battled depression and self-loathing for years, decades, because she "didn't know" or as she amended, "didn't want to know". She was his personal secretary and took dictation, but the military and social agenda items were not in her auspices. I won't say too much more other than it's worth watching. She tells a tale that is not romantic or heroic of a man she once considered a father figure, but whom she ended up hating. Just a side note, she never joined the nazi party.

Cat vs Bear and yes, more pictures of London

2006-06-17T23:19:00.000-04:00

You have to see to believe, a 15 pound CLAWLESS cat named Jake chasing an unwelcome visitor out of his yard, or that was the original idea. Now, normally I would speak out about letting CLAWLESS cats roam outside, so pitifully defenseless .... right.

Check out who ol' Jake chased up a tree.

Poor bear.

Worked a half-day today and then went to my friend (and former student's) wedding. Very lovely bride, wedding and reception. Her poor father was tearing up all day, then the father/daughter dance made me really tear up. It was "their" song, and the whole time they're dancing, he's singing it to her - just like he's done since she was a little girl. It was just one of THOSE moments, you know?

Okay, here are more pictures of my vacation:

PETA better not throw blood or paint on these guys hats, they have serious weapondry. Canadian bear fur though.

This one was a picture I took just outside of St. Paul's Cathedral, unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures inside of St. Paul's.

And here's a closer look at this random London arch.

And this (bad) picture was taken from the tour bus (I was on the wrong side of the bus apparently) of 10 Downing Street. This was as close as we could get, in a bus, and since there were guards and gates, maybe by foot as well. That's Holly's head by the way.

The following were all exterior shots of St. Paul's Cathedral. This was the place where Princess Diana got married. It holds the tombs of Wellington and Lord Horatio Nelson. Those were ... wow.

More later!
Lola

More pictures of London

2006-06-11T16:14:00.000-04:00

Alright, I'd LOVE to post all my pictures from my recent travels abroad, but since there are 600+, I will try to cut it back just a bit.

On Day Three (day one was actually lost to travelling) we started out by picking up a guide and going to Windsor Castle. Beautiful! We could not take any pictures inside Windsor itself, but here are a few from that day:

Here is a statue of Queen Victoria just outside the castle. I got this lovely picture because I was late meeting the group (got left behind). They found me, it's all good.

And here is Windsor, or a part of it, it's BIG!

More Windsor, and because the British Union Jack is flying overhead it means the Queen is not in residence. If she had been home it would have been her personal standard flying up there. Oh, and if you are in London and see a green taxi being driven that has NO license plates - that's Prince Phillip driving around. Really.

I never saw a green license-less taxi, but I did take a picture of a lamborgini from our bus. Does this make me paparazzi?????

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official residence, but she prefers Windsor. This part of the castle was behind locked gates. Funny story to follow. Heeeee!

These are the locked gates, and those are the guards sent to relieve other guards. Only ... HE COULDN'T UNLOCK THE GATE! Apparently, they'd brought the wrong key. So they marched back (in unison of course) to get the right key. Mother, Pat and I went shopping and walked back up the hill through Norman Gate and saw the same three start back down the hill. So I stated quietly (alright, maybe not SO quietly), that I hoped that this time they had the right key. Apparently, I wasn't quiet at all and one turned and laughed and smiled. That made my morning. I know they weren't actually on guard duty at Buckingham Palace and could move and all that, but still. It was tres cool.

More later!
Lola

The Tale of the Boxes

2006-06-09T19:01:00.000-04:00

Hurray! My Secret Pal's treat box did arrive! My neighbor's wife had put it in the refridgerator. My neighbor then picked up a box and also put that in the fridge. When I came home, he gave me the box he had put in the fridge, not realizing there was another box.

These lovely gifts were from my terrific SP!

I even took a picture before eating any ... that's HUGE for me!

More travel pics later, munchies await!
Lola

Things to challenge a bladder

2006-06-08T22:01:00.000-04:00

Absolutely true story:

I left for London on Tuesday, May 30th ... the day after Memorial Day. My Secret Pal sent me an e-mail saying she had forgotten about no mail delivery on Monday and my "treat" wouldn't get to my house until AFTER I had left for Europe. The problem? She said the package would need refrigeration.

Okay, that piqued my interest, but I immediately called my dear neighbor who had agreed to tend my cat and kittens as well as pick up my mail while I was away. She said no problem when I explained I was expecting two packages - one from Amazon and one from my SP.

I got back the day before yesterday, but spent the night and next day with my parents, zoned out on jet-lag. Seriously. I got up, ate breakfast, and took a shower - checked the time and it was 3:30 p.m.!!! Not sure what really happened to that day other than I felt like crap. Soooo ... went to work from my parents house today and suffered through wearily until going home. Went to my neighbors and they had my Amazon package, mail, left-over kitty food, oh ... and one package in the fridge. Yeah!

Well, I went home and unpacked the car, all the while thinking "what did she send me???". Finally, I sat down and picked up the box. Hey, it's marked "Amazon". Was there a mix up? No, the other box is also marked "Amazon". Okay ... did my dear Secret Pal send me something from Amazon???? No. I opened the chilly package to discover a book I'd ordered. Okay. Opened the other box, there was the other book I'd ordered.

My neighbor had so nicely refrigerated and preserved .... A BOOK!

I laughed so hard and long that I was a bit afraid of bladder control. Now, this story does NOT make my SP feel good, she's trying to track down this package, and I'll be checking on my end as well. But in the mean time, everytime I look at my book, I can't help but giggle. So nice of my neighbor to keep my book from becoming all melty in the heat.

Okay. Now. About the TRAVEL!

Day One:

Leave for Europe. This entails a 2 hour ride to Raleigh. Checking in and security checks. Meeting the others on the tour. Making sure I (and Mom) remembered everything. We didn't - Mom forgot her sunglasses and when we stopped for lunch she bought another pair (she later found her original sunglasses in her suitcase). Flight to Detroit. Delay. Delay. Fly from Detroit overnight to London. Sleep badly on the plane, but am tremendously happy the medicine patch worked. No nausea. Get to Gatwick airport in England. Stand in line. Stand in line. This sucks, we stood in line for what seemed live forever. Finally, we're through.

We meet our tour guide, Bambi.

Yep. Not a nick-name. Bambi. We play "follow the deer". Bus ride to our hotel, check-in, ride the train to Victoria Station from East Croyden (where our hotel is) which is a burrough of London. Have fun trying to figure out how to turn on the lights in our room - did you know you have to put your door key card in a slot and leave it there to make the electricity flow? Oh well, onward! Take the tube to ... Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square, and Covent Garden. Meet the 20 odd teenagers and there chaperone's that I did not realize would be part of our tour group. Oi, hormones and junk food.

BTW ... Bambie can MOVE. Fast little deer even though she's 5 months pregnant. We leave Trafalgar and go to Liechester (pronounced Luster) Square where we eat ... and I kid you not ... what the Brits think of as Mexican food. This does not bode well for food in England. Sad. It was awful.

Went exploring. Visited Marks and Spencer for some shopping. We're all exhausted and it's getting dark finally. Check the watch and it's nearly 11 p.m.! It doesn't get dark til late in London apparently.

Here are some pictures from day one:

This is a view of London from the Hungerford Bridge just off Victoria Embankment. You can see the dome of St. Paul's in the distance.

King Edward the first was bringing the body of his beloved Queen Eleanor back to London to be buried. Everywhere they stopped on the journey he had a cross built in her memory. This is not the actual one, it's been moved from it's original site and it's a Victorian "copy" of the original cross.

St. Martins in the Fields just off of Trafalgar Square.

This is a bronze statue of George Washington outside of the National Galary at Trafalgar Square. It was given by the commonwealth of Virginia to England in 1921. And I love this - it actually rests upon 2 tons of Virginian soil because good ol' George had declared that he would never again set foot upon "foreign soil".

I would have loved to have taken a picture of Lord Horatio Nelson's monument in Trafalgar Square, but it was covered from tip to base (and that's HUGE by the way - only beaten in height by the spire of St. Martins in the Field - see above picture - for height) because it was been cleaned and tended. I did get to see his tomb (not on today's agenda though and no pictures allowed inside of St. Paul's Cathedral unfortunately).

Anyway, more to come later!
Lola

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jig

2006-06-07T10:30:00.000-04:00

Well all, mother and I got home last night about 3:00 a.m. due to a delay with the United flight from Dulles. They had to change a light bulb and there was only one mechanic who could do it and it delayed us by 2 hours. On the otherhand we had a little under 30 minutes in Munich to change planes (including terminals) but you have to love German organization, it was no problem! BTW, loooove Lufthansa, very nice flight (and the food on the airplane was sadly better than our meals in London). Paris food wsa good though.

I'm jet lagged and sniffling, but all is well. Have lots of souvenirs (sp?) and over 500 pictures. I will post some (NOT ALL) on my blog as soon as possible. I'm staying the day with my parents today because I can't face the idea of driving home and unpacking. Today is a day to relax.

Much more later,
Lola

Waving from the UK

2006-06-01T13:31:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm here in London in a little internet cafe. The trip was delayed about two hours, but we did finally arrive. We toured Windsor and Windsor Castle today, in the past two days we've been to Picadilly Circus, St. Paul's Cathedral (where Princess Di was married), Covent Garden, Liecester Square, and many many more.

I'm tired, but there's too much fun and too much to do to even think about stopping. Tonight we're going out to Drury Lane (Covent Garden) and see the Blue Man Group. Tomorrow we tour the Tower of London (among other things) and then get a free afternoon. Mum (so British!) and I are heading straight for the British Museum.

Later all, Lola is on the move!

Blackout!

2006-05-27T08:04:00.000-04:00

Well, well ... lots going on.

The show started last weekend and continues through this weekend. The local critic for a small town newspaper gave us a really good write up. I wouldn't call it a review, but it was still very nice and had some very nice things to say about the cast.

The trip is looming and lots to be done, or so it feels. Actually most everything except some small things are all done, it just FEELS like I have a ton to do, or should. Why is that? I pack up Sunday after we strike the show, go to work on Monday (suffer through work on Monday with Carla having a short day) and then head to my parents to spend the night and off to Europe on Tuesday. Wow.

The kitties have tenative homes. Matilda has a definate place as soon as she is weaned. Horace would have a good home if he hadn't turned into Horror Kitty the first time I picked him up. I'm hoping he just wasn't feeling well and he does better the next time. My landlord and his wife (who love the cats) are taking care of them while I'm gone and hopefully they'll get better used to people loving on them. Wallace. Well, Wally has a possible home (two actually). If Carla and her two boys can't talk Dad into a new kitten, then another girl from work has expressed possible interest. We'll see.

Last night was a really bad storm. Bad storm. Luckily it was all over by the time I drove home from the theatre. Unfortunately, when I got home the place was dark. I had remembered that I had turned on my porch light and got nervous that maybe someone had broken in and was waiting for me (paranoid, who me?). But then realized it was probably the storm. Found the flashlight without any problem and lit some candles (then made sure the house was intruder free - it was). Now, I had to get to work by 7 am and was without an alarm clock. Fine, I'll use my cell phone - except it's charge is on LOW and I don't know if it will last. So I use what little power the phone still has to put in a wake up call with my Mom, not realizing if the cell phone dies - so does the call. Then I turned on the alarm on the phone and plugged it in to charge in case the power came back on.

Good news, the power was back on by 3 am and my alarm worked just fine. Which is good, because Mom failed me and called 47 minutes late. However, I was already up and ready to go by that time so all is good.

Funny story
Secret Pal 7 round on the Knitty web site. I go shopping for my new SP using the link to her Amazon Wish List. Hmmm, she likes a lot of what I like, how strange. I order, I receive, then I realize I had ordered from my OWN wish list rather than hers. Crud. Re-order for her and keep my stuff. Oh well, at least I get a few treats out of this debacle.

Have a great day, I know I will ... it's my BIRTHDAY and I have a big decorated cookie from my friends that I found waiting for me on my desk this morning.

Lola

Take Three

2006-05-22T13:43:00.000-04:00

(Drumroll please) ... these pictures aren't spectacular, but here are the kittens!

Here are Wallace (on the left) and Horace.

and, here are all THREE! The orange kitten is Horace, the one in front is Wallace, and the scaredy-cat in back is Matilda.

Later!
Lola

p.s. - Did two crosswords yesterday, both had a clue about a girl's name in a KINKS song ... yep, "Lola". Hey, I've still got it!

Hunting Big Game

2006-05-20T01:11:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Chavela, she is the new mom to three kitties! Savor the moment, cuz it'll be the last before I have her spayed. Soooo ... I knew there were kittens, but I didn't know how many or where. The answers are three and under my house.

So, I'm hunting for homes for the three darlings and for pictures. While waiting to try and capture these cuties on digital "film", I took these in my yard just because:

and ...

and ...

and finally, a peek - if you look reeeeaaaallly close ...

and, finally, I had to leave and did not get pictures of all three kittens. Only this cutie felt brave enough to come out. I'd call this one Wallace for BRAVEHEART, but he came to a bad end and my friend Mary reminded me that calico cats are female. Any name suggestions? There is another calico and an orange kitten as well.

Ta for now, God Bless
Lola

Amy's Bad ....

2006-05-16T12:44:00.000-04:00

My Secret Pal for round six was the wonderful, spectacular, and devious BAD AMY! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You really made this last round so much fun.

I just got my last package on Saturday afternoon just as I was leaving town and didn't have a chance to post. Got home last night after 11 p.m. and dove right into bed. So, here is your thank you!!!!!!!! Sorry it took so long.

My last box contained several different types of candy from the U.K. and I'd post a picture, but some of it is already devoured. Not simply eaten, devourrrrred! Also included was a 2006 Tourist guide to England/London. I've already been flipping through to some of the places I KNOW I want to visit and finding out new things on places I NOW know I want to visit.

Thank you Bad Amy, you're so bad you're wonderful!

Lola

Excellence in Television????

2006-05-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

Is there such a thing? Well, there's some that's coming close!

Dr. Who
I loved this campy, campy series years ago. Especially with 4th (?) Dr. Who, Tom Baker. Silly fun. The new Dr. Who on the sci-fi channel... ROCKS. It has the charm and silliness of the previous incarnations and yet is smartly written and the production values are great. Witness the last of the Darleks. Coolness personified.

Veronica Mars
I'm a late comer to this series. I had been getting the Jeeves and Wooster series through Netflix with the excellence of Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, but after the first two seasons, the situations are growing too predictable to me. The first two seasons were hilarious, but the first disc of season 3 just didn't cut it for me much. I may go back and finish, who knows. But see, I had heard about this VM series and heard all sorts of good things. I knew it starred a high school PI type of person and couldn't help thinking "Nancy Drew". So I'd never watched it. But the buzz had me wondering and the first season was out on DVD, so I added it to my Netflix list. LOVED the first disc. It had me from "this can't be good."

American Idol
Nope. Still dead to me.

Definately Dead
Okay, so this isn't a t.v. show, it's a book. But it's a darn good one in a series of darn good ones by Charlaine Harris. Sookie and Quinn. Well, I like Quinn alright so far, and the twist with Bill is great ... but ... but ... I want ERIC! *sniff* Oh, and finally some explanation on Claudine. Good on you, mate. And no, that's not a reference to an Australian connection, just a turn of phrase.

Later y'all and happy Mother's Day!
Lola

I'm Done

2006-05-10T22:17:00.000-04:00

American Idol is over. Fini. Dead to me.

Chris, I will buy your first CD with pleasure.

Lola

Good News vs. Bad News

2006-05-08T18:13:00.000-04:00

Ain't life strange ...

See, it was bad news last night when I was supposed to be heading for Raleigh to spend the night at my brother's place. I had a conference today at the Raleigh Airport Hilton. Well, the bad news was my brother was two hours away from his place helping my step-father with learning Quick Books. It took 6 hours longer than he thought! Okay. So, I have no key to my brother's apartment and don't want to drive and 1.5 hours to sit and wait for him, at night no less, in the rain. So, it gets later and later and I call him and tell him never mind. I'll stay an extra night with my friends and just get up extra early to make the long drive to Raleigh.

Well, the GOOD news (and bad as well) is that my car acted very, very badly this morning on the drive to Raleigh and I wasn't sure I was going to make it. Every exit I wondered if this would be the one I was stuck at on the side of the road. I prayed the whole way there and barely made it, the last hill up to the Hilton parking lot I wasn't sure I'd make it. And, I HAD TO be there this morning. I needed the education hours to renew my professional license, and I'd already paid for the seminar and trying to come up with another one by the deadline, OUCH. Why is this good news? Cuz if I'd tried to make the trip last night I most likely would have had a nervous breakdown. At night, in the pouring rain (storms!), on an unfamiliar highway, in the middle of nowhere. Yep, today was GOOD news.

And let me just say, I have to stop saying bad things about Paris Hilton for at least three months. The people at the Raleigh Airport Hilton (especially Shelton, Hugh, and Marshal) were sOOOOOOOO nice. I wasn't a guest, and they took care of me like you wouldn't believe. Even drove me to the rental place to get a car for no charge! Although, I did tip. Heck yeah I tipped.

Now, you can say they were just doing their jobs. But I gotta tell you, they all helped take away a lot of my stress. They were kind and considerate and went over and beyond (luggage, calls, wrecker service, shuttle service etc. etc.)

IronHide Tom

2006-05-07T12:14:00.000-04:00

Well, yesterday for those not in-the-know was Free Comic Book Day. I went to my friend's shop and hung out, picked up my usual titles, and looked through the free books. I never find too much in the freebies. But there was this one ...

"The Preposterous Voyages of IronHide Tom" by Joel Priddy.

Subversive and quite, quite odd. I love it. If you collect, try to find this small gem. It's good stuff.

I also picked up some manga on the sale side of things, nothing extraordinary I don't think. We'll see and I'll let you know.

Just watched Squaresoft's Advent Children. EXCELLENT! Sephiroth! Cloud! Tifa! And Vincent. I adore ol vampire vince. I hear he's getting his own game soon. Sign me up now! This was watched at my friend's home, but I will have to pick up my own copy soon. Although, I've got to add ... does anyone else who has seen Advent Children think Cloud bears a resemblence to the actor Barry Pepper, especially the nose, chin and mouth???? Wild. Good thing I like the resemblence, otherwise it might have been annoying. Like if he'd borne a resemblence to say, Tom Cruise. Yikes!

Later all!
Lola

Bamfoozled!

2006-05-01T18:25:00.000-04:00

Okay, fine ... get this: My Secret Pal (6) has been sending me things from Toledo, Ohio. Today, I got a card from (drumroll) London, England. Now, this could mean she mailed it to a friend in the UK to mail to me, as I have done for other friends to their SP's. It could mean she's travelling. It could mean the wool (mmmm Merino!) has been completely pulled over my eyes. Who knows???? Well, she does and I DON'T!!!!!!!! She said there were "clues" on the envelope. There was a "c'est moi", the word Amelia in the address, and ... and ... I feel like I'm trying to figure out the plot of LOST.

She has bewilderized, bamfoozled, confoundled, spanoodled, and otherwise confuzzled me. I NEED TO KNOW WHO SHE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (i love it)

Okay, my sister (HEY Suzanne!) has berated me a bit for not keeping up with movies and books I might be enjoying.

Well, I read the murder mystery my SP sent me and it was a lot of fun. NEEDLED TO DEATH by Maggie Sefton.

Am re-reading the Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop from which this Blog gets it's title.

Am reading THE SHINING by King for the first time. Yep, that's the first time. I've seen the movie and the mini-series and having loved THE STAND, but not read anything else by him, am trying it. I only read it during lunch, so it's slow going, but I am NOT reading this before going to bed at night. Nope.

Movies:

CAPOTE - Excellent. Hoffman (PS not D) was superb and well deserving of all the accolades. Never once looked at his performance and saw anything but Truman Capote. Nice writing too, didn't condone his actions, just showed them. It tells me a lot about why he was the way he was on the talk show circuit later in life.

MONSTER - Okay, this one I had trouble with. However Charlize Theron also deserved her merits for this film. Sad but good. Harsh to watch at times. Good film, won't be seeing it again for a while.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - The Miniseries. Okay people. I am a fan of the original and Dirk Benedict, well ... (sighing happily). I hated this when it first came out. Starbuck as a girl? Boomer as a Cylon? Cylons looking human? Come on! Bah. But the series has been getting great reviews and my brother bought season 1 and brought it to me to share. Well, I watched the miniseries again, this time without prejudgement, since I already hated it once right? It was ... decent. It was actually kinda good. Okay. I'll watch the rest of the discs. Okay, I'm looking forward to it actually. Never make me say it again. However, Dirk Benedict still rocks as Starbuck.

Now, for pictures:

The brother who lent me Battlestar Gallactica I've already put a picture up of him in an earlier post (Thanksgiving I think). But he had his face covered, so this is a better pix:

And here is a picture of a wool and mohair mixture (pre-felting) that I'm not sure what I'm going to do with yet. It's a swatch to practice felting with, but it's not speaking to me. I love the colors though.

Dirt Track

2006-04-30T16:20:00.000-04:00

Uhm, it's been awhile and for that, Lola apologizes. This is my first weekend at home when I don't have to work in ... quite a while. From here on out in May it only gets worse. I work two of the weekends, one of them I'm out of town for a conference, one I'm visiting friends, and then I'm out of the country for 8 days.

No complaints, just .... oh my.

In the meantime, my car started making "funny" motions. NOT GOOD. I feel blessed because I talked to a speech therapist whose brother-in-law has an auto body shop and she called him to ask for a recommendation on a good mechanic. The place he sent me ... I nearly cried. They were so nice, they didn't try to sell me up on things, and it was done quickly and right and I was out of there for nearly half of what I thought it might cost me. I have a mechanic I trust. It's like winning the Oscar, only harder to do.

Was supposed to go with my friends Shelby and Lee to a dirt track race this weekend. Local stuff. I've never been to a race, but Shelby's grown up with it as her father is in that field. Anyway, she thought the cover would be around $5, but it turned out to be $15. We had their baby, Harper, with us and we weren't sure that we could stay cuz we did not know how the noise would effect her mood. We did not want to pay $45 dollars just to turn around in 10-15 minutes and go back home. So we went out to eat instead. I think I preferred the banana split to the dirt track, but not yet having seen a race, who can say? Mmmm banana split ..... :0

My downstream Secret Pal for round 6 now knows who I am and I'm so glad she enjoyed being spoiled by moi! I had a great time. HOWEVER, I am still waiting to find out who my upstream pal is and I have to say .... I WANT TO KNOW! She has done such a great job of spoiling me. I so want to know who she is, but the anticipation is fun too.

Love all and God Bless
Lola

Tidbits

2006-04-17T20:09:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone had a great holiday! If you don't celebrate Easter, I still hope you had a great weekend.

First off, my Secret Pal has struck again. She sent me a lovely card in the mail for Easter, but included the London Tube schedule. I CAN NOT WAIT to find out who this marvelous person is, although I do know she lives in Toledo.

Went to visit my parents. My mother couldn't help it and went off on my weight again. It was because I ate the chocolate bunny. Hey, it's chocolate!!!!! I told her she could no longer comment on my weight. I would no longer listen to that. I asked her if she trusted that I was an observant and intelligent individual. If she agreed that I was such a person then she could trust me to know what the little numbers on the scale meant to me and/or my health. No further comments would ever be accepted or acceptable.

Before anyone thinks otherwise, I could stand to lose some weight. Heh, most of us could. I am not obese and that is not denial. I am trying to "not" diet but to eat healthy, stop when full, and have started walking 3 times a week with a good friend. My mother harping on me would only put me into a negative mood and that's when I EAT! Therefore ... no more.

Watched A FEW GOOD MEN with my parents, both of which had not seen it but really liked the movie. Also watched BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID with them, also fun. I had forgotten how good they were. However, my parents received these movies in the mail and aren't really sure they remember ordering them. Since these where not movies either would deliberately choose, I wonder. Before they end up belonging to some club paying all sorts for movies they don't care for, I gave them some advice. Sometimes I really wonder if they need a keeper. They are both intelligent and educated adults, retired from respected careers, and quite capable of running their own lives ... except when it comes to turning on the DVD player (which they call me long distance to ask each time they try to watch a movie) or movie clubs.

.... "Take the remote and press the "A-B" button, no only push it once. Once. No, now you have to hit it until it goes back to the regular tv show. Now, just push it once. Now, turn on the DVD player. No, the red light means it's "off". No, the red light means "off". Really. No, you've had it on "on" since I last visited then. Seriously. No, I'm not kidding. Ok. Push the power button til the red light goes bye-bye. Good. Now press "open". No not on the tv remote, the other remote. How should I know where you put the other remote? No, I'm not trying to be smart. Ok, you found it? Good. Push "open". No, it's alright if it says "open/close" it's the same button. Alright good. Put in the movie. Press close. It's on? Great!"

Two minutes later ...

... "What do you mean it's not working? (insert a lengthy and unintelligble answer here) ... "Oh. You're at the menu screen. Use the arrow keys to highlight "play". It doesn't highlight? Ok, is there a thingy, like a symbol or pointer beside the words? Alright, move the pointer thingy til it's beside the word "play". Hit enter. Good."

Welcome to my world and God Bless,
Lola

Snapdragon

2006-04-13T19:29:00.000-04:00

At work the other day a patient's brother and I had a brief exchange:

me: Hi, I'm (Lola). How are you today?

him: I'm a snapdragon.

me: (odd look)

him: A snapdragon.

me: Snapdragon?

him: Yep. I've got a bit of snap left in me but the rest is a draggin'

me: (howling with laughter)

It's not high comedy, but it had me rolling. I've been using it ever since. Then on the "a bit strange side of things", I had a dream than my grandmother was near death and they were calling for the next of kin. I was there already and it was up to me to pull the plug. Then I woke up, but not feeling particularly worried or upset, just a bit sad. Before I could get in touch with my grandmother my friend Shelby called to tell me that they'd had to put her beloved horse down. He was a beautiful 18 year old saddlebred show horse. Retired and pampered, he'd been having a lot of foundering (not sure exactly what that is) and had been nursed back to health at least twice only to get even sicker. I wondered if there was a connection and if my grandmother, who will be 96 next month, was okay. The same grandmother whom the doctor told not to drive anymore.

So I called her.

me: You sound good.

her: I'm just tired, I went to the store today by myself.

me: By yourself? How?

her: I dro----. NEVER YOU MIND!

me: (laughing)

her: Let's just say I didn't walk.

me: (laughing harder)

her: It's just around the corner.

me: (laughing even harder) You know you're not supposed to drive.

her: (no response)

me: Genie?

her: I love you.

me: Genie? You're not supposed to drive.

her: So, I talked to your brother last week .....

********

I have to contact my Uncle now. I feel like I'm a rat, but hey, I can't just let it slide. Really, I can't. Bad granddaughter.

Baby Bits

2006-04-10T18:42:00.000-04:00

Okay, let's play catch-up. I went out of town for the weekend to visit with my friends and their baby. I went on and auditioned for THE GLASS MENAGERIE and the question of whether or not to audition cuz of my schedule turned moot when I didn't get cast. I'd be more upset if the woman who got the role I wanted wasn't a friend and perfect for the part. Can't help but be a bit let down, I suppose, but it's all good. Easter is coming up fast and my cards are already out and mailed, and in some cases, already delivered. Still have to mail out my final Secret Pal 6 box though! I still have to pick up a few small things to put in that last box. Then I let her know who I am!

Now, a while back my friend April and I took baby Trey to have some Spring/Easter pictures taken with his cousins. Four children under 8 months! While there, I saw a framed set of pictures called "baby bits". What the photographer does is take several black and white photos of baby parts ... a foot, a hand, etc.

I thought .... I could do that! In the end both April and I were very pleased with the results and it's all framed and ready to hang. Here are some samples of bits of Trey (there were 12 in all, but here are a few):

And I've got to say, this was not a necessarily easy project. He moves out of shots, he moves too quickly to adjust focus after the picture has been snapped, etc. etc. Anyway, here is the shot that went in the center of all those "bits":

Later y'all! God Bless.
Lola

Kingdom Hearts II

2006-04-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, waiting for some things is OVAH! (that's "over" for those of you less excited than I am).

1. The hospital said "yes" for my PRN rate. BIG hurray!

2. Kingdom Hearts II is out and yes indeedy, I am playing and loving it! I hated to see Roxas go, love having everyone back, and YES ... Leon (aka Squall), Aerith, Yuffie, and the big M! I won't say who M is for possible spoilers, but yes, the b**h is back.

3. SEBASTIAN by Anne Bishop is turning in to a delicious read. It's still not the Black Jewel books, but I'm getting into it pretty well. Okay, I'm loving it so far although at first glance it looks a little straightforward, getting into it deeper it's getting twistier.

4. I have my departure date for my trip. May 30th! I can audition if I want to do so, only ... do I want to do so?

I've got to run, but more later! Ta and God Bless,
Lola

A waiting game

2006-03-27T18:26:00.000-05:00

First of all, here's to my mum's alma mater the Texas Longhorns. Sorry to see you bow out of the tourney, but you made a good run. And National Champs in Baseball and Football is beyond wonderful, the troika sweep would have been grand, but is not to be this year.

On that note, Dance on George Mason, Dance on ......

Right now folks, I'm in a waiting pattern. I'm waiting to hear from the hospital to see if they have agreed to bring up my PRN rate to the local average. I asked about a month ago and have heard nothing. I'm scheduled to work this weekend. If I don't hear soon, this will be my last weekend for them.

I'm waiting for DANSE MACABRE from Laurell K. Hamilton, I'm waiting for Jennifer Crusie's new book in April, and several others including Angela Knight. On the plus side, while visiting my mother I got to visit an ACTUAL bookstore (not the local Books a None we got here) and found that one of my fave authors has a new book out. It's called SEBASTIAN and it's by Anne Bishop who wrote the Black Jewel books from whence my blog got it's name. I wasn't pulled into her fey series, just couldn't get into it, but I'm going to try this new one ... yeah and yippee!

And I'm waiting to find out when my tour leaves for overseas. We were supposed to find out Sunday, but they say they'll let us know this week. It could be on the suggested day or four days prior or four days past that date. This is very important information. No, not for work ... Phffft. No, for THEATRE. The next show, THE GLASS MENAGERIE auditions the 4th and 5th and whether or not I can even audition depends on my travel dates!!!!!! If we leave as suggested or later, I'm cool. But three to four days prior, I can't do this show as those include a performance date.

Now, Tennessee Williams is not my favorite playwrite nor is this by any stretch a play I love or anything. But it is a very dramatic role and I wouldn't mind being a part of it all. I'd love to play Amanda, but who knows. I might not even get cast, which would make it all a moot point. I didn't get a role in THE WIZARD OF OZ, which might have been good considering all the extra time and late nights they put in (and all the kiddos backstage). Everyone I've spoken with who was in it loved it, but is totally exhausted. Maybe this means they won't audition for the next one and I'll have a better chance .... nah. There's a few others who weren't in this show either who will probably audition. I just need to know those dates!!!!

Oh, highly recommend the memoir called THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO: HOW MY MOTHER RAISED 10 KIDS ON 25 WORDS OR LESS. Lovely read and they made a movie of it as well, which was done well.

Gotta run! Later and God Bless,
Lola

From Margot

2006-03-21T17:51:00.000-05:00

My friend did this and I found it interesting. Please respond if you'd like.

Johari

Thanks!

My Secret Pal ROCKS!

2006-03-20T19:09:00.000-05:00

I came home today with a nagging little feeling that might or might not turn into a headache ... but there on my front porch was a package from my wondermous Secret Pal!

I don't know how my pal knows me so well, but she is simply fantastic. In the box was some of the most delicious yarn, so very soft and ready to be made into socks with a sure-fire first-timer sock-making pattern. There was chocolate eggs for Easter, but there was also some "funny milk candy" from Japan. How she found it in Ohio, I'm not really sure, but I'm so glad she did. The bag she sent the pressies in had an Asian theme that I adore. There was a note card I'm pretty sure was homemade, but so perfect. AND THERE WERE STICKERS for my trip abroad, London and Paris! And by no means least, there was a murder mystery ... a KNITTING murder mystery... "Needled to Death" by Maggie Sefton. Can't wait to read it!

And yes ... there are pictures!

Thank you Secret Pal! Lola is a very, very happy girl!

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may

2006-03-14T17:33:00.000-05:00

First of all, let me just shout out to J-Mac. You rock. If you don't know who J-Mac is, look him up. Seriously. Google J-Mac + basketball. Read it or watch it without a tear, if you can.

Today, when I got to work, my friend Sandra was not herself. Her neice's ex-husband had hung himself the previous night. He'd left a message on her machine while she had the ringer off and was watching a movie. They are all devestated, and yes there are children involved. Sandra and the rest of the family had remained friendly even after the divorce. They are pulling around, gathering together for strength and grieving.

A short time ago, a neighbor of my mother's lost her 18 year old granddaughter to viral pneumonia. The mother and son had not spoken in years and even though the son was divorced from his wife and children were in her custody, that silence extended to them as well. The neighbor would have nothing to do with her granddaughter. Then, after her death, at the funeral home, on one side of the hallway was one part of the family and on the other side gathered the other side. Neither son nor mother appeared to make any effort to comfort each other, or even speak.

I do not pretend to know what is really going on in either family or past dynamics between the family members. But I know to which family I'd prefer to belong.

All this means is to "gather ye rosebuds while ye may" and to treasure those around us, for I know I haven't known them long enough. I haven't known my grandmother, my mother, my sister, or any of my brothers long enough. I need more time. Lots more. This includes my stepfather, extended family members (yes even my Uncle John whom I've never met), extended-extended family members ("cousins" in Mexico and elsewhere I'm not even sure how we're related), and co-workers, friends, aquantances, and even those people at work who annoy me at times. I haven't had a chance to know them long enough. Not nearly. But we're not guaranteed any time.

My grandmother would often quote a poem I'd never fully heard nor read, and I would roll my eyes (inside at least). Today I looked it up. It's by Rober Herrick.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry

Great. I thought it would end my blog on a nice note to treasure each moment and person in your life because time is so fleeting.

INSTEAD ... I get a poem about young women getting MARRIED before they get too old. No WONDER granddmother quoted that line to me!!!!!!! I'm just glad my mother hasn't read it ....

grumble, grumble ... Later, Lola

The Safety Dance

2006-03-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm not dead yet. And that's only a slightly exaggerated comment. Sunday was bad. So bad I do not feel the need to go into details. Monday I worried I might have pneumonia. A neighbor of my mother's had just lost a teen-age granddaughter to viral pneumonia and my next door neighbor's daughter (who was staying with them) has pneumonia.

See, the thing is ... I rarely ever get sick. And when I do, it drops me. This had me down. But last night I slept better and with no fever after 7 p.m., I chanced going back to work today. I knew I'd be exhausted, and I was - but the good news is no fever. I'm on the road to recovery. yeah!

Here's the interesting part. I get stressed - I eat. I get mad - I eat. I get happy - I eat. Get the pattern? Well, when I get sick - I eat more (and usually the junky stuff). Not this time. For the first time in my entire life .... I lost my appetite. I have not had a meal since Saturday. I've snacked, very lightly despite my best efforts. I finally had a bowl of soup this afternoon, I don't know if you count that as a "meal", but I generally don't.

Which means (drumroll) ... I've lost 3 pounds. This normally would hearken me. Yeah 3 pounds and all that jazz. However, what I'm feeling is more like I was that sick and miserable and ALL I lost was a measely 3 pounds??????. Sad but true. I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth and all that, but sheeeez. In all actuallity, I'm just so glad to be recovering I'm happy that it was only 3 pounds. It could have been much worse.

Sooooo ... I was feeling better and driving home from work. I can climb into my jammies, curl up, try and eat, and go to bed waaay early. So I was happy, I was feeling better and ... and ... on the radio came the song from the 80's "The Safety Dance".

Now, I loooooved this song. I guess I still do. I played it over and over and over on the way home. (yes, I have a replay button on my Sirius radio, turn green with envy!) This is something that drove my brothers bonkers years ago, me playing the same song over and over again. But, hey - I was alone in the car, on a beautiful day, recovering from misery and 3 pounds lighter! "We can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind. Because they don't dance and if they don't dance then they're no friends of mine".

Alright. I'm off to lounge around and do nothing but recover. Wait, I take it back, I have a sudden urge to pull out my Adam Ant and Def Leopard CD's .....

Lola

Feverish

2006-03-05T10:54:00.000-05:00

Friday I went to a Mary Kay party for a friend, and started coughing a little. It hurt my throat and I thought it was the sudden temperature changes in the weather, hot, cold, hot, cold.

I had to work Saturday morning at the hospital. I still had the cough but wasn't having any other symptoms. After lunch, I started to feel really, really bad. I went to the nurse and had her take my temperature. Mine usually runs a wee bit lower than average. But the machine kept piling up the numbers 98.7, 98.9, 99.1, 99.5, and finally, 99.8.

Ouch. So, I'm not supposed to work with patients while running a temperature. I had the junior volunteer hand them the equipment while I supervisied from the far side of the room. All transfers were handled by the PTA. I called my supervisor over at the hospital and she had some Tylenol in her purse she let me have and then headed over to take over my remaining patients. Bless her, luckily there weren't many. I documented and left early. Before leaving I had my temperature retaken, 98.6. I guess I could have stayed, but why take the chance of infecting patients, some of whom really, REALLY, don't need to fight off anything else?

I'm home today, medicating and resting and drinking fluids. I really don't feel good at all. It could be a lot worse and I know that. But men aren't the only ones who turn whiney when they get sick. I'm waiting to see how I feel later tonight and in the morning before deciding whether or not to go into work. I'd hate to call in sick, really - I don't LIKE being sick and thankfully rarely am, but it may be necessary. Poor Carla. If I'm out that makes a bad day for her. It's just me and her in the OT department. We'll see.

Lola's down today, folks. Sorry 'bout that.

I've been miserable ever since.

Sing, Sing a Song

2006-03-02T00:02:00.000-05:00

My friend Mary and I both like music a lot. She is by far the better singer, since she's really good and I really, really suck at it. No, I'm not being down on myself, that's just the way it is. Lola can't sing.

We both watch American Idol. From there we differ greatly.

She liked Constantine. I didn't.
I loved Bo Bice. She didn't.

She (so far and on limited exposure due to her busy schedule), doesn't like Sway.
Neither do I.

She likes Ace. I think he's something of a pretty boy with an ok voice.
She hates Bucky.

Okay now ... what to say about Bucky. In my OPINION ... and I speak for no one else. Bucky is not the best to look at, he's rough, unpolished, and oh so very country. Not slick country, backwoods country. Not really my style of anything.

So why do I like him so much? I can't tell you. He has endeared himself to me and I really, really, do love the tone of his rough vocals. He's no pretty boy, that's for certain, but he's ... my underdog for this season. I like Bucky. Go figure.

However, Bucky isn't my choice as the top winner.

Chris Daughtery is ... fantastic. I like his voice, his style, and how he has presented himself and his family.

Last year I was all about the Southern Rocker. But ... stranger than strange, this year I might actually like country.

Country with an edge. Not Big and Rich (ugh). Country mixed with Incubus, Joe Cocker, and Lynard Skynard.

Bucky and Chris, you have my vote. Although ....there is Taylor, who is as blusey as they come. As for the girls, it's Mandissa and Kelly. Paris is falling a bit behind.

The Highs, The Lows, and the Plainly Odd

2006-02-27T18:15:00.000-05:00

The Plainly Odd: I thought I was done with the whole "My name is Lola" stuff. Haven't heard the Kink's play "Lola" at all. The Copacabana song is (thankfully!) gone from my mind, no more humming it at odd moments. Then today, I heard the Kinks sing "Destroyer". First line "I met a girl called Lola".

Guess what, I guess I'm still Lola.

The Highs: Watching the mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan, accept the Olympic flag at the end of the Winter Games. Why? The man is a quadraplegic and has been since a skiing accident at age 19. His quote?

"Some have questioned the wisdom of Vancouver sending its worst skiier to Torino."

Gotta love a guy with class. He was told it might be wise to allow someone else (read an ABLEBODIED someone else) handle the flag for him. He refused, having a custom made piece placed on his motorized wheelchair to hold the flag and then after receiving it, turning tight circles (with limited upperbody mobility to guide the chair) to make the flag wave properly. He said:

"The worst case scenario - the flag blows in my face and I fall off the edge of the stage."

Definately a high point.

Another High: Saw THE CONSTANT GARDENER last evening. Fantastic movie, and no, I had not read the book. Well done and well protrayed all the way around. I applaud heartily the acting of Ralph Fiennes, as always. But I have to hold my breath (and turn blue) for the brilliant versatility of .... Bill Nighy. This actor has made me roll with laughter LOVE ACTUALLY and shiver with fear UNDERWORLD among many, many, MANY roles. I won't tell you his character in this film, I won't be giving any plot comments, because, well ... that would be just plain low.

As for another LOW:

The night commuters of Uganda. I had read some on CNN about these children and their plight and fears (very real fears). My heart broke for them, marching every night to town and safety from their home villages to avoid being kidnapped and tortured, raped, and things I won't even mention here (but go search for yourself if you will). Then, in watching THE CONSTANT GARDNER, which is set in Kenya there was a scene from the Sudan that showed a raid and children being taken. I can tell you, it wrenches the heart terribly to know that this is going on in the world we all live in.

I have some guilt. I live comfortably. Not rich and not even middle-class really, but nicely comfortable. Some months are better than others at bill paying. I worry about crime in the area at times. But nothing like these children face daily in their reality. In the movie, one of the lines really helped me - and forgive me for paraphrasing but basically ... you may not be able to help everyone, the problem is too big for that, but if you can help just ONE - that is a big difference, far bigger than you or I can ever realize.

I may not have a lot, but if I find a way (and there are THOUSANDS of ways both big and small), then I will have made a difference. I won't extoll anyone else to do the same, but .... okay, yes I will. If you can help someone in need, anyone, no matter how big or small, it will make a difference.

Lola

L-O-L-A Lola, lo-lo-lo-lo Lola

2006-02-23T18:39:00.000-05:00

Okay, I am still on the Lola kick. Why? Because on Wednesday night I was watching AMERICAN IDOL and there was this male contestant who sang Barry Manilow's song about Lola and the Copacabana.

I don't think I would have minded being hounded by this name if he hadn't sung the song so awfully. He sucked. Absolutely awful. I just wanted to whimper.

P.S. I don't have yellow feathers in my hair, but I might be able to come up with a low cut outfit or two. And though I never was a show girl per se, I have been on stage many a time.

Weirdness abounds

Lola

Whatever Lola Wants

2006-02-20T18:36:00.000-05:00

Hi, my name is now Lola.

As some know, and as some are about to learn, I am an Occupational Therapy Assistant. I sometimes work PRN (extra) at a local nursing home. There is this sweet little woman there that I met today. She is 103 years old and she grabbed my hands and wouldn't let go. Apparently she knows my mama and my grandmama and I am so beautiful, and have a lovely name, and my grandmama put up with a "drinking man" but did what she had to do and raised a lovely family.

Do I have to explain that this little farming community woman has never met my mother or grandmother and my name is not Lola? But we had a lovely time chatting and she is truly a sweet, wonderful little woman.

So as far as I am concerned, you may now call me Lola.

By the way, when I got in the car and turned on the Broadway station on my radio the song that came on was Gwen Verndon singing "Whatever Lola Wants" from the DAMN YANKEES show. And no, I wasn't cursing, that's the name of the show.

Ta for now, God Bless,

Lola

Ode to Ken, Billie Joe, and Henry Gale

2006-02-15T22:52:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the new look of the Ken doll???? It's Billie Joe from Green Day minus eye make-up but plus a man-purse. Check it out .... Here's the new Ken although you have to scroll down an iota. And here is Billie Joe!

That's just too plain weird.

Oh. And .... did anyone catch the name of the STRANGER on "LOST" tonight???? Henry Gale. Henry Gale from Minnisota in a HOT AIR BALLOON. Can we count the references to THE WIZARD OF OZ?????

1. Henry Gale is the name of Dorothy's Uncle. Uncle Henry. Dorothy Gale.

2. Hot air balloon being flown off course and crashing. Hello? Wizard anyone?

3. And this has nothing to do with Oz ... BUT - the American soldier in the back of the vehicle with Sayid had a picture of his daughter. IT WAS KATE. That was her military "dad" ... the one she later went to visit in the recruiting office.

Lions and Tigers and Polar Bears, oh my!

Olympic Thoughts

2006-02-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

I know I love watching the Olympics. I'm cool with being an Olympic geek. What I hate is going into work and NO ONE watched the night before. When I tried to relate my deep respect for the little Chinese figure skater who was so brave to finish the event after falling during a quad attempt, when I was told "I don't care".

Flat out. "I don't care." No humoring me, no listening politely. I was kinda shocked to tell the truth. My best friends don't watch and could care less as well. I didn't realize how lonely that made me feel til I drove over to my mother's home in Greenville (for her birthday dinner). I walked in to find my mom and step-dad watching curling (Japanese and USA women). They HAD watched last night and felt the same way I did about it all. Then my step-brother and his wife came over briefly and acknowledged that they watched as well.

To all you Olympic not-carers .... boooooo.

I know and accept you have your own feelings and if you don't care to watch, fine. But I can't help but feel that you are missing out on something. "Something" that I can't quite definre ... it's not really a feeling of world closeness or peace, but it has elements of that. It's not really pride in your team, or an underdog, but those have elements in there as well. I really can't describe how ... NICE it is to watch people give their very all despite hardship, financial ruin, and out and out pain simply to show their best to the whole world.

BTW ... congrats to Joey Cheek of Greensboro, NC on his gold medal victory in speed skating.

Ta

I lurve my SP!

2006-02-13T18:36:00.000-05:00

Hello there!

Just returned from a weekend with friends, including a party for my friend Dana who just retired from the Air Force. And just an added note ... I met Dana and his wife and children a few years ago through mutual friends. We were all shocked to learn that though we all live in NC, Dana and I attended rival high schools in the same town in Missouri, and only graduated two years apart! He's older btw. :) How small a world is it?

But, just to continue, when I got home there was a box on my doorstep from my Secret Pal 6 who is quickly moving into LEGENDARY status. She sent me chocolate fortune cookies, three bags of different flavor hot cocoa mixes, a book by J.D. Robb that I didn't have yet ... and .... AND .... Knit Picks "Shimmer" (70% baby alpaca, 30% silk) in this absolutely GORGEOUS colorway and it's sooooo soft! She also decided to challenge me, sending along a lace pattern called "Elizabeth I". I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! Thank you Secret Pal of Legend!

Oh yes, and there was a card. With a frog. I collect frogs, but don't tell people so much as I'm picky about my frogs. She nailed it. It's adorable! And here was the inside poem:

"May your frogging days be over.
May you never drop a stitch.
May you have your fill of fiber.
May it never make you itch."

Now, how perfect was that? And hereeeeeeee are the pictures!

Oh, and the back of the card reads "The Pickle Factory". Any possible relation to Miss Pickle? I wonder .....................

And just for fun, here is a picture of Dana's medal display and retirement cake:

Oh, and I'm a certified Olympic-aholic. Sports I never watch I can't get enough of every 4 years. Gotta run ... Team USA is facing off against Finland in curling ....

I am NOT kidding.

Last package

2006-02-09T19:15:00.000-05:00

I got home last night to a lovely surprise, the final box from my secret pal from round 5 - who happened to be the wonderful cmTigger!

I would have posted these last night, but I was very sick. Really sick. Ucky sick. Happily, I feel much better today, although it was a bit questionable around 2:30 or so.

Anyway, back to the NICE things in life. Here are some pictures of the box from cmTigger. There's some bath gel and note cards that are soooo cute! There was also some chocolate ... which is no longer quite as intact as when it arrived. And there was some Romney wool plyed with an unknown fiber that is quite lovely and a ball of Angelina Sparkles that is making my eyes sparkle with ideas for what it wants to become!

Here goes:

and:

Later y'all .... and just a word about PROJECT RUNWAY. Sorry to see Nick go, but that outfit was not so good. Did NOT like the jumpsuit. At all.

Just a Little Valentine Nosh

2006-02-07T06:59:00.000-05:00

Alrighty then!

My new Secret Pal has already begun the spoilage. I came home to a delicious (literally) surprise!

See? Just a delicious surprise that put a smile on my face and a bounce in my step. Secret Pal? You rock.

Ta!

Tagged!

2006-02-03T21:15:00.000-05:00

I've been Tagged by mtwelovett!

4 jobs you have had:
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Personal Assistant to an actress/international speaker/author
Answering Service telephone operator

4 movies you could watch over and over:
13th Warrior
The 5th Element
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Big Trouble

4 TV shows you love to watch:
Lost
Project Runway
House
Bones

4 places you have been on vacation:
Galveston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Myrtle Beach, SC
Outer Banks, NC

4 websites you visit daily:
Television Without Pity
Waiterrant.net
CNN
Yahoo Games

4 of your favorite foods:
Ice Cream
Crab Rangoon
Spring/Egg rolls
Pizza

4 places you'd rather be right now:
Visiting friends
London
Tokyo
Australia

4 places you've lived
Conroe, TX
Springfield, MO
Houston, TX
Greenville, NC

4 bloggers you are tagging:

(ouch, mtwelovett tagged the ones I know too!)
uhm,

linzknits
monkeemaven
shonze

Kyo Rocks!

2006-01-30T23:42:00.000-05:00

Alright. For those who may not be aware, I have entered into Knitty's new secret pal round (#6). I can not speak of my downstream pal, cuz well, I don't want her to know who I am until the very end.

Now a few words about my upstream pal. I LOVE HER! I have no clue who she is, but she chose Kyo as her avatar and is already teasing me with asian themed e-cards and the like. If this is an indication of things to come, I may implode with curiousity before the end of the round!

On another note, I'm trying something new - I used soy flour (and 1/2 a cup of regular flour) in my bread machine. I used the whole wheat setting - why that setting you may ask? Why not? I wasn't sure and made a guess. It's cooling now. It didn't rise real high, but I expected that. I'm hoping it's good. There's no sugar per se, but I used honey and molasses instead. I have NO unearthly idea how this will turn out.

Unearthly? Hmmm, must be a theme. I watched WAR OF THE WORLDS tonight. Cool. Not too shabby. Still not a big Cruise fan, especially recently, but not bad. Not great either, but not a waste of time.

I meant to come home and clean my house from top to bottom today. Well, I scrubbed the bathroom sink, washed dishes, washed sheets, boiled some eggs, and ... uhm ... and chatted with my landlord. There are simply NO short conversations with Chuck. He's a great guy and I absolutely love him and his wife. But there is a time/space anomaly that happens every time he/she/or both and I have any kind of conversation. It just takes way too long. That's no excuse though, I had plenty of time. But I no longer felt the urge to clean. Hey, at least the kitchen's clean and fresh bread awaits - if it's any good.

Anyway, my secret pal rocks and I am so excited. On the other side of that, I've been shopping for my downstream pal and I'm very excited about some of the things I have planned. Can't wait to give or receive.

Ta and God Bless!

What's Your Alibi?

2006-01-29T20:00:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all,

Just back from my weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We bought 3 powerball tickets and hopes are low of becoming instant millionaires, but we live in a hopeful world.

We went SHOPPING. Hit the flea market and the outlets. I have to total up the damage and am not looking forward to that, but had loads of fun. Did find a present for my mother. Pictures to be posted after she opens it, just in case!

Jean, Sandra and I went to the House of Blues for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. We were in a large dining room with about 115-130 people and we were told to TRUST NO ONE. Then clues were revealed, scenes performed, people dying and during dessert we were asked to write down who, what, where, when and how. The winner would be announced shortly.

I won! I thought it rather obvious, but it apparently wasn't. The girl across from me got the killer's right, but didn't write down the motives. I guess I wrote down a more "complete" answer with details. Hey, sue me.

I won a mug with candy and a Murder Mystery Party game:

and for an added bonus, here is Trey from last weekend!

Just got back into town and found a message from my Knitty secret pal (6). She's using Kyo as an avatar? Does she know me??????? I can't tell you a THING about my downstream pal, cuz, well .... it's a secret! Have already started shopping though!

Later y'all

Pickler Paris! (or, "Finally a Paris I like!")

2006-01-25T18:02:00.000-05:00

American Idol recap:

Kelly Pickler is adorable and her only problem may be too close a resemblence to Carrie Underwood. I like this girl. Pick Pickler ... heh.

Kendra and Halecia, cute girls with nice voices. We'll see.

Paris Bennett. Girl. DUMP AMERICAN IDOL AND GET A CONTRACT THIS VERY SECOND!!! You serioursly, seriously do NOT need this show. This girl sang the Dixie Chicks and Billie Holiday and made it work! You are a ready for prime time player and with your connections (hello, three time winning Grammy Grammy??? - Grandma, get her in touch with the right people).

Pickler and Paris, you both are cute as buttons and have my votes so far.

Katchup, or "catching up"

2006-01-24T17:51:00.000-05:00

Hi! I've been out of touch for a week. Out of town for a memorial service and funeral mass for Pat. Stayed with the family and just did little things to help out where I could. I was a bit hesitant to stay, but the family really made me feel welcome and that just by being there I was helping. The memorial service and funeral mass were very nice indeed, although I choked up when they wheeled Pat out for the last time. The other time it really hit me, I was standing in Pat's kitchen and I suddenly missed her like no one's business. That was HER kitchen and her arena. That kitchen was one of the defining models for her role in life. There is an O.T. theory called "Model of Human Occupation", or MOHO. It states that subconsciously we all define ourselves by our "roles" in life. Those roles can include, but are not limited to, things like: student, daughter, son, mother, father, brother, teacher, caregiver, care-receiver, bread-winner, etc. If any of those roles suddenly change we are faced with the stress of having to re-define ourselves for the loss and/or addition of roles.

Even good changes can be stressful - weddings, births, graduations, etc. The harsher changes have grief added on top of all that.

I'm back at home now. Little at a loss since this weekend I'm going away on a previously planned "girl's weekend" out in Myrtle Beach. We're going shopping, eating, shopping, and shopping. We're also going to see the Murder Mystery Theatre. Oh, and did I mention ... shopping? We're going to the flea market as well. I may come home with nothing or lots of stuff, but it doesn't matter. It's all about the girls getting away and having fun.

Gotta run now, going out to eat with some friends.
Later!
God Bless

...on Mothers

2006-01-18T18:19:00.000-05:00

Last eve, during American Idol, I received a phone call. Within a few minutes I was out the door and on my way to another town an hour away. My good friend's mother had had a heart attack and was most likely not going to survive. She did not.

Pat was a mother and a wife. You know, the old-fashioned kind that worked in the home. She raised a tightly-knit family. She worked at her son's store when it was necessary, she worked on many different projects as needed. But she was a homemaker. She made that home. What higher praise could there be? My last visit with her was this last Sunday night after a family dinner (in which I was always welcome). She kissed me goodnight and told me to drive safely. I like that being the last moment with her. It suits her and her life and all she stood for.

Pat had died thirty years ago. Heart attack and death, shocked back to life. They shocked her poor heart far beyond what was considered normal. Her doctor refused to let her go. She was shocked so much her chest was burned. But she came back. She wasn't supposed to live out the year. She lived thirty more years. She lived on 2/3 rds or less of her damaged heart and battled congestive heart failure the entire time. Her family watched her like hawks and treasured her. Pat, for her part, refused to be coddled and cooked, cleaned, worried, worked, raised two children and ran the household, finally getting to hold her first (and thus far) only grandchild.

She passed last evening and everyone she knew mourns her loss. But perhaps even more special, they celebrate the miracle of thirty years. That's 10,950 more days that were cherished by her family.

I personally only knew her for the past 9 years. And am grateful for every last one of them.

Perhaps that should be the lesson. My mother irritates me. She nags and loves and nags some more. Perhaps since I have not had that close brush with losing her I have not treasured her as I ought. I love my mother and am grateful for each and every day that she is around to bug me about being unmarried. Really.

Pat, you were and are ... loved.

... in Death

2006-01-17T18:01:00.000-05:00

Okay. See, I was innocently minding my own business at work one day while my boss cleaned out a shelf in her office. She tosses out a book and asks if anyone wanted to read it. Now, I love to read and I recognize the name of the author, J.D. Robb as being a pen name for Nora Roberts. I don't read a lot of Roberts, I don't love everything she's ever written but I had read the first book of her mystery series with the detective Eve Dallas and this was that same book. I had petered out of the series a couple of books into it and didn't want to pick it up again. But, what the heck. I picked it up ... and got hooked.

I have now read:

Naked in Death
Glory in Death
Immortal in Death
Rapture in Death
Ceremony in Death
Vengeance in Death
Holiday in Death
Midnight in Death
Conspiracy in Death
Loyalty in Death
Witness in Death
Judgement in Death

and am working on Betrayal in Death and am upset because the local Books A Million doesn't have Seduction in Death on the shelf. I could order it, but I feel like a junkie ... I DON'T WANNA WAIT! See, there's this secondary storyline with Peabody and McNab that took an interesting turn and ..... and it looks like I will be hitting the local library tomorrow.

Geek. That's me.

And to prove it? I'm currently playing my best friend's xbox game FABLES. And am trying to find time to watch the full set of Ninja Scrolls.

Total Geek. But since I revel in my geek-dom, it's all good.

American Idol starts tonight. Not sure I'm watching this season. Maybe. Survivor is starting in February. Not sure about that one either. I'll at least watch the first episode to see if I might like them.

Haven't knit much lately and that bums me. Horrible audition for "The Wizard of Oz" and didn't get cast. Not so bummed about that. Maybe a little, but not much. My friend Mary made it though (Cat, Michael, Sandy, Beep, Jim, Steve and Shannon also made it). There wasn't really a part for me in the show. I am not a singer. At all. Really. I'm just waiting for the next few shows. We'll see. I did get to play Lenny in "Crimes of the Heart" and it wasn't a minor role, so I got no room to be bummed. But it would have been fun being in the show with my friends. I guess that's what I'll miss the most. Might try and do some tech work. We'll see.

Later y'all
God Bless

Another Manic Monday

2006-01-09T18:38:00.000-05:00

If you don't recognize the lyric above, tough. I was watching PROJECT RUNWAY the other night and someone said to Diana that her dress looked like Stevie Nicks, and Diana asked ... wait for it ... "What's a Stevie Nick?".

Moment of silence please. Thank you.

Now onto my pictures for the day. The first is of me.

The first three (of the eventual 5) children each had a Christmas ornament that looked like them. This was mine. Nicknamed "Lucy" for Lucy Van Pelt of Peanut's fame. Not because I looked like her so much, but acted like her. In case you are wondering, it was not necessarily a compliment. But I take a perverse pride in it all even after all these years. Too many years now ... who is Stevie Nicks, my @$$.

Now this picture is of some of my collection of figures. These are from Final Fantasy X and I post them now in anticipation of the new FF game coming out soon!

Distressing news from a friend from my old job. I won't give details, they are not mine to share. But someone I worked with for many years is grieving. Now death is a part of life, but life taken senselessly through the actions of another, however accidently is never easy. If you feel like praying without details, my co-worker will appreciate it and God knows to whom all prayers are directed.

Later y'all

Heir-brained

2006-01-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

Ok. I'm home sick with a cold. Channel surfing. There's a show - "Paris' Most Shocking", like a countdown about ... you know, the annoying blonde Hilton sister.

Now. Consider that I watch PROJECT RUNWAY and their most recent challenge was to make a party dress for Nicky Hilton. In the one show that I saw Nicky, she was so much less irritating than her sister.

I'm tired of Paris Hilton. The only Paris I want to know anything more about is the city in France (which I will be visiting in a few short months - for the first time).

I was watching the show, counting down Paris moments and grumbling to myself how did someone with absolutely no talent or credentials become so fascinating to people? That's when I realized that my grumbling and watching her was ENABLING THAT VERY THING! T.V. off. No more, please. Really.

That said, the recent PR show featuring Nicky Hilton - well, the focus wasn't so much on the girl but the fashion designers. It's a fine line, but since I am the decider of where that line is drawn, then I claim "fair ball!"

PROJECT RUNWAY

I still miss Daniel Franco!

Okay. Santino's dress was nice, but I agreed with Heidi - to short waisted. Chloe's was just not me (admittedly they weren't designing for me though). Nick's had a very cute back, but I didn't like the front as much.

Guadelupe and Marla - cut them both. That sucked.

Zulema - ???????????? Yuck. The bodice was kind of cool, but other than that. No.

Emmett - well, personally - I LOVED THIS DRESS. Loved the fabric and design.
Kara - Ditto (see above comments on Emmett's dress). Girl, that was cute!

Andre - I wanted to hate it, but I didn't. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I just don't like you much.

Diana - Uhm, better luck next time.

Daniel V. - I didn't think you should have won the team lingerie challenge. But in this challenge, you rocked.

Later y'all and God Bless

Gee Whiz

2006-01-04T18:22:00.000-05:00

Gee Whiz, it's been a long week. First off, Happy New Years! I spent the holiday with my good friends April and Eddie and their 3 month old son. Great time was had by all, but I was the only one awake at midnight. Not that I cared, I had my nose buried in a book at the time. Party animal, that's me!

Unfortunately, everyone at their house was sick. Now I am beating back the dreaded cold. I've had my flu shot and I really, really do not feel that badly. I'm hoping this gets no worse. And yes, I'm drugged (legally) to the gills.

Then, on New Years day, I get a message that my 95 year old grandmother has been hospitalized for a cardiac "incident". I'm told by my brother, D, that our aunt sent out an e-mail but he'd called mother to let her know since she's not in on the e-mail loop. Mom tells him to call me since I'm out of town and probably haven't heard. This upsets me a little bit. D called me, but did not bother to call Suzy, C, or M - (our siblings). Suz and C don't have e-mail at home, only through work and remember - this is a holiday and a Sunday. M works long hours and who knows how often he checks the computer? I called them. C and S did not know and M returned my message as soon as he got home and he had not heard either. I came home later and found I DIDN'T EVEN GET THE E-MAIL.

Petty rant, but there it is.

To tell on myself, I forgot to call our cousin Trish. But she did get the message from my aunt, so it did all work out in the end.

I spoke with my grandmother and she had heard from everyone and was soooo pleased! It just made her so happy. She's a bit upset the doctor told her she can't drive anymore. We're all relieved about that actually. She's went home yesterday and is doing well, thank God.

A different incident shook me a bit recently. We had a new employee I shall call "Marianne" which is so not her name. I use the word "had" and a false name because, well, she was escorted off the premises the other day. Failed drug test. Now, I happened to like this girl and turns out I have worked with her mother in the past. I have great respect for her mother (and liked her Dad a lot) although I haven't seen her since I left that job to finish my fieldwork for my degree. I hate this. Not only did she lose her job, but this is now reported (by law) to the governing board of our licensure (occupational therapy assisting).

I'm sorry and appalled at the same time. Why? Why jeapardize everything for ... what???? I'm sorry. I'm one of the annoying that has never smoked cigarettes. I've tried marijuana in the past (long past) but didn't get real excited about it. We are in a field that drug tests are random and serious. Health care. Direct patient care. Duh.

What you do on your own time is your own business. But don't bring it to work. Now I'm left without any PRN help right now and while the caseload is low that's ok, but it never stays this way. We interviewed a new girl today. New grad. Oh boy (insert sarcasm here). It should be a rule that all new grads should start in the hospital system and then go elsewhere if they so choose. That's what I did. I learned more in a few months in that setting than I ever did in school. They tell you straight up that when you graduate with our degree you may have the title of a therapist but what you have actually acquired is only the basic knowledge from which you will learn how to do your job ONLY ONCE YOU START WORK.

Maybe she'll be great. But there is so much more to learn and experience in a wider hospital setting than there is in a narrower specialized field like long-term care.

That's not everyone's opinion. Just mine and every OTR and COTA I have ever worked with or gone to school with. Admittedly it's a narrow sampling, oh well.

REVIEWS!

Only MY opinions follow:

Kung Fu Hustle: Loved it! Funny, very funny! Yes they use special effects and wires (unlike Ong Bak), but it works and is not formulaic (unlike Ong Bak).

Sky High: I can see why Marvel wanted to block this movie. Straight rip-off of many Marvel and D.C. characters. Especially note - dude wall climbing i.e. Spidey. HOWEVER - loved it! Funny and charming. Rip-off it may be, but it was lovingly done.

Grave Sight: This is a book review, not a movie. This is a new book by a favorite author - Charlaine Harris. This is outside of her Southern Vampire and Aurora/Lily mysteries. I admit, I was a bit miffed that she had taken time away from these three lovely series to write another one. I was wrong. LOVED IT! No spoilers, but seriously - check it out! It's paranormal mystery - but no vampires or werewolves or anything like that. BTW - I like this author (although she makes me nervous) because she is not afraid to shake up the status quo in a series - she has been known to kill off major characters.

Anyway, rants and raves are over.
Good Night and God Bless

She Keeps Moving!

2005-12-28T23:13:00.000-05:00

Alright already! I've been trying to take some decent pics of my cat, Chavela. But she doesn't lounge or lay, she is a being of constant motion. I try to take her picture and end up with a fuzzy blur as she leaves the frame. I try to take one where I think she will be by the time the picture snaps, and she turns the other way. I wonder what her Jellicle name would be? Phizzy the cat of Constant Motion? (for physics).

Today, success!

And just cuz, here's a picture of my brother's best side from Christmas:

Later y'all and God bless!

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-26T18:02:00.000-05:00

And no, I don't mean happy holidays although I sincerely wish those upon everyone as well. For those who don't celebrate Christmas, I do not mean to offend in any way or shape, but I do celebrate this particular holiday and so I send out my warmest wishes. Please take it in the manner it is meant, and not a political statement.

Now: I have pictures! Here is the "Rockstar" scarf from the Knitty archives. This was for my sister-in-law, for whom I had not made anything knitted before (although there was a crocheted afghan in her school colors). Here it is "on the needles" and then modelled by my darling mother ....

And here is one for my other sister-in-law, Rene! I'm posting it here so she can look at it and let me know what she thinks of the colors and if she has any different preferences. She lives in Texas with my brother and I'm not real clear on what colors are best.

And while I don't have pictures of the afghan I crocheted for Bill and Cynthia, here is a former effort for my parents:

Christmas was so wonderful. We gathered at my Mom and Step-Dad's and ate like kings. It was a lot of fun, but there was a lot of family missing. Most of the others gathered with my Grandmother down in Houston (we sure missed you all!) Mike and Rene celebrated together and we missed you both as well.

Am too tired to go on much longer, it's been a loooong weekend. But fun!

God Bless

Noooooooo! (or alternate title "I Detest Santino")

2005-12-21T23:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Daniel Franco:

Your designs for tonight's PROJECT RUNWAY were the best and most polished, to me at least. I guess I'm in the age group that you were designing for and I "got it". Santino's designs, I wouldn't even use to wipe my butt (actually, that thought is rather scary after seeing all the trim he added).

And can we just say? Santino and Nick. After making fun of Marla's trimming on her last outfit how DARE you go and do even MORE on this set of hideous designs.

Wrong person booted. Bad. Very Bad.

On the other hand. Daniel, your integrity with regards to your team mates ... man you couldn't have shown a better face to the world.

God Bless

The Princess and The Pea

2005-12-18T20:28:00.000-05:00

I adore Carol Burnett and Tracy Ullman. "The Princess and the Pea" is not my favorite musical, but who can possibly not love Ullman belting out "Shy", singing how she's so shy with all the power of a dozen rock and roll frontmen.

Gotta love it!

Christmas Gifts

2005-12-17T17:35:00.000-05:00

I sooooo want to post pictures of some of the Christmas gifts I've put together for friends and family. A knitted item, two depending on fast I can get them done. A few pictures framed. I've taken pix and they look pretty good. PROBLEM???? I don't want to spoil the surprise!

It's unlikely, but still possible that the giftees might check out this site. So, cautious I shall be. Pictures to come though, I promise.

Now, that doesn't mean I can't post this cute little picture of my landlord playing with my attack cat ...

Actually, the gloves were for the yardwork, but it does make Chavela look more ferocious!

Now this one is not my toy, but my friend's. I wish it were mine .... oh, Kyo.

And, of course, there is STEWIE!

Later! God Bless

Shout out to Daniel Franco

2005-12-16T17:49:00.000-05:00

Okay, it was quite juvenile, but I confess. I sent a message to Daniel Franco of PROJECT RUNWAY. And I want to squeal like a little girl cuz he responded! Not that I have a crush or am a groupie, but simply that he was nice enough to respond to a random note from a stranger.

My note? I just mentioned that I had not been a fan of his last season, but his designs thus far had converted my opinion of him. I wished him luck.

See? Simple. Silly. And yet he was very gracious to respond and thanked me for my warm wishes.

Still not sure if he's my favorite designer, but thus far he's my favorite person on the show. (see Santino's attitude, er not to mention Kara and Zulema).

GO DANIEL!

Muay Thai

2005-12-11T22:35:00.000-05:00

Hmmm. Just finished watching the movie ONG BAK. This was an action movie without stunt doubles, without CGI, and without wire-work. The movie was gorgeous, if a bit predictable. But there was one thing ... just one thing ... and I HAVE TO FIND OUT!

The hero, Ting, was practicing his muay thai moves at the beginning (you know, where the master warns him never to use what he's been taught, yada yada). He names the moves.

And one movement had a name: "The Fall of Hera".

The fall of HERA??????? Hera was a greek mythological goddess. GREEK I tell you, not Thai. I know some history, pretty good with some of it. I can geek it out with some since I actually had 3 state titles in Greek and Roman mythology in highschool, and tied for 2nd one year. It's been a while since high school (we won't go into that), but I don't recall any stories of the Greeks and Thai peoples mixing.

Now, it could be a complete coincidence and the names are the same, that's all. But a cursory look on-line did not bring up any references to HERA and Thailand except for this move.

This is going to drive me batty!

If you know of anything about this subject, please, please PLEASE let me know!!!!

Apologies and Changes

2005-12-08T22:28:00.000-05:00

BIG apologies are owed to my friends and family. When I went to the memorial service I wrote about in the last blog entry, I had turned my cell phone to "silent" mode. And I didn't think about it again. Ooooo! I missed so many messages. On one hand, it was a quiet two days and I was able to get some things done. On the other hand, I worried several people all of whom couldn't reach me. My deepest apologies.

This weekend I am going to the dedication service of my friend's new baby. The same friend who just lost her aunt and mother. Emotional weekend. Anyway, I long ago promised pictures of the new baby and here goes:

Okay, Okay, the last one is not of Trey. But Calli-girl rules! And Trey is jealous of the cat. When the cat laid down on April's chest the baby (who had been perfectly happy) poked out his bottom lip and pouted, then howled. Isn't the cat supposed to be the jealous one????

Oh, and as for the changes mentioned in the title of this entry. PROJECT RUNWAY has begun Season 2! And back for this season is the guy who was voted off first last season. Balls baby. I didn't like him last time, blissed out and arrogant in a blissed way. Howeeeeever. This time in the second challenge he created a dress that I would have loved to have won the challenge. In fact, on the Bravotv.com poll, his design is actually more popular than the winner's effort (which I liked very much as well). Go Daniel Franco. You dropped the "bliss" comments and upped the ante on your designs. Keep going!

BTW, Santino is extremely talented. Also extremely arrogant. And did anyone see Chloe's face after she won the second challenge and he walked by saying something like "they just didn't want to give me the win two times in a row". Yeah right. Sour grapes dude.

Later y'all! God Bless

Mixed Feelings

2005-12-06T17:59:00.000-05:00

I have mixed feelings right now. Last night I attended the memorial service of a woman I loved and respected, my "aunt" Bonnie. Bonnie never knew a stranger and was a wonder of generousity. I'm not talking monetarily though. Bonnie had the most generous spirit I have ever met out side of fiction. She was also Beverly's sister. For those who may not recall, Bev was my best friend's mother who passed away suddenly less than 4 months ago. Bonnie also went suddenly and unexpectedly. The family and extended family are reeling, less than 2 weeks following the birth of her second grandchild (her daughter's first).

And as sad as all this is, my feelings are mixed since I know her to be safe and in a better place. No, it's not a cliche. To Bonnie it was reality itself. She was so loving and full of faith that it's hard to feel sad for too long. I miss her though.

Before all this happened, I was at home visiting with my mom and step-dad. Putting up the Christmas decorations:

My step-dad tends to get ... over-zealous at times? He once had a nice inflatible Santa and it got stolen. He called the cops. They asked him to describe his missing property. He barked out, "It's Santa!" And they asked if there were any discriminating features. At that point I was rolling on the floor in laughter. Soooo. He went out and got nearly double the size for his "new" Santa. It didn't get stolen. Instead someone mean threw condiment packages all over him and ripped him. Poor Santa has been stitched so many times he might as well be Frankenstein. But, he's up for 2005! It was a struggle and at times there were moments of despair wherein Santa nearly went in the trash, but he made it through! We'll see if he lasts the season ....

Now. I have many good qualities, but great housekeeping is not one of them. After two years in my little home I decided it needed a thorough cleaning and hired someone to do a real good job. She was someone I knew through work who did extra housecleaning on the side. She was reasonably priced (almost too much so) and did an extraordinary job. But ....

I collect action figures. You know TOYS. And she gamely cleaned them and treated them gently. However, it wasn't until later that I realized that something just wasn't quite ... right. Here is how I found poor Selphie from FFVIII:

and this is how she is supposed to be seen:

The nunchakus (the weapon) are so not supposed to be hanging from the poor girl's throat! Actually the fighting stance isn't quite right either, but they won't stay in her hands in any other position, ah well.

Later y'all and God Bless

Judd, grow up!

2005-12-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

Just watched SURVIVOR. Judd made a speech on how it is a game of voting people off and he refuses to apologize for wanting someone to go home. He was voting for Lydia. But he was voted off instead.

He then called them all scumbags.

Grow up Judd and listen to your own speech!

Lovely.

Shout out to Scott!

2005-11-30T18:58:00.000-05:00

There are pictures today! With warm wishes and very heartfelt thank you to Scott from the Knitty web site.

When I got home last night there was a note from the post office saying I had a parcel!!! Wooo! I rushed over there at the moment they opened (late for work, bah! No biggie!) to get my extra special Secret Pal 5 box! And finally, drum roll please ... a picture!

Isn't the yarn yummy looking? I already am tempted to put aside what is currently on my needles to play with it. Oh bad yarn, tempting me that way! There was also body butter, a slinky junior, and some oddly shapped foot candy in a "hot dog" bun. I can't wait to try it out! Oh and a fuzzy pink pen, which is funny cuz when I saw it I had to do a double take since I had mailed something similar to MY secret pal!

And since I can now post pictures, here are some LONG DELAYED (and I'm sorry for that) pictures of part of her first box. Some things are missing from the pic, but I loved it all anyway!

And just cuz I now can, here is a picture from the farm house where I ate lots, and lots, and lots of turkey on Thanksgiving.

Have a good night y'all, and more pictures to follow!

Murderball is coming!

2005-11-29T17:33:00.000-05:00

No, although I have a new computer (Dell) and a digital camera ... I STILL do not know how to post my loverly pictures on my blog site. Yet.

Everything else is going well. I have some pictures from Thanksgiving, in an old farm house in the country with a real country dinner. Although I do not have pictures of me passed out asleep from the turkey and snoring away on the couch.

For the movies: LOVED, loved LOVED "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". I question the added dragon minutes necessity, although enjoying them. I question the added time since so much else was left out. Poor Dobby. And while I loved the ferret scene, the absence of Ron's line at that point was disappointing. Small, small quibbles in a movie I totally enjoyed.

Right now, from Netflix, I have Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior. This is not your usual martial arts film. THERE ARE NO STRINGS ATTACHED. Meaning, no wire work, it is ALL physical accomplishment only. No CG moments to the fighting. It's got an 84% on the Rotten Tomatoes review site.

And while I'm very excited to watch this movie, I am even More excited about the next one. I put the movies I want to see next at the top of my list and they send them in order of availability. In other words, if I want movie "A" but it's out, then the send me movie "B" which would be number two on my list. At the top of my list, however, I have the movies that have a "short wait" attached. I do it that way so that I never have to guess when a movie will come available, but I don't expect to get them right away either. But one of the movies I wasn't expecting for a while is on it's merry little way to my house.

MURDERBALL - It's a documentary about quadraplegic rugby players. That's right, you read that correctly. Quad Rugby. One of the most physical sports and those that most people write off as far as athletics go. These guys are rough and being in the rehabilitation field I am just soooo excited to get to see it.

One of the good things about my job (and sometimes annoying) is that no matter how bad your day has been or what's going on in your life ... it's all put into perspective by the people around you. Someone's always, always got it worse. You think you've got it bad??? Not hardly.

Now this doesn't mean I never complain. It just means I don't have much to complain about! Yeah things don't always go my way. Money's a struggle for 99% of the country. Weight and dieting, yuck. Love life (I think I've heard of the concept). But all in all, life is good. Very good. Although, if I don't figure out how to post my pictures, the grumbling may cause a localized earthquake around here!

I Rock!

2005-11-19T11:05:00.000-05:00

You scored as SG-1 (from Stargate). You are versatile and diverse in your thinking. You have an open mind to that which seems highly unlikely and accept it with a bit of humor. Now if only aliens would stop trying to take over your body.

SG-1 (from Stargate)

88%

Nebuchadnezzar (from The Matrix)

75%

Moya (from Farscape)

69%

Bebop (from Cowboy Bebop)

69%

Enterprise D (from Star Trek)

63%

Millennium Falcon (from Star Wars)

63%

Serenity (from Firefly)

50%

Galactica (from Battlestar: Galactica)

50%

Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics)
created with QuizFarm.com

LOST Addict

2005-11-17T18:06:00.000-05:00

Yep. I have a problem. I watch LOST and I want to know what the *(*&^&( is going on?!? "The children are in a better place" and "they're fine". Okay, any more vague people? Nice connection with Boone and the radio transmission. Poor Nathan, now only the LOST addicted will know your name. Goodwin. Ah Goodwin. Wow. Poor Shannon. And Mr. Echo???? How cool is he????!!! What's up with the teddy bear being dragged around by "The Others". When is the French chick coming back???? Hurry up people, once a week is not enough! I need my fix now. I need it, I'm hurting, I think I may need to go out and mug some poor people for the money to bribe someone in the "know".

Sad. I need help. Send help.

Yes!!!!!

2005-11-15T18:48:00.000-05:00

You scored as Neo, the "One". Neo is the computer hacker-turned-Messiah of the Matrix. He leads a small group of human rebels against the technology that controls them. Neo doubts his ability to lead but doesn't want to disappoint his friends. His goal is for a world where all men know the Truth and are free from the bonds of the Matrix.

Maximus

79%

Neo, the "One"

79%

Lara Croft

71%

Batman, the Dark Knight

63%

Captain Jack Sparrow

58%

William Wallace

54%

The Terminator

54%

The Amazing Spider-Man

54%

El Zorro

50%

James Bond, Agent 007

50%

Indiana Jones

46%

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0
created with QuizFarm.com

The Gods Must Be Crazy

2005-11-12T11:27:00.000-05:00

There's an old art house movie from the eighties called THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY. It is a form of slapstick comedy about the Bushmen of the Kalahari (spelling?) desert, a coke bottle, and lot's of adventure and fun. Also I have been reading the series about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander MacCall Smith. Lovely read, fun movie.

Then on BBC the other morning I hear a news story how the Botswana government is moving the Kalahari Bushmen off their lands, not letting them return to the desert, putting the nomadic tribesmen in schools. Cultural genocide. Bushmen are talking about armed men taking them out of the desert, the government denies any violence at all. There's talk of diamond mines in the desert. I don't know what to believe. Often times people are quick to blame without knowing the whole story. But just the thought of violence touching the lives of these nomadic Bushmen makes me sick.

Check this out

I probably have a highly romanticized image of a gentle people who are without war, greed, or even land ownership. But still. The very idea of forcing the Bushmen out of the desert "for their own good" is simply horrendous. If they change their way of life for internal reasons that's one thing, but if it is because of external force ... well, there's a long history of that in human culture and it's never a good thing.

The Gods aren't crazy, we are.