I have never understood why prunes have gotten such a bad rap. They really are nothing more than dried plums and I have a love for them. And if you ever try one, you will like them too. Of course, I have not always liked prunes. But, to be honest I just assumed that I did not like them because I had not ever actually tried them. Well that all changed about three years ago when one of my co-workers talked me into trying one from a bag of Sunsweet Dried Plums he kept in his desk drawer (for snacking). And I fell in love from the first one. As a matter of fact, I keep a bag of them at work and another one here at home. Just do not ever make the mistake of eating too many in one day… they can cause horrible gas (so I am told-;-D).
Now, my Grandmother loves prune juice. I really do not ever remember her keeping a bottle of it in the fridge during my childhood or teenage years. Yet, I remember her having it there in the last few years before we moved her out of her home. And she has been given a healthy serving of it every morning before breakfast for the two years she lived at the assisted living place- warmed mind you. Well, here lately it has become her obsession. How do you ask? For whatever reason, in her mind, it is the “red stuff in her stomach” that she “needs” all the time. The Sitter that she stays with actually called me on the phone last Friday to ask me what the red stuff was that my Grandmother keeps asking for. Let me break it down for you: When she cannot “go" she thinks she has to drink prune juice. And in the past she would keep drinking it until she “went”… sometimes even at night. That is a huge No-No... Never, ever, EVER give an elderly woman prune juice at night! Really bad (and I mean REALLY bad) things occur if an elderly person consumes prune juice at night (and no, I will NOT go into the details). So after my conversation with her last week, I made a special trip to Wal-ly World and purchased her a gallon of prune juice. I took it to her when I went down to visit last Saturday. I set the huge bottle right in front of her face while she was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for her lunch. I explained to her what it was and she was so happy to get it (even though the Sitter was showing me in the background the huge bottle already in the fridge). Well, I guess that huge gallon bottle of juice did not make that great deal of an impression because by Monday she was asking for the “red stuff” again! And she has every day since then too. I have asked her about my bringing the gallon to her last weekend and she will say that she does not remember. And the Sitter will say that she has already gave her two cups of it earlier that day (usually with positive results). And as usual she has just forgotten about it… So now the question is: how do you de-program her mind to stop the vicious prune juice cycle? According to my high school classmate and now Director of Nursing at a nursing home back home, you Don’t! She says that EVERY elderly person is just automatically obsessed with BM’s, prune juice, etc. And that they deal with this type of behavior every single day! She says that it is the # 1 subject of discussion with just about every one of her residents. Imagine that…
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Mrs. Palmer
Mrs. Palmer was my junior year English teacher in high school. She also taught both of my parents when they attended the same high school in the mid-60's... that should give you an idea of how long she has been around our school system (I am told around 45 years). She was an old school, gung-ho, school of hard knocks, in-your-face kinda of teacher that was feared by most students whether or not they actually took her class... and then they feared her throughout the year they sat in her classroom and learned from the fruits of her labor. Yes, she was tough and had a no-nonsense personality... but she was a Legend! Well, Mrs. Palmer passed away a week or so ago, but her gifts will live on forever. The paper estimated that she has taught over 8,000 students during her time… imagine if most of them took away from her class as much as I did!
I remember the first day of her class. I was seated in the second seat of the middle row in her classroom. Two guys in this particular class (who were known to be goof-offs) attempted some act of idiocy (I really cannot remember now what exactly they did) and you would have thought the planet tilted on its axis- her voice alone made grown men stop in their tracks. And when she barked, everyone jumped! She held nothing back when it came to disciplinary measures… seriously, just her facial expressions alone demanded respect. She was an icon… Period. Somehow, throughout a long year in her Literature class, I managed to pass with all A’s… it is true what they say about “teach and they will learn”. I have never considered English/Lit my strong suit- only math and science- more maths than science. But, in Mrs. Palmer’s class it was simple- pay attention and you too can excel in her class! I will admit that I feared her at first, but once I took her class and proved that I had the desire to learn, she quickly became a favorite! Of course, I really do not remember the many things we learned in her class- considering that was about 18 years ago but, the one pet peeve she DID instill in me is my habitual annoyance with dangling modifiers. I just know that every letter, memo, email, blog, etc. that I have composed in the last 18 years most definitely NEVER had a dangling modifier- that would just be sacrilege… and Mrs. Palmer would not have approved either. Needless to say, she definitely left her mark on me throughout my junior year of high school. She truly was one of the greatest teachers in my educational upbringing. I wish I could tell her that today.
HCHS Graduation- June 1, 1991
I remember the first day of her class. I was seated in the second seat of the middle row in her classroom. Two guys in this particular class (who were known to be goof-offs) attempted some act of idiocy (I really cannot remember now what exactly they did) and you would have thought the planet tilted on its axis- her voice alone made grown men stop in their tracks. And when she barked, everyone jumped! She held nothing back when it came to disciplinary measures… seriously, just her facial expressions alone demanded respect. She was an icon… Period. Somehow, throughout a long year in her Literature class, I managed to pass with all A’s… it is true what they say about “teach and they will learn”. I have never considered English/Lit my strong suit- only math and science- more maths than science. But, in Mrs. Palmer’s class it was simple- pay attention and you too can excel in her class! I will admit that I feared her at first, but once I took her class and proved that I had the desire to learn, she quickly became a favorite! Of course, I really do not remember the many things we learned in her class- considering that was about 18 years ago but, the one pet peeve she DID instill in me is my habitual annoyance with dangling modifiers. I just know that every letter, memo, email, blog, etc. that I have composed in the last 18 years most definitely NEVER had a dangling modifier- that would just be sacrilege… and Mrs. Palmer would not have approved either. Needless to say, she definitely left her mark on me throughout my junior year of high school. She truly was one of the greatest teachers in my educational upbringing. I wish I could tell her that today.
HCHS Graduation- June 1, 1991
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Ninja Hauler For Sale
This was a Craig's List add that someone sent me- WAY too funny!!!!
For Sale
NINJA HAULER: 2005 Nissan Xterra - $12900 (Ronan / Lake County)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: mailto:sale-926508578@craigslist.org?subject=NINJA%20HAULER:%20%202005%20Nissan%20Xterra%20-%20900%20%28Ronan%20/%20Lake%20County%29 [?]
Date: 2008-11-19, 10:04PM MST
OK, let me start off by saying this Xterra is only available for purchase by the manliest of men (or women). My friend, if it was possible for a vehicle to sprout chest hair and a five o'clock shadow, this Nissan would look like Tom Selleck. It is just that manly.
It was never intended to drive to the mall so you can pick up that adorable shirt at Abercrombie & Fitch that you had your eye on. It wasn't meant to transport you to yoga class or Linens & Things. No, that's what your Prius is for. If that's the kind of car you're looking for, then just do us all a favor and stop reading right now. I mean it. Just stop.
This car was engineered by 3rd degree ninja super-warriors in the highest mountains of Japan to serve the needs of the man that cheats death on a daily basis. They didn't even consider superfluous nancy boy amenities like navigation systems (real men don't get lost), heated leather seats (a real man doesn't let anything warm his butt), or On Star (real men don't even know what the hell On Star is).
No, this brute comes with the things us testosterone-fueled super action junkies need. It has a 265 HP engine to outrun the cops. It's got special blood/gore resistant upholstery. It even has a first-aid kit in the back. You know what the first aid kit has in it? A pint of whiskey, a stitch-your-own-wound kit and a hunk of leather to bite down on when you're operating on yourself. The Xterra also has an automatic transmission so if you're being chased by Libyan terrorists, you'll still be able to shoot your machine gun out the window and drive at the same time. It's saved my bacon more than once.
It has room for you and the four hotties you picked up on the way to the gym to blast your pecs and hammer your glutes. There's a tow hitch to pull your 50 caliber anti-Taliban, self cooling machine gun. I also just put in a new windshield to replace the one that got shot out by The Man.
My price on this bad boy is an incredibly low $12,900, but I'll entertain reasonable offers. And by reasonable, I mean don't walk up and tell me you'll give me $5,000 for it. That's liable to earn you a Burmese-roundhouse-sphincter-kick with a follow up three fingered eye-jab. Would it hurt? Hell yeah. Let's just say you won't be the prettiest guy at the Coldplay concert anymore.
There's only 69,000 miles on this four-wheeled hellcat from Planet Kickass. Trust me, it will outlive you and the offspring that will carry your name. It will live on as a monument to your machismo.
Now, go look in the mirror and tell me what you see. If it's a rugged, no holds barred, super brute he-man macho Chuck Norris stunt double, then contact me. I might be out hang-gliding or BASE jumping or just chilling with my ladies, but I'll get back to you. And when I do, we'll talk about a price over a nice glass of Schmidt while we listen to Johnny Cash.
To sweeten the deal a little, I'm throwing in this pair of MC Hammer pants for the man with rippling quads that can't fit into regular pants. Yeah, you heard me. FREE MC Hammer pants.
Rock on.
For Sale
NINJA HAULER: 2005 Nissan Xterra - $12900 (Ronan / Lake County)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: mailto:sale-926508578@craigslist.org?subject=NINJA%20HAULER:%20%202005%20Nissan%20Xterra%20-%20900%20%28Ronan%20/%20Lake%20County%29 [?]
Date: 2008-11-19, 10:04PM MST
OK, let me start off by saying this Xterra is only available for purchase by the manliest of men (or women). My friend, if it was possible for a vehicle to sprout chest hair and a five o'clock shadow, this Nissan would look like Tom Selleck. It is just that manly.
It was never intended to drive to the mall so you can pick up that adorable shirt at Abercrombie & Fitch that you had your eye on. It wasn't meant to transport you to yoga class or Linens & Things. No, that's what your Prius is for. If that's the kind of car you're looking for, then just do us all a favor and stop reading right now. I mean it. Just stop.
This car was engineered by 3rd degree ninja super-warriors in the highest mountains of Japan to serve the needs of the man that cheats death on a daily basis. They didn't even consider superfluous nancy boy amenities like navigation systems (real men don't get lost), heated leather seats (a real man doesn't let anything warm his butt), or On Star (real men don't even know what the hell On Star is).
No, this brute comes with the things us testosterone-fueled super action junkies need. It has a 265 HP engine to outrun the cops. It's got special blood/gore resistant upholstery. It even has a first-aid kit in the back. You know what the first aid kit has in it? A pint of whiskey, a stitch-your-own-wound kit and a hunk of leather to bite down on when you're operating on yourself. The Xterra also has an automatic transmission so if you're being chased by Libyan terrorists, you'll still be able to shoot your machine gun out the window and drive at the same time. It's saved my bacon more than once.
It has room for you and the four hotties you picked up on the way to the gym to blast your pecs and hammer your glutes. There's a tow hitch to pull your 50 caliber anti-Taliban, self cooling machine gun. I also just put in a new windshield to replace the one that got shot out by The Man.
My price on this bad boy is an incredibly low $12,900, but I'll entertain reasonable offers. And by reasonable, I mean don't walk up and tell me you'll give me $5,000 for it. That's liable to earn you a Burmese-roundhouse-sphincter-kick with a follow up three fingered eye-jab. Would it hurt? Hell yeah. Let's just say you won't be the prettiest guy at the Coldplay concert anymore.
There's only 69,000 miles on this four-wheeled hellcat from Planet Kickass. Trust me, it will outlive you and the offspring that will carry your name. It will live on as a monument to your machismo.
Now, go look in the mirror and tell me what you see. If it's a rugged, no holds barred, super brute he-man macho Chuck Norris stunt double, then contact me. I might be out hang-gliding or BASE jumping or just chilling with my ladies, but I'll get back to you. And when I do, we'll talk about a price over a nice glass of Schmidt while we listen to Johnny Cash.
To sweeten the deal a little, I'm throwing in this pair of MC Hammer pants for the man with rippling quads that can't fit into regular pants. Yeah, you heard me. FREE MC Hammer pants.
Rock on.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
40 Tips For A Better Life- 2009
I got this list in an email today from a dear friend of mine... and I wanted to share it!
If I actually accomplish half of this list in 2009 it will be an absolute miracle!! As for you guys, knock yourselves out...
40 Tips For A Better Life - 2009
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to p ractice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifet ime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. REMEMBER , GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)
37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Share this with those you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less, M ay your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!
If I actually accomplish half of this list in 2009 it will be an absolute miracle!! As for you guys, knock yourselves out...
40 Tips For A Better Life - 2009
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to p ractice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifet ime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. REMEMBER , GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)
37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Share this with those you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less, M ay your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Post-Surgery Fun
Just a forewarning… this blog could get ugly…
I have to say I am happy so far with my post-surgery results… I have successfully “had to go to the bathroom” pretty much every day since 48 hours after the surgery mid-last week! And that is THE biggest problem I had before the surgery. Yes, I will admit that I have struggled with this problem of not having “movements” for years- just to be brutally honest. And I hope that with this surgery comes somewhat of a relief to this burden of mine I like to refer to as “I am a once-a-weeker”. My mom and my paternal grandmother both have this same problem so I get it from both sides of my family tree! How unfair is that? I have heard so many stories from folks who have had this surgery and how they had such differing results. For example, the surgeon said I would experience up to 6 months of diarrhea. A couple of folks said that salad consumption would send me immediately flying to the restroom. One dear friend said that she could not eat anything fried or greasy for over a year post-surgery! A co-worker said that her sister could not tolerate any thing with sugar (poor girl!)… And yet, as for ME… I have done ALL of these in the past week and not one of them has made me sick, sent me flying to the loo, gave me massive stomach pains or cramps, etc. So maybe my stomach is made of cast iron…? Or maybe I have been backed-up for so long that my digestive system is just super relieved and let’s everything pass through as intended in my original system design…? Who knows, all I do know is praise the Lord for second chances! On that note, I will be in the bathroom after I post this…;-D
I have to say I am happy so far with my post-surgery results… I have successfully “had to go to the bathroom” pretty much every day since 48 hours after the surgery mid-last week! And that is THE biggest problem I had before the surgery. Yes, I will admit that I have struggled with this problem of not having “movements” for years- just to be brutally honest. And I hope that with this surgery comes somewhat of a relief to this burden of mine I like to refer to as “I am a once-a-weeker”. My mom and my paternal grandmother both have this same problem so I get it from both sides of my family tree! How unfair is that? I have heard so many stories from folks who have had this surgery and how they had such differing results. For example, the surgeon said I would experience up to 6 months of diarrhea. A couple of folks said that salad consumption would send me immediately flying to the restroom. One dear friend said that she could not eat anything fried or greasy for over a year post-surgery! A co-worker said that her sister could not tolerate any thing with sugar (poor girl!)… And yet, as for ME… I have done ALL of these in the past week and not one of them has made me sick, sent me flying to the loo, gave me massive stomach pains or cramps, etc. So maybe my stomach is made of cast iron…? Or maybe I have been backed-up for so long that my digestive system is just super relieved and let’s everything pass through as intended in my original system design…? Who knows, all I do know is praise the Lord for second chances! On that note, I will be in the bathroom after I post this…;-D
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Year Sports Outlook
Well it’s official… I must be rooting for the wrong teams. Both of my football teams lost this week. The Jackets were trampled by LSU in their bowl game and the Falcons lost today to the Cardinals in the wild card playoff game. Not a great start to the New Year in the sports department for me…
On a good note, I found out earlier this week that boot camp is ON for the month of January! We had enough folks sign up that my 5:30am class is a go and they start this coming Monday the 5th. Too bad I will still be out of commission from the post-surgery recovery for another week after the 5th… hopefully, I can return the week of the 12th… I will have to look at the January schedule and decide which workouts I can or cannot do yet. I cannot wait to back to the workout regimen!
On a good note, I found out earlier this week that boot camp is ON for the month of January! We had enough folks sign up that my 5:30am class is a go and they start this coming Monday the 5th. Too bad I will still be out of commission from the post-surgery recovery for another week after the 5th… hopefully, I can return the week of the 12th… I will have to look at the January schedule and decide which workouts I can or cannot do yet. I cannot wait to back to the workout regimen!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Good News for the New Year
Today was the first day of the new year and we celebrated southern style of course! My Mom prepared traditional black-eyed peas, collards, cabbage, cubed steak and my favorite- cracklin' cornbread! I actually did the cornbread myself (since they were my personal collection of precious cracklins)... We invited the one of the neighbors (whose husband and grown sons were out of town) to eat with us since I remembered her saying she would be alone today. The meal was super delicious and we had a great time consuming it! My Mom left shortly after lunch. And Hubby goes back to work tomorrow morning... so I will be alone until he returns Saturday evening.
On a good note for the new year, my company was the low bidder yesterday on an upcoming project here in Atlanta! We were first out of three and my name is on it for the PM slot! So that is great news for the new year for our SE Division... Woo hoo! I will find out more when I return to work on Monday the 5th. Double Woo hoo!
On a good note for the new year, my company was the low bidder yesterday on an upcoming project here in Atlanta! We were first out of three and my name is on it for the PM slot! So that is great news for the new year for our SE Division... Woo hoo! I will find out more when I return to work on Monday the 5th. Double Woo hoo!
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