Walgreens - 12/31/07
Posted 12-31-2007 at 06:44:34 PM by saving4earlyretirement
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Receipt says I saved $40.38 - I only spent $25.70! WOOHOO!
Everything I bought was on sale, but the big savings was with the coupons!
Bounty $2.49 plus .50 Walgreen coupon plus a $1 coupon = $0.99 each!
O-cello sponges - 50% off plus $1/2 = $0.64 each
dawn dish soap - $1.29 plus .50 Walgreen coupon plus $1.00/2 = $.29 each
Oust candle - BOGO plus 2 coupons for a free oust spray ($3.49 each) when you buy a candle = $6.99 for 2 candles and 2 sprays ($1.75 each)
Glade 2/$5 plus $1.50 easy rebate plus $1 coupon = $.50 each
I think that's all of the savings - I'll have to write down the coupons next time before I actually use them to be more accurate.
(and their human parents)
This blog started as The adventures of a D.I.N.K. family where the two "kids" are four legged and how we are going to retire early. Now it's a 1 income, 1 entrepreneur, and 1 pup getting closer and closer to retirement.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Giant shopping trip - 12/31/07
Giant shopping trip - 12/31/07
Posted 12-31-2007 at 06:24:34 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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Of course, needed to use those coupons before they expired.
My receipt says saved $31.82.
The bargains (sales) I went shopping for:old spice/secret deorderant - 2/$5 plus a $1 on 2 coupon = $2 each.
Herbal Essence - $2.99 plus $1 coupon
Pert Plus - $4.49 plus $2.50 off of 2 and a $5 rebate = $0.74 each!
Campbell's soup at hand - $1.50 each and a .50 coupon (doubled) = $1 each
Posted 12-31-2007 at 06:24:34 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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Of course, needed to use those coupons before they expired.
My receipt says saved $31.82.
The bargains (sales) I went shopping for:old spice/secret deorderant - 2/$5 plus a $1 on 2 coupon = $2 each.
Herbal Essence - $2.99 plus $1 coupon
Pert Plus - $4.49 plus $2.50 off of 2 and a $5 rebate = $0.74 each!
Campbell's soup at hand - $1.50 each and a .50 coupon (doubled) = $1 each
Money Goals for 2008
Money Goals for 2008
Posted 12-31-2007 at 10:49:53 AM by saving4earlyretirement
Updated 12-31-2007 at 06:07:49 PM by saving4earlyretirement (update)
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Time for those New Year's resolutions! Figured I'd share some of my (our) money goals for the year (I say mine because I'm in charge of the house money so I usually set them up and then confirm them with the hubby - who usually agrees with them).
1. Save as much as possible by using coupons and taking advantage of the weekly deals that are out there. Usually we only go grocery shopping every two weeks and only make an additional stop for milk and bread. I'm going to take saving to the next level and start printing internet coupons (making sure that the stores I go to accept them) and making those extra stops during the week. I'm very luck that all of the following are on my 10 mile drive to and from work: Wegmans, Target, Shoppers, Bloom, CVS, Giant. Walgreens is a little out of the way, but maybe only 2 miles from our house. Their deals are so good though, it's worth it.
2. Pay down the credit card and loans. We already have a budget and the credit card is basically paid off, but every month there's the gas card (need to get better on the budgeting of that), student loan and the car payment. Never mind the mortgage!
3. Sell the extra stuff around the house. I really started getting into this in 2007 and cleared about $95 after postage, shipping supplies, and commissions. I try to use the websites that do not cost to list and you only pay a commission if you sell. The post office is also on my way home from work, so no extra gas spend driving out of the way!
4. Being as green as possible. Amazing how being green saves you money! I've always been in the habit of turning off lights when I'm not in the room. Now I also unplug appliances when not in use.
5. Using the gift cards I have in my wallet. I KNOW! I'm surprised I haven't used these either!
6. No buying magazines (and only select books. I'm such a magazine addict. I LOVE magazines! This will be hard for me.
7. See a penny, pick it up and all day you'll have good luck. Yes, I pick up coins - including pennies and put them in a change jar. I also return SmarteCartes to the bins at work and get 25 cents each (usually unless there's no change in the machine). Hey, it adds up.
Posted 12-31-2007 at 10:49:53 AM by saving4earlyretirement
Updated 12-31-2007 at 06:07:49 PM by saving4earlyretirement (update)
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Time for those New Year's resolutions! Figured I'd share some of my (our) money goals for the year (I say mine because I'm in charge of the house money so I usually set them up and then confirm them with the hubby - who usually agrees with them).
1. Save as much as possible by using coupons and taking advantage of the weekly deals that are out there. Usually we only go grocery shopping every two weeks and only make an additional stop for milk and bread. I'm going to take saving to the next level and start printing internet coupons (making sure that the stores I go to accept them) and making those extra stops during the week. I'm very luck that all of the following are on my 10 mile drive to and from work: Wegmans, Target, Shoppers, Bloom, CVS, Giant. Walgreens is a little out of the way, but maybe only 2 miles from our house. Their deals are so good though, it's worth it.
2. Pay down the credit card and loans. We already have a budget and the credit card is basically paid off, but every month there's the gas card (need to get better on the budgeting of that), student loan and the car payment. Never mind the mortgage!
3. Sell the extra stuff around the house. I really started getting into this in 2007 and cleared about $95 after postage, shipping supplies, and commissions. I try to use the websites that do not cost to list and you only pay a commission if you sell. The post office is also on my way home from work, so no extra gas spend driving out of the way!
4. Being as green as possible. Amazing how being green saves you money! I've always been in the habit of turning off lights when I'm not in the room. Now I also unplug appliances when not in use.
5. Using the gift cards I have in my wallet. I KNOW! I'm surprised I haven't used these either!
6. No buying magazines (and only select books. I'm such a magazine addict. I LOVE magazines! This will be hard for me.
7. See a penny, pick it up and all day you'll have good luck. Yes, I pick up coins - including pennies and put them in a change jar. I also return SmarteCartes to the bins at work and get 25 cents each (usually unless there's no change in the machine). Hey, it adds up.
Who will take internet coupons in my area
Who will take internet coupons in my area
Posted 12-30-2007 at 04:05:38 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
Updated 12-31-2007 at 06:46:54 PM by saving4earlyretirement (update)
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Before I start printed coupons from the internet, I figured I better find out who will accept them!
So far:
CVS
Giant - but must be cents off only - no freebies
Harris Teeter
Target
Walgreens
Posted 12-30-2007 at 04:05:38 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
Updated 12-31-2007 at 06:46:54 PM by saving4earlyretirement (update)
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Before I start printed coupons from the internet, I figured I better find out who will accept them!
So far:
CVS
Giant - but must be cents off only - no freebies
Harris Teeter
Target
Walgreens
Sunday, December 30, 2007
CVS Shopping
CVS Shopping
Posted 12-30-2007 at 04:04:27 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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Saved $46.12 - love it when it's printed right on the receipt!
Saved on Always pads & liners ($2.99 each and a $1.00 on 2 coupon)
Saved on Charmin 9 roll ($3.99 and a $1 coupon)
Colgate toothpaste - BOGO!
EC coupon - $2 on any Covergirl Cosmetic item
Posted 12-30-2007 at 04:04:27 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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Saved $46.12 - love it when it's printed right on the receipt!
Saved on Always pads & liners ($2.99 each and a $1.00 on 2 coupon)
Saved on Charmin 9 roll ($3.99 and a $1 coupon)
Colgate toothpaste - BOGO!
EC coupon - $2 on any Covergirl Cosmetic item
Target shopping
Target shopping
Posted 12-30-2007 at 04:01:25 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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We saved 75% on christmas items today! We will have a lot of new lights for next year.
Saved on Pupperoni dog treats (2/$5 and a $1 coupon).
Saved on Wheat Thins (2/$4 and a $0.55 coupon).
Posted 12-30-2007 at 04:01:25 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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We saved 75% on christmas items today! We will have a lot of new lights for next year.
Saved on Pupperoni dog treats (2/$5 and a $1 coupon).
Saved on Wheat Thins (2/$4 and a $0.55 coupon).
Time to Get Serious
time to get serious
Posted 12-30-2007 at 12:12:28 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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I just found Hot Coupon World a few days ago and I'm loving it!
I have ALWAYS been a saver. Something that has rubbed off from my mom & aunt. I love "the game" of how much money can I save using coupons, sales, etc.
My goal is to retire at age 50. 11 years to go. I just try to remember every penny I save today, helps me get closer to that goal.
I'm going to use this blog (blog 3 in my world) to post how much I save on my purchases.
Posted 12-30-2007 at 12:12:28 PM by saving4earlyretirement (tracking my savings to an early retirement)
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I just found Hot Coupon World a few days ago and I'm loving it!
I have ALWAYS been a saver. Something that has rubbed off from my mom & aunt. I love "the game" of how much money can I save using coupons, sales, etc.
My goal is to retire at age 50. 11 years to go. I just try to remember every penny I save today, helps me get closer to that goal.
I'm going to use this blog (blog 3 in my world) to post how much I save on my purchases.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Just another day when you work at the airport
Just another day when you work at the airport.......PrivacyOnly I can see this
10/22/2007 04:23 pm
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0 Pageviews..Dulles Airport EvacuatedOctober 22, 2007 - 4:09pm
CHANTILLY, Va. - A portion of Dulles International Airport has been evacuated due to a suspicious bag.
The upper level of Dulles, including the ticketing area, was evacuated after a suspicious bag was found shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson says.
Airport officials have closed the security checkpoint to passengers. Travelers who have not yet reached the security checkpoint can expect delays.
Security guards are examining the piece of luggage, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson Courtney Prebich says.
The incident has not affected air traffic. Planes are still arriving at the airport and passengers are being directed to baggage claim on the lower level.
(Copyright 2007 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Dulles Airport Reopens After Security ScareOctober 22, 2007 - 4:20pm
CHANTILLY, Va. - Dulles International Airport has reopened after being evacuated due to a suspicious package.
Airport officials gave the all-clear shortly after 4 p.m. Monday and passengers are being let into the airport and screening areas.
The upper level of Dulles, including the ticketing area, was evacuated after a suspicious bag was found shortly after 3 p.m., a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson says.
It is not yet known how the incident will affect air traffic.
(Copyright 2007 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
10/22/2007 04:23 pm
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0 Pageviews..Dulles Airport EvacuatedOctober 22, 2007 - 4:09pm
CHANTILLY, Va. - A portion of Dulles International Airport has been evacuated due to a suspicious bag.
The upper level of Dulles, including the ticketing area, was evacuated after a suspicious bag was found shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson says.
Airport officials have closed the security checkpoint to passengers. Travelers who have not yet reached the security checkpoint can expect delays.
Security guards are examining the piece of luggage, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson Courtney Prebich says.
The incident has not affected air traffic. Planes are still arriving at the airport and passengers are being directed to baggage claim on the lower level.
(Copyright 2007 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Dulles Airport Reopens After Security ScareOctober 22, 2007 - 4:20pm
CHANTILLY, Va. - Dulles International Airport has reopened after being evacuated due to a suspicious package.
Airport officials gave the all-clear shortly after 4 p.m. Monday and passengers are being let into the airport and screening areas.
The upper level of Dulles, including the ticketing area, was evacuated after a suspicious bag was found shortly after 3 p.m., a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesperson says.
It is not yet known how the incident will affect air traffic.
(Copyright 2007 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Entry for October 14, 2007
Entry for October 14, 2007.
10/14/2007 02:54 pm
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Yes - this last week has been busy at work - but luckily, all good. Darren is working out nicely - he's a great guy and has jumped right in. It so helps that he's already a Westfield employee and knows how the airports work. It's been like being at a new job again - He's definitely given me a renewed energy at work. So, this last week has been tiring. That plus all of the other stuff going on (girly time and house maintenance stuff).
Now, to catch up.....
Starting with last Saturday -
We were VERY successful giving Esa a bath - we were both shocked. All it took was rubber bath mats in the tub and peanut butter. She LOVES peanut butter, so I used it to get her into the bathroom and to keep her occupied while Dan lathered her up (we do this outside of the tub) and then she was so good in the tub and when we got her out and dried her off (more peanut butter).
Class was ok - she was classclown. Just laying and stretching out in the middle of the room. Not really listening. Then, we went to get her nails clipped. BAD TIME.....She HATED IT! They had to muzzle her and have one person hold her and then the other clip. Then at the last one, Esa jumped and hit the lady in the face - she had glasses on so, her face got red from where they hit. The lady was SO MAD. Then Esa's toe started bleeding. They really weren't able to get the quik-stop on it either, but finally it stopped. We were all drained after that.
But, then it was time to go to hockey....We purchased a 6 game pack (Saturday nights only). It was fun - as always. Caps are now 3 - 2 - starting the downward spiral......Dan ordered us new jersey's - He got Jurcina (in red - home), I got Brashear (in white - away) and I got my Zednik Panther's jersey. We should see them this next week.
Sunday, Chrissy & David went to the all you can eat pancake breakfast with us at the firehouse. We haven't seen them in awhile, so it was nice to catch up. They stopped over afterwards to see Esa (Chrissy is Esa's doctor). Chrissy said it's time to start the adult food. So, we've started yesterday with it.
Speaking of the baby - she's 8 months today! Oh - and I've gotten in touch with Guiness's mom on Facebook, so we might have a playdate.
Esa has been going to daycare once a week and loving it. She's worn out when she gets home and is tired the next day.
The day she went this week, we came home and the AC wasn't working - it was 80 degrees in the house! Of course the next day, it was in the 60s, but we still had the maintenace guy come and check it out. Of course, he couldn't find anything wrong! But he did do the fall maintenance while he was here.
So, there's the week. Without the girly details -
10/14/2007 02:54 pm
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Yes - this last week has been busy at work - but luckily, all good. Darren is working out nicely - he's a great guy and has jumped right in. It so helps that he's already a Westfield employee and knows how the airports work. It's been like being at a new job again - He's definitely given me a renewed energy at work. So, this last week has been tiring. That plus all of the other stuff going on (girly time and house maintenance stuff).
Now, to catch up.....
Starting with last Saturday -
 |
| 8 months old |
We were VERY successful giving Esa a bath - we were both shocked. All it took was rubber bath mats in the tub and peanut butter. She LOVES peanut butter, so I used it to get her into the bathroom and to keep her occupied while Dan lathered her up (we do this outside of the tub) and then she was so good in the tub and when we got her out and dried her off (more peanut butter).
Class was ok - she was classclown. Just laying and stretching out in the middle of the room. Not really listening. Then, we went to get her nails clipped. BAD TIME.....She HATED IT! They had to muzzle her and have one person hold her and then the other clip. Then at the last one, Esa jumped and hit the lady in the face - she had glasses on so, her face got red from where they hit. The lady was SO MAD. Then Esa's toe started bleeding. They really weren't able to get the quik-stop on it either, but finally it stopped. We were all drained after that.
But, then it was time to go to hockey....We purchased a 6 game pack (Saturday nights only). It was fun - as always. Caps are now 3 - 2 - starting the downward spiral......Dan ordered us new jersey's - He got Jurcina (in red - home), I got Brashear (in white - away) and I got my Zednik Panther's jersey. We should see them this next week.
Sunday, Chrissy & David went to the all you can eat pancake breakfast with us at the firehouse. We haven't seen them in awhile, so it was nice to catch up. They stopped over afterwards to see Esa (Chrissy is Esa's doctor). Chrissy said it's time to start the adult food. So, we've started yesterday with it.
Speaking of the baby - she's 8 months today! Oh - and I've gotten in touch with Guiness's mom on Facebook, so we might have a playdate.
Esa has been going to daycare once a week and loving it. She's worn out when she gets home and is tired the next day.
The day she went this week, we came home and the AC wasn't working - it was 80 degrees in the house! Of course the next day, it was in the 60s, but we still had the maintenace guy come and check it out. Of course, he couldn't find anything wrong! But he did do the fall maintenance while he was here.
So, there's the week. Without the girly details -
Friday, October 5, 2007
Entry for October 05, 2007
Entry for October 05, 2007.
10/05/2007 11:22 am
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0 Pageviews..Caps first game of the season is tonight! WOOHOO! Tomorrow, we'll be going to the first home game (our yearly tradition).
Degrassi's season starts tonight too - what do I watch? The game or the show? It'll probably be tape Degrassi with flipping to the game during commercials.
Besides the game this weekend, we need to give Esa a bath, have her training at 2 p.m. tomorrow and then pancake breakfast at the firehouse on Sunday. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.
We've put off giving Esa a bath long enough - she hates it and almost bit Dan last time. If it doesn't go well this time, it'll be to the groomer's she goes.
Yesterday was an interesting day at work. I had a run-in with TSA employees and dealings with the former boss.
I went to visit the owners of the flower shop that we have in baggage claim. Their area is open where you can walk through the shop to get to a lower level. It's not meant as a cut through though. Anyway - As we were standing there – TSA employees were constantly cutting through the space and there isn’t that much room between the counter and display case So – being the trouble maker that I am - I “closed” of the back with the stanchions that were in the area (I think the tenant use them when they are closed). I also mentioned/asked the TSA Supervisor to please have his employees go around and not cut through. TSA was “meeting” in the lower area so he was right there.
I redirected probably 15 TSA employees to go around and BOY DID I GET DIRTY LOOKS! One guy (twice my size) was RIGHT in my face and basically threatened me saying “Do you really want to do this today?” Of course, I said YES! (I did let him by though! J). He kept mouthing me saying, you don’t have the right, etc., etc., etc. Damn TSA employees think they own the airport! How would they like it if someone walked right through their house as a cutthrough?
That was the first issue. Then when I finally got back, there was a message from the former boss asking if I could send her letter templates that we use. She started off the message "I know I told you you really shouldn't do this BUT....." I had a feeling it would be ok, but checked with the new boss to confirm. Not a problem. Of course, SP called a couple of times before I sent them. We're a person short here - I can't just jump when she asks (don't have to anymore since she's not the boss!) THEN she asked to send a LEASE template! There's no way! We don't even give the lease out to local managers! I called the new boss and confirmed again and he agreed - ask legal for that, not us. So SP seemed to accept that answer when I e-mailed her. She e-mailed that she would call legal, but said that since Westfield puts it in proposals that it's considered public knowledge. Whatever.
So even though SP is gone, she's still calling us for support and we're (or should I say I'm) still dealing with her. I'm excited that Darren (the new boss) is starting next week. We've already talked about "reorganizing" the office procedures (who does what) and hopefully get me out of some of the admin stuff I still do. I've given SM the heads up that Darren will be giving her more responsiblity.
10/05/2007 11:22 am
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0 Pageviews..Caps first game of the season is tonight! WOOHOO! Tomorrow, we'll be going to the first home game (our yearly tradition).
Degrassi's season starts tonight too - what do I watch? The game or the show? It'll probably be tape Degrassi with flipping to the game during commercials.
Besides the game this weekend, we need to give Esa a bath, have her training at 2 p.m. tomorrow and then pancake breakfast at the firehouse on Sunday. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.
We've put off giving Esa a bath long enough - she hates it and almost bit Dan last time. If it doesn't go well this time, it'll be to the groomer's she goes.
Yesterday was an interesting day at work. I had a run-in with TSA employees and dealings with the former boss.
I went to visit the owners of the flower shop that we have in baggage claim. Their area is open where you can walk through the shop to get to a lower level. It's not meant as a cut through though. Anyway - As we were standing there – TSA employees were constantly cutting through the space and there isn’t that much room between the counter and display case So – being the trouble maker that I am - I “closed” of the back with the stanchions that were in the area (I think the tenant use them when they are closed). I also mentioned/asked the TSA Supervisor to please have his employees go around and not cut through. TSA was “meeting” in the lower area so he was right there.
I redirected probably 15 TSA employees to go around and BOY DID I GET DIRTY LOOKS! One guy (twice my size) was RIGHT in my face and basically threatened me saying “Do you really want to do this today?” Of course, I said YES! (I did let him by though! J). He kept mouthing me saying, you don’t have the right, etc., etc., etc. Damn TSA employees think they own the airport! How would they like it if someone walked right through their house as a cutthrough?
That was the first issue. Then when I finally got back, there was a message from the former boss asking if I could send her letter templates that we use. She started off the message "I know I told you you really shouldn't do this BUT....." I had a feeling it would be ok, but checked with the new boss to confirm. Not a problem. Of course, SP called a couple of times before I sent them. We're a person short here - I can't just jump when she asks (don't have to anymore since she's not the boss!) THEN she asked to send a LEASE template! There's no way! We don't even give the lease out to local managers! I called the new boss and confirmed again and he agreed - ask legal for that, not us. So SP seemed to accept that answer when I e-mailed her. She e-mailed that she would call legal, but said that since Westfield puts it in proposals that it's considered public knowledge. Whatever.
So even though SP is gone, she's still calling us for support and we're (or should I say I'm) still dealing with her. I'm excited that Darren (the new boss) is starting next week. We've already talked about "reorganizing" the office procedures (who does what) and hopefully get me out of some of the admin stuff I still do. I've given SM the heads up that Darren will be giving her more responsiblity.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Entry for October 03, 2007
Entry for October 03, 2007
10/03/2007 01:34 pm
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The weekend was busy.
Saturday, we went to an animal fundraising festival (with Esa) and had fun. Got to see our friend's band play and see other friends that we only see every once in awhile. Esa was still recovering on Sunday. She was tired from the outing.
Sunday, time for hockey! We got free tickets sent to us to "get us back" as preferred ticket holders. We always have a lot of fun watching the games - even when we lose and a pre-season game.
This week is flying by. Monday night I went grocery shopping and saw one of my scrapbooking friends that I haven't seen in awhile. I never go to that store and decided to go just because they had a lot of BOGO (buy one, get one free) stuff.
Yesterday it was Esatime - we went for a long walk and then just played in the house. Lost the TV remote yesterday. It was on the coffee table and Esa got it while I was upstairs. I knew eventually that would happen. She just loves the remote.
I purchased our hockey tickets for the season today. We got a 6 pack and have a game almost every month. I was thinking of getting Center Ice on TV - just not sure if I'll really be able to watch it, so is it really worth it?
10/03/2007 01:34 pm
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The weekend was busy.
Saturday, we went to an animal fundraising festival (with Esa) and had fun. Got to see our friend's band play and see other friends that we only see every once in awhile. Esa was still recovering on Sunday. She was tired from the outing.
Sunday, time for hockey! We got free tickets sent to us to "get us back" as preferred ticket holders. We always have a lot of fun watching the games - even when we lose and a pre-season game.
This week is flying by. Monday night I went grocery shopping and saw one of my scrapbooking friends that I haven't seen in awhile. I never go to that store and decided to go just because they had a lot of BOGO (buy one, get one free) stuff.
Yesterday it was Esatime - we went for a long walk and then just played in the house. Lost the TV remote yesterday. It was on the coffee table and Esa got it while I was upstairs. I knew eventually that would happen. She just loves the remote.
I purchased our hockey tickets for the season today. We got a 6 pack and have a game almost every month. I was thinking of getting Center Ice on TV - just not sure if I'll really be able to watch it, so is it really worth it?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Friday Five - September 28, 2007
Friday Five - September 28, 2007
09/28/2007 01:02 pm
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Friday Five!
1. Name one movie you think everyone should see. Any bratpack movie from the 80's
2. Name one song you think everyone should hear. "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse (our wedding song!).
3. Name one place you think everyone should see. the two extremes we have in the US - the ocean and the mountains
4. Name one book you think everyone should read. Any Judy Blume book
5. Name one thing you think everyone should experience . A rollercoaster
09/28/2007 01:02 pm
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Friday Five!
1. Name one movie you think everyone should see. Any bratpack movie from the 80's
2. Name one song you think everyone should hear. "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse (our wedding song!).
3. Name one place you think everyone should see. the two extremes we have in the US - the ocean and the mountains
4. Name one book you think everyone should read. Any Judy Blume book
5. Name one thing you think everyone should experience . A rollercoaster
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Entry for September 27, 2007
Entry for September 27, 2007
09/27/2007 03:48 pm
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0 Pageviews..Our baby is at daycare today. We will be taking her someplace (don't know if this is the right place or not) at least once a week, just so she can have some fun with other dogs.
We visited Dog Day Afternoon in Leesburg and it was ok. It's basically an open area with foldable pens with groups of dogs in it. There are a couple of side "playrooms" and kennel runs for out of control dogs. Like I said, it was ok - I figure it's not a big deal for Esa - she'll just be happy being around the other dogs.
Dan dropped her off this morning around 9 am and called me when he got home - upset, concerned, and guilty for leaving her there..
He said that they kind of rushed him out of there - grabbed her leash and put her in a pen by herself until she got used to it. He really didn't get a chance to say goodbye to her and her tail was between her legs and ears back (always how she is when she's not sure). She was like that when we went there to visit last week too, but after 5 minutes, tail up and wagging.
Dan said he left and sat in the car a few minutes and almost went back in and picked her up. I told him to call in a couple of hours and see how she's doing - I'm sure she has been fine all day and probably has a new buddy. I haven't heard from him so I don't know if he called or not. He told me to call him after I pick her up so he can find out how she did.
Now, you know why we'll NEVER have kids - can you imagine!
09/27/2007 03:48 pm
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0 Pageviews..Our baby is at daycare today. We will be taking her someplace (don't know if this is the right place or not) at least once a week, just so she can have some fun with other dogs.
We visited Dog Day Afternoon in Leesburg and it was ok. It's basically an open area with foldable pens with groups of dogs in it. There are a couple of side "playrooms" and kennel runs for out of control dogs. Like I said, it was ok - I figure it's not a big deal for Esa - she'll just be happy being around the other dogs.
Dan dropped her off this morning around 9 am and called me when he got home - upset, concerned, and guilty for leaving her there..
He said that they kind of rushed him out of there - grabbed her leash and put her in a pen by herself until she got used to it. He really didn't get a chance to say goodbye to her and her tail was between her legs and ears back (always how she is when she's not sure). She was like that when we went there to visit last week too, but after 5 minutes, tail up and wagging.
Dan said he left and sat in the car a few minutes and almost went back in and picked her up. I told him to call in a couple of hours and see how she's doing - I'm sure she has been fine all day and probably has a new buddy. I haven't heard from him so I don't know if he called or not. He told me to call him after I pick her up so he can find out how she did.
Now, you know why we'll NEVER have kids - can you imagine!
Entry for September 27, 2007
Entry for September 27, 2007
09/27/2007 04:01 pm
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I just had to post this -
Mullets Galore
What is it? Growing up in the 1980s, I still clearly remember the legions of dudes with names like Scott and Rusty who always wore "frosted" Levis 501s (tight), hard-rock and metal tour T-shirts (Night Ranger, Megadeth), white high-top basketball shoes (loosely laced at the top), and on their heads the coup de grâce, the crown of their identities, the mullet haircut. These creatures were known to the rest of us as "frosted short-longs." I sometimes saw them from an upside-down position as they held me by the feet, yelling "You like that, [expletive omitted]?" Ah, the sunny days of youth. Anyway, the mullet remains a fascinating cultural artifact, and Mullets Galore has been documenting it better and longer than anyone. The site has broken the notorious short-in-front-long-in-back hairstyle (aka "business in the front, party in the back") into perhaps 30 subcategories, including the Euromullet, the Camaro-mullet, the Classic Mullet, and the Femullet. A must-see.
09/27/2007 04:01 pm
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I just had to post this -
Mullets Galore
What is it? Growing up in the 1980s, I still clearly remember the legions of dudes with names like Scott and Rusty who always wore "frosted" Levis 501s (tight), hard-rock and metal tour T-shirts (Night Ranger, Megadeth), white high-top basketball shoes (loosely laced at the top), and on their heads the coup de grâce, the crown of their identities, the mullet haircut. These creatures were known to the rest of us as "frosted short-longs." I sometimes saw them from an upside-down position as they held me by the feet, yelling "You like that, [expletive omitted]?" Ah, the sunny days of youth. Anyway, the mullet remains a fascinating cultural artifact, and Mullets Galore has been documenting it better and longer than anyone. The site has broken the notorious short-in-front-long-in-back hairstyle (aka "business in the front, party in the back") into perhaps 30 subcategories, including the Euromullet, the Camaro-mullet, the Classic Mullet, and the Femullet. A must-see.
Entry for September 28, 2007
Entry for September 28, 2007.
09/28/2007 12:56 pm
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Esa did VERY well at the daycare yesterday. She was returned in one piece and when I walked in I could tell she was having fun. She glanced over at me when I called her name, but then continued with the "pack" she was with.
I was told she was shy at first and they had her playing with a cocker spaniel, Rocky, a while then she was put into the "party pen" with about 5 other dogs. I could tell she was having fun. She was still full of energy when we walked out (beside being REALLY thirsty), but then calmed down in the car.
She almost didn't make it to the house! Almost as soon as she got in the house, she layed down. She opened her eyes a couple of times and got up a little bit when I was in the kitchen or to get food or a drink, but that was about it. She picked up one of her toys and brought it over to me, but wasn't interested in playing catch. She headed towards it and then just layed down.
Today, Dan said that she's slow moving. I guess it really wore her out yesterday! Poor pup - at least she had fun!
09/28/2007 12:56 pm
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Esa did VERY well at the daycare yesterday. She was returned in one piece and when I walked in I could tell she was having fun. She glanced over at me when I called her name, but then continued with the "pack" she was with.
I was told she was shy at first and they had her playing with a cocker spaniel, Rocky, a while then she was put into the "party pen" with about 5 other dogs. I could tell she was having fun. She was still full of energy when we walked out (beside being REALLY thirsty), but then calmed down in the car.
She almost didn't make it to the house! Almost as soon as she got in the house, she layed down. She opened her eyes a couple of times and got up a little bit when I was in the kitchen or to get food or a drink, but that was about it. She picked up one of her toys and brought it over to me, but wasn't interested in playing catch. She headed towards it and then just layed down.
Today, Dan said that she's slow moving. I guess it really wore her out yesterday! Poor pup - at least she had fun!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Entry for September 25, 2007
Entry for September 25, 2007.
09/25/2007 07:48 pm
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Esa is such a traffic stopper! Seriously!
Last night on our walk - we were at the open field/park down the street that is surrounded by streets. This car was coming down the main street and turned down the side street just so they could yell at me "We love your dog!" They didn't stop or anything - just kept driving round the block back to the original main street and continued on their way.
When we first got her - so many people driving by would strain their neck just to look at her. I'm sure I'd do the same thing - she's just a pretty doggy! At first I wasn't sure what to say to people, now I just say "thank you" whenever they comment how pretty she is.
Yes, I'm a proud momma!
09/25/2007 07:48 pm
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Esa is such a traffic stopper! Seriously!
Last night on our walk - we were at the open field/park down the street that is surrounded by streets. This car was coming down the main street and turned down the side street just so they could yell at me "We love your dog!" They didn't stop or anything - just kept driving round the block back to the original main street and continued on their way.
When we first got her - so many people driving by would strain their neck just to look at her. I'm sure I'd do the same thing - she's just a pretty doggy! At first I wasn't sure what to say to people, now I just say "thank you" whenever they comment how pretty she is.
Yes, I'm a proud momma!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Entry for September 22, 2007
Entry for September 22, 2007.
09/22/2007 05:07 pm
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Esa started obedience classes again today - there are 5 other dogs in the class, so it's a challenge to keep her (along with some of the other dogs) focused. I thought she did well though considering. She hasn't been around other dogs in a classroom setting. She's always socialized with the neighborhood dogs, but that's about it.
Tomorrow we are going to the corn maize in Leesburg. We always go and always have a lot of fun. I think this year it's bigger than usual.
09/22/2007 05:07 pm
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Esa started obedience classes again today - there are 5 other dogs in the class, so it's a challenge to keep her (along with some of the other dogs) focused. I thought she did well though considering. She hasn't been around other dogs in a classroom setting. She's always socialized with the neighborhood dogs, but that's about it.
Tomorrow we are going to the corn maize in Leesburg. We always go and always have a lot of fun. I think this year it's bigger than usual.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Friday Five - September 21, 2007
Friday Five - September 21, 2007.
09/22/2007 04:52 pm
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0 Pageviews..A Random Friday Five:
1. What is your favorite season? Spring
2. What is your favorite warm beverage? Chia Tea
3. What is your favorite sport or hobby? hockey for sport, scrapbooking for hobby
4. What is your favorite style/type of music? hard rock (all of the hairbands from the late 80's, early 90's)
5. What is your favorite thing to do on a cool rainy (or otherwise inclement) Autumn day? watch TV all day - mostly movies.
09/22/2007 04:52 pm
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0 Pageviews..A Random Friday Five:
1. What is your favorite season? Spring
2. What is your favorite warm beverage? Chia Tea
3. What is your favorite sport or hobby? hockey for sport, scrapbooking for hobby
4. What is your favorite style/type of music? hard rock (all of the hairbands from the late 80's, early 90's)
5. What is your favorite thing to do on a cool rainy (or otherwise inclement) Autumn day? watch TV all day - mostly movies.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
LLLLEEEEEOOOOOO!!!!!!!.
LLLLEEEEEOOOOOO!!!!!!!.
09/19/2007 12:05 pm
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Well - excitement at the airport today.
Leo DiCaprio was filming a scene for his new film - Body of Lies. Sandy and I were told that Russell Crowe was filming upstairs - so we go up there looking for him and who's there - LEO! I think both Sandy and I were excited to see him instead of Russell.
We were upstairs for probably about 30 minutes. No pictures were allowed though. And of course it was all blocked off. Sandy and I swear the body guard (or who we thought was a body guard - he kept watching the crowd) was just watching us - being the celebrity stauckers that we are. Or it could be, he could tell we were calling him Vin Diesel.
09/19/2007 12:05 pm
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Well - excitement at the airport today.
Leo DiCaprio was filming a scene for his new film - Body of Lies. Sandy and I were told that Russell Crowe was filming upstairs - so we go up there looking for him and who's there - LEO! I think both Sandy and I were excited to see him instead of Russell.
We were upstairs for probably about 30 minutes. No pictures were allowed though. And of course it was all blocked off. Sandy and I swear the body guard (or who we thought was a body guard - he kept watching the crowd) was just watching us - being the celebrity stauckers that we are. Or it could be, he could tell we were calling him Vin Diesel.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Entry for September 17, 2007
Entry for September 17, 2007
09/17/2007 09:08 pm
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YIKES! It's been 9 days since I last posted?
Work has been stressful - I feel like all of the responsibility is on me - just because I know what needs to be done and how to do it. I ended up going for a massage on Friday. I was in pain.
Friday night, it was let off some steam time. Suzanne & I went to Rams Head Live in Baltimore to see Tesla play. Tesla is Suzanne's favorite band.
The weekend was just hanging out. We went to lunch with Pam (co-worker) then Dan went to work while I went shopping (grocery and drugstore), then walked Esa. Sunday was just hanging out at home and going out to Chipotle for lunch.
Besides that, nothing too new. Esa starts her classes again on Saturday. Should be interesting. There are other dogs in this class - we'll see how she does with distractions. Of course, she just lays down and waits for the other dogs to come to her.
I had a bunch of that tonight. We were on the last stretch and a guy was walking two dogs. Esa basically lays down in the road and I have to pull her to the sidewalk. The other dogs are all excited and want to come see Esa, but the owner just makes them sit and calm down. Me, I can't get Esa to "leave it". She finally does. I figured out the secret to getting her to walk when she's decided to stop - a plastic bottle. It got her going with only 1 stop instead of the usual 5.
09/17/2007 09:08 pm
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YIKES! It's been 9 days since I last posted?
Work has been stressful - I feel like all of the responsibility is on me - just because I know what needs to be done and how to do it. I ended up going for a massage on Friday. I was in pain.
Friday night, it was let off some steam time. Suzanne & I went to Rams Head Live in Baltimore to see Tesla play. Tesla is Suzanne's favorite band.
The weekend was just hanging out. We went to lunch with Pam (co-worker) then Dan went to work while I went shopping (grocery and drugstore), then walked Esa. Sunday was just hanging out at home and going out to Chipotle for lunch.
Besides that, nothing too new. Esa starts her classes again on Saturday. Should be interesting. There are other dogs in this class - we'll see how she does with distractions. Of course, she just lays down and waits for the other dogs to come to her.
I had a bunch of that tonight. We were on the last stretch and a guy was walking two dogs. Esa basically lays down in the road and I have to pull her to the sidewalk. The other dogs are all excited and want to come see Esa, but the owner just makes them sit and calm down. Me, I can't get Esa to "leave it". She finally does. I figured out the secret to getting her to walk when she's decided to stop - a plastic bottle. It got her going with only 1 stop instead of the usual 5.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Entry for September 08, 2007
Entry for September 08, 2007.
09/08/2007 09:35 am
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0 Pageviews..Back to reality -
It's a regular weekend - need to do laundry and buy some groceries (since the frig is empty from being away all week).
We already took Esa on her walk and now she's ready for her nap. Nothing exciting to report yet. I'm so behind on posting pictures - still need to post from Canada. I don't like the fact that Yahoo photos is no longer. It was so easy. Now, I have to do twice as much work when posting. I swear, I'll eventually get them posted.
09/08/2007 09:35 am
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0 Pageviews..Back to reality -
It's a regular weekend - need to do laundry and buy some groceries (since the frig is empty from being away all week).
We already took Esa on her walk and now she's ready for her nap. Nothing exciting to report yet. I'm so behind on posting pictures - still need to post from Canada. I don't like the fact that Yahoo photos is no longer. It was so easy. Now, I have to do twice as much work when posting. I swear, I'll eventually get them posted.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Entry for September 02 to Sept. 07, 2007 - the cruise to Bermuda.
Entry for September 02 to Sept. 07, 2007 - the cruise to Bermuda.
09/08/2007 09:32 am
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0 Pageviews..September 7, 2007 (typed on the 8th) - getting off the ship.....
Yesterday went well, we were on our way home by 9:30 a.m. We went straight home then stopped for lunch at Chipotle before picking up Esa. She's GROWN! We both can tell she's filled out some. She did very well at grandma & grandpa's and sounds like they had fun with her.
I skipped SP's final luncheon with the National group and MWAA. I was just so tired yesterday and we still had a lot to get done. Plus, my tummy wasn't doing very well. I guess all of that food caught up with me!
September 6, 2007 - 9:15 p.m. - on the way back to Baltimore
Last full day on the ship today!
We woke up a little later than we expected - even with the extra hour. So, we missed the first seminars we wanted to go to at 10 a.m. (towel origami for Dan & a spa seminar for me). We went to breakfast and then decided to participate in the slot tournament. That was a lot of fun. We both ended up in the final round. I won my round and Dan got 3rd place in his. I was running in 3rd the whole final round and then the guy next to me past me. I would of won a t-shirt. First prize got $225 and 2nd prize was $97.
The afternoon was busy - Dan participated in napkin folding, trivia and suduko (where he won a medal!) while I went to scrapbooking and the last art auction. We then went to another trivia together.
We went to the last final show that featured a former olympian. We got an autograph and a picture with him. Now it's backing and back at port by 8 a.m. tomorrow morning.
September 5, 2007 - 10:30 - way back to Baltimore
9 years ago today - we got married! It doesn't seem that long.
We finished our shopping in the Naval Dockyard where there boat is docked. We still didn't know what to get Harry for watching Esa. We found a wedgwood dish and a painting of what is on the dish for Lois, but didn't see anything that caught our eye for Harry. We finally decided on two shirts from the ship and a little shotglass stein.
Dan wasn't too happy that I got him something for our anniversary since we decided we were going to get something while on the ship. I really didn't see anything that I liked while we were shopping - yesterday or today. Dan got me "The Dog Whisperer" DVD. I can't wait to watch it!
We left Bermuda at 3:30. We were already on the ship since we were done with the shopping. This afternoon was dollar origami (for Dan), a scrapbooking workshop (I just picked up diecuts), another art auction (I think we're done buying, but did see some items we liked), music trivia (mostly musicals, so we didn't do very well) and then a show.
The day will be packed with things to do tomorrow - seems like everything we want to go to is at the same time! Also, it'll be time to pack. :( I do look forward to seeing the baby girl, though!
September 4, 2007 - 11:15 p.m. - BERMUDA!
I'm so tired - my knees really hurt. We did so much walking today.
We started the day with a ferry ride to Hamilton and then directly onto a bus for a tour of the island. We had a great bus driver (with an attitude), but it ended up a good attitude. She just was taking control of the situation.
First "stop" was a drive through of the botanical gardens. The driver gave out a lot of good information. Next was John Smith's Bay where the driver said it was the pinkest beach. I just couldn't see the "pink". The Aquarium and Zoo, then an old fort (Fort St. Catherine). I was not impressed with the fort, but loved the view. Each stop was very short - about 30 minutes each. The end point was St. George, where we went to the perfume factory and the one store where we bought a replacement print that was lost/stolen. Then the ferry back to the ship. Before getting on the ship, we went to the rum cake factory and glass factory. Back to the ship for dinner and then back out for the festival.
I did a little shopping at the local vendors and then we watched the local marching band and pipe corp.
September 3, 2007 - 5:30 p.m. - at sea
Today started with a scrapbooking seminar - but the thing is, it wasn't really. They just had construction paper, regular glue sticks and scrapbooking punches and scissors. I made the best of it and did a couple of 8 1/2 X 11 pages on the construction paper and used what punches they had. They did have some good punch outs - the word cruise and vacation, suitcases, tags and ships.
12 noon was the Bermuda shopping seminar. We got a free drawing of a local artist in Bermuda that has a store there, but by 2 p.m. Dan had misplaced it at the Suduko seminar that he went to (and won a Royal Carribean pen).
2 p.m. was the art auction. I just wanted to go for the raffle and the free print that you got, but we ended up seeing a couple of prints that we liked. The first one, struck a chord with the both of us - it's of Garfield and Jon with Garfield on a leash and Jon pulling him with the word Stubborn. OH how much that reminds us of Esa! So I put a pre-bid on it and we won it!
The other ones that we liked were of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, NY City, a garden one and one of Garfield and Norman Rockwell. Well, we ended up getting the Garfield and Norman Rockwell one! You can never go wrong with the cartoons (esspecially with us)!
The auction didn't end until late, so we just finished getting a snack. They are having the formal dinner tonight, and we are skipping it. We are really enjoying the buffet area.
10:30 p.m.
dinner and then paying for our art pieces. We ended up buying two more pieces. Also bought a picture of Dan when he was up by the pool today. When we came back to our room, we had a little surprise. The state attendent made a towel origami (I'll have to post the picture) of a dog watching tv with Dan's sunglasses on and the remot in it's paw, with a diet coke holding it's head up.
Tomorrow is Bermuda!
September 2, 2007 - 8:10 p.m. - sailing off!
Man, it's weird not having the pup around today. Dan was already missing her by the time we got home from his mom's yesterday!
The morning trip to Baltimore went well with a few detours. I was busy reading a magazine when Dan missed the turn for 495 and we ended up going to 66 and making a u-turn. Then when we got to Baltimore, the first detour was from me skipping a line in the directions. When we did get to the terminal that the directions told us to go to, the ship wasn't there so we had to do another u-turn and go back in the direction we came. We finally got to the terminal and everything went well. Until Dan realized he didn't have his license. He had taken it out at the first terminal so that we could do a u-turn. So Dan had to go back out to the car to get his license. He didn't need it since we had our passports, but he would have been worrying about it the whole cruise if he didn't know where it was. I don't blame him.
We've ate so much today! We went to the buffet when we got here and we went there for dinner too - we skipped the "formal" dining. It isn't formal except tomorrow, but we're both getting tired. We've gone to the casino (Dan took blackjack lessons and I did $10 in slots), did a trivia contest, did some shopping at the onboard shops (no great shopping in this ship - just picked up some postcards), bought our boarding picture, and have done A LOT of walking.
We're heading off to movie music trivia and then at 10 p.m., there's giveaways. Then it'll probably be bedtime for me.
BTW - the boat is rocking. I don't remember feeling it like this when we took the cruise the first time. I did rock late in the cruise, but this has basically started since we pushed off.
9:25 p.m.
We won the movie music trivia! There were 3 other teams and we got 21 points. The next closest was 17 points. We won 2 keychains (and bragging rights).
Oh - Dan is wearing his "Dan the Man" shirt today and boy, is that a hit! Even since we got to the ship terminal people have been saying something about it - "watch out, here comes Dan the man" "Is your name really Dan?" "There he is, Dan the man again!"
Dan's off at the arcade and we're meeting up for the giveaways at 10 p.m. I'll check in tomorrow. This seems to work well for keeping track of the trip!
09/08/2007 09:32 am
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0 Pageviews..September 7, 2007 (typed on the 8th) - getting off the ship.....
Yesterday went well, we were on our way home by 9:30 a.m. We went straight home then stopped for lunch at Chipotle before picking up Esa. She's GROWN! We both can tell she's filled out some. She did very well at grandma & grandpa's and sounds like they had fun with her.
I skipped SP's final luncheon with the National group and MWAA. I was just so tired yesterday and we still had a lot to get done. Plus, my tummy wasn't doing very well. I guess all of that food caught up with me!
September 6, 2007 - 9:15 p.m. - on the way back to Baltimore
Last full day on the ship today!
We woke up a little later than we expected - even with the extra hour. So, we missed the first seminars we wanted to go to at 10 a.m. (towel origami for Dan & a spa seminar for me). We went to breakfast and then decided to participate in the slot tournament. That was a lot of fun. We both ended up in the final round. I won my round and Dan got 3rd place in his. I was running in 3rd the whole final round and then the guy next to me past me. I would of won a t-shirt. First prize got $225 and 2nd prize was $97.
The afternoon was busy - Dan participated in napkin folding, trivia and suduko (where he won a medal!) while I went to scrapbooking and the last art auction. We then went to another trivia together.
We went to the last final show that featured a former olympian. We got an autograph and a picture with him. Now it's backing and back at port by 8 a.m. tomorrow morning.
September 5, 2007 - 10:30 - way back to Baltimore
9 years ago today - we got married! It doesn't seem that long.
We finished our shopping in the Naval Dockyard where there boat is docked. We still didn't know what to get Harry for watching Esa. We found a wedgwood dish and a painting of what is on the dish for Lois, but didn't see anything that caught our eye for Harry. We finally decided on two shirts from the ship and a little shotglass stein.
Dan wasn't too happy that I got him something for our anniversary since we decided we were going to get something while on the ship. I really didn't see anything that I liked while we were shopping - yesterday or today. Dan got me "The Dog Whisperer" DVD. I can't wait to watch it!
We left Bermuda at 3:30. We were already on the ship since we were done with the shopping. This afternoon was dollar origami (for Dan), a scrapbooking workshop (I just picked up diecuts), another art auction (I think we're done buying, but did see some items we liked), music trivia (mostly musicals, so we didn't do very well) and then a show.
The day will be packed with things to do tomorrow - seems like everything we want to go to is at the same time! Also, it'll be time to pack. :( I do look forward to seeing the baby girl, though!
September 4, 2007 - 11:15 p.m. - BERMUDA!
I'm so tired - my knees really hurt. We did so much walking today.
We started the day with a ferry ride to Hamilton and then directly onto a bus for a tour of the island. We had a great bus driver (with an attitude), but it ended up a good attitude. She just was taking control of the situation.
First "stop" was a drive through of the botanical gardens. The driver gave out a lot of good information. Next was John Smith's Bay where the driver said it was the pinkest beach. I just couldn't see the "pink". The Aquarium and Zoo, then an old fort (Fort St. Catherine). I was not impressed with the fort, but loved the view. Each stop was very short - about 30 minutes each. The end point was St. George, where we went to the perfume factory and the one store where we bought a replacement print that was lost/stolen. Then the ferry back to the ship. Before getting on the ship, we went to the rum cake factory and glass factory. Back to the ship for dinner and then back out for the festival.
I did a little shopping at the local vendors and then we watched the local marching band and pipe corp.
September 3, 2007 - 5:30 p.m. - at sea
Today started with a scrapbooking seminar - but the thing is, it wasn't really. They just had construction paper, regular glue sticks and scrapbooking punches and scissors. I made the best of it and did a couple of 8 1/2 X 11 pages on the construction paper and used what punches they had. They did have some good punch outs - the word cruise and vacation, suitcases, tags and ships.
12 noon was the Bermuda shopping seminar. We got a free drawing of a local artist in Bermuda that has a store there, but by 2 p.m. Dan had misplaced it at the Suduko seminar that he went to (and won a Royal Carribean pen).
2 p.m. was the art auction. I just wanted to go for the raffle and the free print that you got, but we ended up seeing a couple of prints that we liked. The first one, struck a chord with the both of us - it's of Garfield and Jon with Garfield on a leash and Jon pulling him with the word Stubborn. OH how much that reminds us of Esa! So I put a pre-bid on it and we won it!
The other ones that we liked were of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, NY City, a garden one and one of Garfield and Norman Rockwell. Well, we ended up getting the Garfield and Norman Rockwell one! You can never go wrong with the cartoons (esspecially with us)!
The auction didn't end until late, so we just finished getting a snack. They are having the formal dinner tonight, and we are skipping it. We are really enjoying the buffet area.
10:30 p.m.
dinner and then paying for our art pieces. We ended up buying two more pieces. Also bought a picture of Dan when he was up by the pool today. When we came back to our room, we had a little surprise. The state attendent made a towel origami (I'll have to post the picture) of a dog watching tv with Dan's sunglasses on and the remot in it's paw, with a diet coke holding it's head up.
Tomorrow is Bermuda!
September 2, 2007 - 8:10 p.m. - sailing off!
Man, it's weird not having the pup around today. Dan was already missing her by the time we got home from his mom's yesterday!
The morning trip to Baltimore went well with a few detours. I was busy reading a magazine when Dan missed the turn for 495 and we ended up going to 66 and making a u-turn. Then when we got to Baltimore, the first detour was from me skipping a line in the directions. When we did get to the terminal that the directions told us to go to, the ship wasn't there so we had to do another u-turn and go back in the direction we came. We finally got to the terminal and everything went well. Until Dan realized he didn't have his license. He had taken it out at the first terminal so that we could do a u-turn. So Dan had to go back out to the car to get his license. He didn't need it since we had our passports, but he would have been worrying about it the whole cruise if he didn't know where it was. I don't blame him.
We've ate so much today! We went to the buffet when we got here and we went there for dinner too - we skipped the "formal" dining. It isn't formal except tomorrow, but we're both getting tired. We've gone to the casino (Dan took blackjack lessons and I did $10 in slots), did a trivia contest, did some shopping at the onboard shops (no great shopping in this ship - just picked up some postcards), bought our boarding picture, and have done A LOT of walking.
We're heading off to movie music trivia and then at 10 p.m., there's giveaways. Then it'll probably be bedtime for me.
BTW - the boat is rocking. I don't remember feeling it like this when we took the cruise the first time. I did rock late in the cruise, but this has basically started since we pushed off.
9:25 p.m.
We won the movie music trivia! There were 3 other teams and we got 21 points. The next closest was 17 points. We won 2 keychains (and bragging rights).
Oh - Dan is wearing his "Dan the Man" shirt today and boy, is that a hit! Even since we got to the ship terminal people have been saying something about it - "watch out, here comes Dan the man" "Is your name really Dan?" "There he is, Dan the man again!"
Dan's off at the arcade and we're meeting up for the giveaways at 10 p.m. I'll check in tomorrow. This seems to work well for keeping track of the trip!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Entry for September 01, 2007.
Entry for September 01, 2007.
09/01/2007 07:22 am
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Well, yesterday was my last day working with SP. Whoever knew I would have mixed feelings? It's going to be weird just because we've been together for 7 years. We've had our ups and downs, but mostly ups. Good days and bad days, but mostly good. She'd get on my nerves and I'm sure I'd get on hers, but you know what? That's what happens when you're friends and not just co-workers.
Yesterday, we (Steph, me and Sandy) went out to Harry's Tap Room for lunch with the MWAA contacts (Colleen, Kim & Eugene) for one last time. I did a little presentation since it was our last day together. I forgot to e-mail it to myself, so I'll have to post it later. Anyway, it was just a couple of the funny things that have happen to us over the years. I think SP enjoyed it.
Anyway, I'm proud of SP and I know she'll do great. I also know that we'll keep in touch.
09/01/2007 07:22 am
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Well, yesterday was my last day working with SP. Whoever knew I would have mixed feelings? It's going to be weird just because we've been together for 7 years. We've had our ups and downs, but mostly ups. Good days and bad days, but mostly good. She'd get on my nerves and I'm sure I'd get on hers, but you know what? That's what happens when you're friends and not just co-workers.
Yesterday, we (Steph, me and Sandy) went out to Harry's Tap Room for lunch with the MWAA contacts (Colleen, Kim & Eugene) for one last time. I did a little presentation since it was our last day together. I forgot to e-mail it to myself, so I'll have to post it later. Anyway, it was just a couple of the funny things that have happen to us over the years. I think SP enjoyed it.
Anyway, I'm proud of SP and I know she'll do great. I also know that we'll keep in touch.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Entry for August 28, 2007
Entry for August 28, 2007.
08/28/2007 09:11 am
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Who knew that this cartoon was going to be so fitting in my life when I got it MONTHS ago.
Dan and I collect magnets where ever we go on vacation, day trips,etc. and have them on our refrigerator. Well, Esa has been getting taller and taller, so we have to keep moving the magnets higher.
Last night she was at it, trying to get the magnets and I even squirted her with water a couple of times to leave them alone. That was right after I got home from work. When it was almost bedtime for her and she started her wandering (which she usually does when she's getting tired, just trying to find a place to lay down), and she ended up on the other side of the dining room table with what a thought was a toy. I even said to her - "what toy do you have?", but didn't get up to see. WELL - I finally got up to see what toy she had and found pieces of what was left of a magnet.
Nice. Add a magnet to what has been lost to the pup.
08/28/2007 09:11 am
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Who knew that this cartoon was going to be so fitting in my life when I got it MONTHS ago.
Dan and I collect magnets where ever we go on vacation, day trips,etc. and have them on our refrigerator. Well, Esa has been getting taller and taller, so we have to keep moving the magnets higher.
Last night she was at it, trying to get the magnets and I even squirted her with water a couple of times to leave them alone. That was right after I got home from work. When it was almost bedtime for her and she started her wandering (which she usually does when she's getting tired, just trying to find a place to lay down), and she ended up on the other side of the dining room table with what a thought was a toy. I even said to her - "what toy do you have?", but didn't get up to see. WELL - I finally got up to see what toy she had and found pieces of what was left of a magnet.
Nice. Add a magnet to what has been lost to the pup.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Entry for August 26, 2007
Entry for August 26, 2007
08/26/2007 02:04 pm
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Weekend is winding down.
Yesterday, we didn't do too much. We walked Esa twice, went out for lunch, grocery store & picked up the Jeep from the mechanic (oil change and 2 noises that they didn't hear when it was in the garage - one I know is the power steering and the other is a big CLANK every once in awhile when you come to a stop). A thunderstorm in the afternoon - which left us without power for an hour - which is really weird since ALL of our utilities are underground.
Today, it was walking the pup and going to the mall. I MADE OUT! I got a couple of pair of shorts, two tops and a purse - Dan got three shirts and three pants. Ended up paying about $200, but saved about $150!
08/26/2007 02:04 pm
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Weekend is winding down.
Yesterday, we didn't do too much. We walked Esa twice, went out for lunch, grocery store & picked up the Jeep from the mechanic (oil change and 2 noises that they didn't hear when it was in the garage - one I know is the power steering and the other is a big CLANK every once in awhile when you come to a stop). A thunderstorm in the afternoon - which left us without power for an hour - which is really weird since ALL of our utilities are underground.
Today, it was walking the pup and going to the mall. I MADE OUT! I got a couple of pair of shorts, two tops and a purse - Dan got three shirts and three pants. Ended up paying about $200, but saved about $150!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Friday Five for August 24, 2007
Friday Five for August 24, 2007
08/24/2007 07:39 pm
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An Emotional Friday Five:
1. What was the last thing that made you laugh so hard you cried? it was probably when SP and I were working on the reforecast in my office (usually we work on it in her office) because the boss was there. I accidently hit the keyboard with my foot and SP let out this big "WHOA! YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?" We both started to laugh, but I couldn't stop laughing! Next thing, KP comes in "what the heck is going on?" I'm still laughing - SP tells the story and I start laughing MORE!
2. When was the last time you cried and what caused it? the other night - I just started crying. I think I was just really tired and couldn't handle keeping Esa active.
3. What has been you happiest moment so far? I'll say, my wedding day.
4. Who is the first person you call with happy or sad news? Why? Dan - he's the hubby and best friend. Second in line is Suzanne.
5. What are your hopes and dreams for the future? to be happy and enjoy life.
08/24/2007 07:39 pm
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An Emotional Friday Five:
1. What was the last thing that made you laugh so hard you cried? it was probably when SP and I were working on the reforecast in my office (usually we work on it in her office) because the boss was there. I accidently hit the keyboard with my foot and SP let out this big "WHOA! YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?" We both started to laugh, but I couldn't stop laughing! Next thing, KP comes in "what the heck is going on?" I'm still laughing - SP tells the story and I start laughing MORE!
2. When was the last time you cried and what caused it? the other night - I just started crying. I think I was just really tired and couldn't handle keeping Esa active.
3. What has been you happiest moment so far? I'll say, my wedding day.
4. Who is the first person you call with happy or sad news? Why? Dan - he's the hubby and best friend. Second in line is Suzanne.
5. What are your hopes and dreams for the future? to be happy and enjoy life.
Entry for August 24, 2007
Entry for August 24, 2007
08/24/2007 07:57 pm
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0 Pageviews..wow - what a last 24 hours.
I was chatting online with my niece, Chrissy, and found out that she wasn't going to college due to money. Come to find out that the "state university" costs ALOT and she really didn't want to commute. She could get loans, but her parents are not in a position to co-sign (long story) or at least will not until Chrissy decides on a major (which I can understand).
So, she'll be working - don't know where yet - no applications have been submitted. She's waiting for her babysitting job to finish and then she'll start looking. I'm disappointed. I might be living through my nieces and nephew, but I really thought the would continue school, know what they wanted to do and become successful. One thing I really regretted was not going to school for 4 years, but at the time I didn't think I could with the personal things that were going on (another long story).
Blow number one. Blow number two - my boss, SP gave her notice today. It came out of the blue - even for her. She's having mixed feelings about leaving, but she knows this is a good opportunity for her - and that's what she needs to do - look out for herself.
She said that Gerry (the new VP for our division) asked if I'd be interested in the GM position - I said no to her right then, because of the financial responsibility (and also the political issues). When we were walking out tonight, she said again, what do you want me to tell Gerry? me - I don't know. She said think about it. Where do I want my future to go with Westfield? I'm happy with the AGM position or Specialty Leasing (you know I always liked working the the carts, Joyce!). So, I'll have to do some thinking this weekend.
SP is going to be part of a consulting company for airports (a former airport authority employee's company) and is something that she has been thinking about over the years. The good thing about this - the job came to her - she wasn't even looking. You know it's meant to be if someone has come to you.
So, 2 weeks and we'll be without a boss in the office. I think CM & I will be handling things for awhile.
08/24/2007 07:57 pm
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0 Pageviews..wow - what a last 24 hours.
I was chatting online with my niece, Chrissy, and found out that she wasn't going to college due to money. Come to find out that the "state university" costs ALOT and she really didn't want to commute. She could get loans, but her parents are not in a position to co-sign (long story) or at least will not until Chrissy decides on a major (which I can understand).
So, she'll be working - don't know where yet - no applications have been submitted. She's waiting for her babysitting job to finish and then she'll start looking. I'm disappointed. I might be living through my nieces and nephew, but I really thought the would continue school, know what they wanted to do and become successful. One thing I really regretted was not going to school for 4 years, but at the time I didn't think I could with the personal things that were going on (another long story).
Blow number one. Blow number two - my boss, SP gave her notice today. It came out of the blue - even for her. She's having mixed feelings about leaving, but she knows this is a good opportunity for her - and that's what she needs to do - look out for herself.
She said that Gerry (the new VP for our division) asked if I'd be interested in the GM position - I said no to her right then, because of the financial responsibility (and also the political issues). When we were walking out tonight, she said again, what do you want me to tell Gerry? me - I don't know. She said think about it. Where do I want my future to go with Westfield? I'm happy with the AGM position or Specialty Leasing (you know I always liked working the the carts, Joyce!). So, I'll have to do some thinking this weekend.
SP is going to be part of a consulting company for airports (a former airport authority employee's company) and is something that she has been thinking about over the years. The good thing about this - the job came to her - she wasn't even looking. You know it's meant to be if someone has come to you.
So, 2 weeks and we'll be without a boss in the office. I think CM & I will be handling things for awhile.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Entry for August 22, 2007
Entry for August 22, 2007
08/22/2007 07:15 pm
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I stayed home from work today. My sinuses were bothering me - and still are. All I could think is because it's been raining for the last couple of days, the mold in the office is out in full force and I've been staying in the office the last couple of days.
So, I took Esa for a walk (about an hour) then finally took a nap. Dan twisted my arm to go to Chipotle, then came home. I tried to take another nap, but couldn't fall asleep. After Dan went to work, Esa and I went for another walk (another hour). I tried to sleep again, but no luck. Esa took a nap though. Then, she wanted to go out for another walk - another 20 minutes.
We just can't keep her inside now a days since it's so cool out. She has been loving this weather.
I've been hanging out watching a couple of movies. The Break-up with Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn and right now, Shakespeare in Love.
08/22/2007 07:15 pm
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I stayed home from work today. My sinuses were bothering me - and still are. All I could think is because it's been raining for the last couple of days, the mold in the office is out in full force and I've been staying in the office the last couple of days.
So, I took Esa for a walk (about an hour) then finally took a nap. Dan twisted my arm to go to Chipotle, then came home. I tried to take another nap, but couldn't fall asleep. After Dan went to work, Esa and I went for another walk (another hour). I tried to sleep again, but no luck. Esa took a nap though. Then, she wanted to go out for another walk - another 20 minutes.
We just can't keep her inside now a days since it's so cool out. She has been loving this weather.
I've been hanging out watching a couple of movies. The Break-up with Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn and right now, Shakespeare in Love.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Entry for August 21, 2007
Entry for August 21, 2007
08/21/2007 10:34 am
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WOW - it's been a week since the last post. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things at work and in two weeks, we'll be on vacation again! WOOHOO! LOL!
So, I'm ACTUALLY trying to get work done this week. Sunday was my MOD (manager on duty) day, and being in the office alone got me a little motivated and organized. I still have a lot of organizing to do (with just my to do list - it just grows and grows and grows - you former Westfield employees know what I mean!).
Last week, was just getting back into the swing of things and catching up on things (like the yard/flowerbeds). Evenings were busy walking Esa and/or hanging out in the yard doing yard work (pulling weeds, watering the yard, etc). The weekend was busy. Friday, I did some shopping - the Dollar Store (for toys for Esa) and Walmart. Saturday, Dan had a fantasy football draft while I went to his sister's house (Kristina) for her birthday. Both days it was nice to take Esa for a long walk in the morning and just take my time getting around. Then Sunday it was work.
We were supposed to go see Great White on Saturday night, but I was so tired by the time I got back from Kristina's I said forget it. I'm still tired. I even took a nap on Sunday night.
Esa had a nice 6 month birthday. ONE (yes, she has more than one) of her neighborhood boyfriends (Benny, a golden retriever) came by so they played for quite a while. They just LOVE each other.
Esa has a new trick that she picked up this week. Catching mid-air. Dan started with one of her toys ( I call it the devil dog - it's a red squeaky ball with feet and little horns ) and now she can catch almost everything. I haven't tried treats yet. I think they are too small to focus on.
Anyway, back to work.....
08/21/2007 10:34 am
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WOW - it's been a week since the last post. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things at work and in two weeks, we'll be on vacation again! WOOHOO! LOL!
So, I'm ACTUALLY trying to get work done this week. Sunday was my MOD (manager on duty) day, and being in the office alone got me a little motivated and organized. I still have a lot of organizing to do (with just my to do list - it just grows and grows and grows - you former Westfield employees know what I mean!).
Last week, was just getting back into the swing of things and catching up on things (like the yard/flowerbeds). Evenings were busy walking Esa and/or hanging out in the yard doing yard work (pulling weeds, watering the yard, etc). The weekend was busy. Friday, I did some shopping - the Dollar Store (for toys for Esa) and Walmart. Saturday, Dan had a fantasy football draft while I went to his sister's house (Kristina) for her birthday. Both days it was nice to take Esa for a long walk in the morning and just take my time getting around. Then Sunday it was work.
We were supposed to go see Great White on Saturday night, but I was so tired by the time I got back from Kristina's I said forget it. I'm still tired. I even took a nap on Sunday night.
Esa had a nice 6 month birthday. ONE (yes, she has more than one) of her neighborhood boyfriends (Benny, a golden retriever) came by so they played for quite a while. They just LOVE each other.
Esa has a new trick that she picked up this week. Catching mid-air. Dan started with one of her toys ( I call it the devil dog - it's a red squeaky ball with feet and little horns ) and now she can catch almost everything. I haven't tried treats yet. I think they are too small to focus on.
Anyway, back to work.....
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Entry for August 14, 2007
Entry for August 14, 2007
08/14/2007 10:14 am
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I can't believe Esa is 6 months old today. She's so big and is so smart! Everyday she listens better and adds to her personality with her little quirks.
Her latest thing is tearing her rope toys apart. Dan played with her quite a bit yesterday afternoon and they basically went through all of her rope toys - good thing they were only a dollar each!
Still trying to get back into the swing of things at work. Here it is 10:15 and I haven't really done anything yet (don't tell the boss!).
08/14/2007 10:14 am
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I can't believe Esa is 6 months old today. She's so big and is so smart! Everyday she listens better and adds to her personality with her little quirks.
Her latest thing is tearing her rope toys apart. Dan played with her quite a bit yesterday afternoon and they basically went through all of her rope toys - good thing they were only a dollar each!
Still trying to get back into the swing of things at work. Here it is 10:15 and I haven't really done anything yet (don't tell the boss!).
Monday, August 13, 2007
Entry for August 13, 2007
Entry for August 13, 2007
08/13/2007 04:46 pm
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0 Pageviews..Back at work - yuck.
I've spent most of the day catching up on e-mail and the papers in the inbox.
Dan went in to work at 9 a.m. for "training", so I had puppy duty this morning. Esa did not want to get up. She was sound asleep when Dan and I got up at 6:15. I finally got her out for a 20 minute walk about 6:45. I thought I was going to have to go home during lunch to let her out, but Dan is doing a split shift and will be going back in at 10 p.m. tonight. So, I'll be on puppy duty again tomorrow morning. I really don't mind. It actually helps get me going in the morning.
Sold a couple more items on Amazon.com - probably cleared about $14. Not bad.
Dan's decided to make a couple of eating habit changes. He told me last night to not buy him anymore soda. He's also going to start doing more veggies. He did it for a like a week before we went on vacation and then stopped.
Nothing else really exciting going on. Back to the grind.....
08/13/2007 04:46 pm
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0 Pageviews..Back at work - yuck.
I've spent most of the day catching up on e-mail and the papers in the inbox.
Dan went in to work at 9 a.m. for "training", so I had puppy duty this morning. Esa did not want to get up. She was sound asleep when Dan and I got up at 6:15. I finally got her out for a 20 minute walk about 6:45. I thought I was going to have to go home during lunch to let her out, but Dan is doing a split shift and will be going back in at 10 p.m. tonight. So, I'll be on puppy duty again tomorrow morning. I really don't mind. It actually helps get me going in the morning.
Sold a couple more items on Amazon.com - probably cleared about $14. Not bad.
Dan's decided to make a couple of eating habit changes. He told me last night to not buy him anymore soda. He's also going to start doing more veggies. He did it for a like a week before we went on vacation and then stopped.
Nothing else really exciting going on. Back to the grind.....
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Entry for August 6 to 9, 2007
Entry for August 6 to 9, 2007
08/12/2007 02:59 pm
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August 9, 2007
Yesterday was get out of the house day for me. I went shopping at the Dollarama (Dollar Store), the Bargin Shop (like the Family Dollar Store), a pet store, Walmart, and then the so-called "mall" that they have (of about 20 stores with about 7 of them restaurants).
I didn't get anything great - toys for Esa, shirts for Dan (he didn't pack enough short sleeve shirts), gifts for Mae, Chrissy & Suzanne (Canadian Idol shirts and a Canada pullover - I couldn't find anything for VJ).
Esa is doing great without us holding the lead. We have her on the long lead so if she starts to run, we can step on it.
Last night we had a bonfire and did smores (I had just marshmallows). Esa wasn't phased at all by the fire. She was more interested in the sticks.
I now know the Wentz family secret to staying skinny - never sitting still. Both Lois (Dan's mom) and Kristina (Dan's sister) cannot sit still. I didn't realize Kristina was like that until now. They are constantly getting up and doing something - cleaning, picking up/getting something, etc. Me on the other hand (and Dan), we'll do it later - as in the dishes - they can sit there, we'll figure out what we want for dinner about an hour before (we know we have the food, just need to decide). Kristina is such a mom - planning the meals for the whole week ahead. But, we are all getting along. No fights. Dan did get a little pissed at Kristina when we were trying to find a park. She was set on finding a particular park that they had been to before where there were "small" lift locks. We didn't care, we just wanted to walk in a park. Anyway, the 2nd park that we were at, supposedly was the one that Kristina was looking for!
I did mentioned to Dan about how much Kristina is like their mom - he's like "DON'T TELL HER THAT!" Which I knew not too. Needless to say, I'm happy with Dan's laid back style (at least when we are on vacation). He's really helped me to relax and realize there's no need to rush (except when needed).
August 7, 2007
Last night was something. First, I scared Dan - he thought I was falling out of bed - I was trying to get up (fast) because of a leg cramp. Then the 1950's fan that we had on started making a terrible noise. So much for some air circulating!
Today, it's off to the park in the next town over - they have a lot of trails throughout the city. Probably a run to Walmart too.
9:15 p.m.
We went to two parks today. Not the one we expected to go to, but we didn't care - anywhere we could walk the dog was good. The first place had this REALLY steep hill. I was totally out of breath from that one - good thing Esa was pulling me up. The view was awesome once we got there.
Then we went to another park and just walked around and watched the water lift locks. Stopped at Wendy's for a late lunch and then back to the cottage. Esa was so tired by that time! She took a nap and we took her out for her evening walk - she was ready for bed at 8 p.m. Right now she's crashed out on the deck.
The weather has been great here! In the 70's with a breeze and a little sun.
I've been working on my digital pictures and the Creative Memories software that I have along with making a digital scrapbook (then send it in for printing). I want to create one for the whole year and then eventually get rid of memorabilia (ticket stubs, brochures, etc.).
August 6, 2007
Enjoying the cottage - I've got quite a few nice pictures of the view. Esa is really enjoying it here (along with us!).
Esa did great on the 11 1/2 hour trip. She only got antsy the last half hour (along with us). Kristina & Parker got here about 12:30 and we showed up about 8 p.m. The neighbors next door were out along with their dog, a black Lab named Luka, so of course, Esa was in heaven. Luka is able run around without a lease - we're just not sure with Esa. She's doing really well when off the leash (on the deck) or switching leashes (short to long lead).
Yesterday was our first full day and we basically just hung out except for Dan and I going to the grocery store (A&P - haven't seen one of those in forever!)
Esa will not go into the water. She LOVES going onto the dock, but will NOT go in (sort of like her mom). Maybe if Luka was here (she loved to go in the water), Esa would go. She looks like she's almost ready to go in when Parker is in the water, so maybe if Dan goes in, she'll follow him.
We might to go to a park today. It's pretty humid for Canada, but looks like the wind is starting to blow, so it might end up a nice day
10 pm
We just hung out around the house today. Played ALOT with Esa. She ALMOST got in the paddleboat with Dan. I got a lot of good pictures with her on the dock and playing with Parker.
I've been using our old 35mm camera - I didn't realize that I had 2 more rolls of film. So hopefully, all of the pics are coming out well.
I'm a little sore from the walking and paddleboat - but it's all good.
We are testing Esa on how she does without a leash. We put her on the long lead (about 15 feet) and let her run around. If she starts running, we can step on the leash. She actually went "turbo" on me and ran around the yard like three times, but then stopped. Later on, she went turbo again, but I had ahold of the leash and she kept flipping when she came to the end of the leash. I'm surprised she didn't hurt herself.
When she goes turbo, it brings back memories. Our dogs used to ALWAYS go turbo when they got out of the pens. They would just do laps in the yard. I would just sit down in the yard and eventually they would calm down.
08/12/2007 02:59 pm
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August 9, 2007
Yesterday was get out of the house day for me. I went shopping at the Dollarama (Dollar Store), the Bargin Shop (like the Family Dollar Store), a pet store, Walmart, and then the so-called "mall" that they have (of about 20 stores with about 7 of them restaurants).
I didn't get anything great - toys for Esa, shirts for Dan (he didn't pack enough short sleeve shirts), gifts for Mae, Chrissy & Suzanne (Canadian Idol shirts and a Canada pullover - I couldn't find anything for VJ).
Esa is doing great without us holding the lead. We have her on the long lead so if she starts to run, we can step on it.
Last night we had a bonfire and did smores (I had just marshmallows). Esa wasn't phased at all by the fire. She was more interested in the sticks.
I now know the Wentz family secret to staying skinny - never sitting still. Both Lois (Dan's mom) and Kristina (Dan's sister) cannot sit still. I didn't realize Kristina was like that until now. They are constantly getting up and doing something - cleaning, picking up/getting something, etc. Me on the other hand (and Dan), we'll do it later - as in the dishes - they can sit there, we'll figure out what we want for dinner about an hour before (we know we have the food, just need to decide). Kristina is such a mom - planning the meals for the whole week ahead. But, we are all getting along. No fights. Dan did get a little pissed at Kristina when we were trying to find a park. She was set on finding a particular park that they had been to before where there were "small" lift locks. We didn't care, we just wanted to walk in a park. Anyway, the 2nd park that we were at, supposedly was the one that Kristina was looking for!
I did mentioned to Dan about how much Kristina is like their mom - he's like "DON'T TELL HER THAT!" Which I knew not too. Needless to say, I'm happy with Dan's laid back style (at least when we are on vacation). He's really helped me to relax and realize there's no need to rush (except when needed).
August 7, 2007
Last night was something. First, I scared Dan - he thought I was falling out of bed - I was trying to get up (fast) because of a leg cramp. Then the 1950's fan that we had on started making a terrible noise. So much for some air circulating!
Today, it's off to the park in the next town over - they have a lot of trails throughout the city. Probably a run to Walmart too.
9:15 p.m.
We went to two parks today. Not the one we expected to go to, but we didn't care - anywhere we could walk the dog was good. The first place had this REALLY steep hill. I was totally out of breath from that one - good thing Esa was pulling me up. The view was awesome once we got there.
Then we went to another park and just walked around and watched the water lift locks. Stopped at Wendy's for a late lunch and then back to the cottage. Esa was so tired by that time! She took a nap and we took her out for her evening walk - she was ready for bed at 8 p.m. Right now she's crashed out on the deck.
The weather has been great here! In the 70's with a breeze and a little sun.
I've been working on my digital pictures and the Creative Memories software that I have along with making a digital scrapbook (then send it in for printing). I want to create one for the whole year and then eventually get rid of memorabilia (ticket stubs, brochures, etc.).
August 6, 2007
Enjoying the cottage - I've got quite a few nice pictures of the view. Esa is really enjoying it here (along with us!).
Esa did great on the 11 1/2 hour trip. She only got antsy the last half hour (along with us). Kristina & Parker got here about 12:30 and we showed up about 8 p.m. The neighbors next door were out along with their dog, a black Lab named Luka, so of course, Esa was in heaven. Luka is able run around without a lease - we're just not sure with Esa. She's doing really well when off the leash (on the deck) or switching leashes (short to long lead).
Yesterday was our first full day and we basically just hung out except for Dan and I going to the grocery store (A&P - haven't seen one of those in forever!)
Esa will not go into the water. She LOVES going onto the dock, but will NOT go in (sort of like her mom). Maybe if Luka was here (she loved to go in the water), Esa would go. She looks like she's almost ready to go in when Parker is in the water, so maybe if Dan goes in, she'll follow him.
We might to go to a park today. It's pretty humid for Canada, but looks like the wind is starting to blow, so it might end up a nice day
10 pm
We just hung out around the house today. Played ALOT with Esa. She ALMOST got in the paddleboat with Dan. I got a lot of good pictures with her on the dock and playing with Parker.
I've been using our old 35mm camera - I didn't realize that I had 2 more rolls of film. So hopefully, all of the pics are coming out well.
I'm a little sore from the walking and paddleboat - but it's all good.
We are testing Esa on how she does without a leash. We put her on the long lead (about 15 feet) and let her run around. If she starts running, we can step on the leash. She actually went "turbo" on me and ran around the yard like three times, but then stopped. Later on, she went turbo again, but I had ahold of the leash and she kept flipping when she came to the end of the leash. I'm surprised she didn't hurt herself.
When she goes turbo, it brings back memories. Our dogs used to ALWAYS go turbo when they got out of the pens. They would just do laps in the yard. I would just sit down in the yard and eventually they would calm down.
Entry for August 12, 2007
Entry for August 12, 2007
08/12/2007 06:48 pm
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0 Pageviews..Well, time to get ready for the real world again.
The drive yesterday was long, but went well. Esa didn't get antsy until there was about 30 minutes left in the drive. Thank goodness!
Friday, Kristina & I just stuck around the cottage and Dan and Parker went frisbee golfing. We both got some scrapbooking done. I have like 2 or 3 more pages for Esa's book and then will need to get more inserts, paper and pictures.
Speaking of pictures - got a ton of them from Canada. Esa finally put all 4 legs in the water, but was still not that happy with the back legs in. She was so cute - she was getting rocks out of the water and then bringing them on the yard. I was really surprised that she was doing that. More about the trip later - but that's about all that we did. Just hang out and relaxed.
08/12/2007 06:48 pm
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0 Pageviews..Well, time to get ready for the real world again.
The drive yesterday was long, but went well. Esa didn't get antsy until there was about 30 minutes left in the drive. Thank goodness!
Friday, Kristina & I just stuck around the cottage and Dan and Parker went frisbee golfing. We both got some scrapbooking done. I have like 2 or 3 more pages for Esa's book and then will need to get more inserts, paper and pictures.
Speaking of pictures - got a ton of them from Canada. Esa finally put all 4 legs in the water, but was still not that happy with the back legs in. She was so cute - she was getting rocks out of the water and then bringing them on the yard. I was really surprised that she was doing that. More about the trip later - but that's about all that we did. Just hang out and relaxed.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Friday Five - August 3, 2007
Friday Five - August 3, 2007
08/03/2007 09:34 am
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Fun in the Summer:
1) Beach, lake, pool or other? BEACH!
2) Floaty, wave runner, paddle boat, canoe/kayak or other? paddle boat - i'm not one for being IN the water.
3) Gas grill or charcoal? Do you have a favorite grilled/charcoaled dish? now it's a gas grill - that Dan does the grilling on. Used to use charcoal in the old days - I have a picture of Aunt Helen grilling chicken - I'll have to find it and scan it in. I've never grilled, but ANY food that is grilled is good!
4) Nude beach or clothed? (have you ever been to a nude/partially nude beach? Feel free to share.) No desire to EVER go to a nude/partially nude beach! I don't want anyone to see my rolls or see anyone else's rolls!
5) Cold beer, mojitos, margaritas or other? Any frozen drink works in the summer! My favorite frozen drink is Wallabee Darn from Outback! YUMMY!
08/03/2007 09:34 am
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Fun in the Summer:
1) Beach, lake, pool or other? BEACH!
2) Floaty, wave runner, paddle boat, canoe/kayak or other? paddle boat - i'm not one for being IN the water.
3) Gas grill or charcoal? Do you have a favorite grilled/charcoaled dish? now it's a gas grill - that Dan does the grilling on. Used to use charcoal in the old days - I have a picture of Aunt Helen grilling chicken - I'll have to find it and scan it in. I've never grilled, but ANY food that is grilled is good!
4) Nude beach or clothed? (have you ever been to a nude/partially nude beach? Feel free to share.) No desire to EVER go to a nude/partially nude beach! I don't want anyone to see my rolls or see anyone else's rolls!
5) Cold beer, mojitos, margaritas or other? Any frozen drink works in the summer! My favorite frozen drink is Wallabee Darn from Outback! YUMMY!
Entry for August 03, 2007
Entry for August 03, 2007
08/03/2007 10:36 am
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WOOHOO - LAST DAY AT WORK BEFORE VACATION - trying to catch up before leaving. I'll admit it, I've been slacking. SP said we can leave at 5 p.m. today - I don't know what is up with her - it's totally unlike her. She must have something planned.
Dan took today off to do things around the house and get things ready. Also allow me time to pack while he watches Esa tonight. It'll also get him to bed earlier and hopefully we can get out of here early. All week he's been saying let's plan on leaving at 6 a.m. - I'm thinking "yeah, right!" This morning he finally realized there's no way we would get out of here by 6 a.m. and wanted to make sure it's put on record that he decided it today and not on Saturday when we are trying to get out of town.
I think I'm taking the laptop, but there is no internet connection at the cottage or anywhere close. We'd have to go to a "city" about 30 minutes away and hang out at a restuarant for wi-fi connection. That's also where all the action is - a park, zoo, shopping (grocery, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.).
OK - back to work - tons to do.
08/03/2007 10:36 am
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WOOHOO - LAST DAY AT WORK BEFORE VACATION - trying to catch up before leaving. I'll admit it, I've been slacking. SP said we can leave at 5 p.m. today - I don't know what is up with her - it's totally unlike her. She must have something planned.
Dan took today off to do things around the house and get things ready. Also allow me time to pack while he watches Esa tonight. It'll also get him to bed earlier and hopefully we can get out of here early. All week he's been saying let's plan on leaving at 6 a.m. - I'm thinking "yeah, right!" This morning he finally realized there's no way we would get out of here by 6 a.m. and wanted to make sure it's put on record that he decided it today and not on Saturday when we are trying to get out of town.
I think I'm taking the laptop, but there is no internet connection at the cottage or anywhere close. We'd have to go to a "city" about 30 minutes away and hang out at a restuarant for wi-fi connection. That's also where all the action is - a park, zoo, shopping (grocery, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.).
OK - back to work - tons to do.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Entry for August 02, 2007
Entry for August 02, 2007
08/02/2007 09:46 am
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Well, back to normal. It was just me and Esa last night, so she was very happy that mamma gave her all her attention.
Saturday is the big trip to Canada. Dan's getting so excited. I'm excited about having some time off, but I don't look forward to the drive. Everything should go well with Kristina & Parker (Dan's sister & nephew). I'm not worried about not getting along or getting on each others nerves.
I started the laundry to get the sheets and blankets together for the trip. Gathered the linens from the guest bedroom and what do I find - a pair of MY jeans! Which I could tell were worn (because of the wrinkles)! Luckily, I didn't miss them since I wear shorts in the summer (Mae only wears jeans).
Dan's taking tomorrow off so he can get to sleep early and give me time to pack while he watches Esa - and maybe a trip to Chipotle since we'll be without for a week!
08/02/2007 09:46 am
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Well, back to normal. It was just me and Esa last night, so she was very happy that mamma gave her all her attention.
Saturday is the big trip to Canada. Dan's getting so excited. I'm excited about having some time off, but I don't look forward to the drive. Everything should go well with Kristina & Parker (Dan's sister & nephew). I'm not worried about not getting along or getting on each others nerves.
I started the laundry to get the sheets and blankets together for the trip. Gathered the linens from the guest bedroom and what do I find - a pair of MY jeans! Which I could tell were worn (because of the wrinkles)! Luckily, I didn't miss them since I wear shorts in the summer (Mae only wears jeans).
Dan's taking tomorrow off so he can get to sleep early and give me time to pack while he watches Esa - and maybe a trip to Chipotle since we'll be without for a week!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Entry for August 01, 2007
Entry for August 01, 2007
08/01/2007 09:13 am
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Well, last night was painful.....
Mae & I planned on going to Tyson's Corner Mall - it's about 30 minutes away and Dulles Town Center is much closer, but I figured we already went there, so time to check out the other mall.
Got there - got a GREAT parking spot - like the 3rd one in. Went to the food court and had Desert Moon Cafe. Then the pain started.....We stopped at a shop that I wanted to go into, then to Urban Outfitters (which I though Mae would like and find something in). She did like it, but her main purpose (which I didn't know) was to go to Hot Topic. Needless to say, there isn't a Hot Topic at Tyson's Corner. So we went to Claire's. She found one thing there that she liked (a Pirates of the Caribbean keychain) and a belt, but the belt didn't fit. Went to the Sony Store (no Paramore (a band) posters there - which was also a main purpose of the trip), and then to Disney.
She just does NOT like shopping. I used to LOVE going to the mall when I was her age. Mae just isn't a girly girl.
By that time, it was like 9 p.m. and I still needed to get home and walk Esa. Esa & I did a short walk down the block, and since she was basically caged up the whole evening, she was full of energy. About 10:30, VJ (my nephew) came and Esa went TURBO (running like a crazy woman in the house). About 11 or so, I TRIED to go to bed and take Esa with me upstairs (using her travel crate). She would have nothing to do with it. Then I tried just having her out. She would not lay down. So, downstairs into her crate she went and I let Mae know, just let her bark. Of course, I couldn't get to sleep, so eventually, I went downstairs and got her to lay down in her crate and sleep. She finally went to sleep, but I heard her bark/whimper a little when VJ came home from Wegmans (his usual hang out at home and here). Needless to say, I probably didn't get to sleep until about 1 or so!
Tonight will be back to normal. VJ & Mae will heading out today about 12 noon. VJ had a car appointment at the Nissan dealership at 9 a.m., then they are going to the mall (so Mae can go to Hot Topic) and then hitting Chipotle so VJ can stock up and take burritos home.
A week just wasn't enough to visit. I doesn't seem like we did much (which I guess we really didn't). I think Mae agrees with me on that, but I hope she had fun while she was here. I enjoyed having her.
Oh, I'm in a national publication (Specialty Retail Report)- or should I say, my butt is! About 2 months ago, I went to a convention and I knew they took some pictures of me and my co-worker. It was in this month's publication. I'll scan it in and post it.
08/01/2007 09:13 am
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Well, last night was painful.....
Mae & I planned on going to Tyson's Corner Mall - it's about 30 minutes away and Dulles Town Center is much closer, but I figured we already went there, so time to check out the other mall.
Got there - got a GREAT parking spot - like the 3rd one in. Went to the food court and had Desert Moon Cafe. Then the pain started.....We stopped at a shop that I wanted to go into, then to Urban Outfitters (which I though Mae would like and find something in). She did like it, but her main purpose (which I didn't know) was to go to Hot Topic. Needless to say, there isn't a Hot Topic at Tyson's Corner. So we went to Claire's. She found one thing there that she liked (a Pirates of the Caribbean keychain) and a belt, but the belt didn't fit. Went to the Sony Store (no Paramore (a band) posters there - which was also a main purpose of the trip), and then to Disney.
She just does NOT like shopping. I used to LOVE going to the mall when I was her age. Mae just isn't a girly girl.
By that time, it was like 9 p.m. and I still needed to get home and walk Esa. Esa & I did a short walk down the block, and since she was basically caged up the whole evening, she was full of energy. About 10:30, VJ (my nephew) came and Esa went TURBO (running like a crazy woman in the house). About 11 or so, I TRIED to go to bed and take Esa with me upstairs (using her travel crate). She would have nothing to do with it. Then I tried just having her out. She would not lay down. So, downstairs into her crate she went and I let Mae know, just let her bark. Of course, I couldn't get to sleep, so eventually, I went downstairs and got her to lay down in her crate and sleep. She finally went to sleep, but I heard her bark/whimper a little when VJ came home from Wegmans (his usual hang out at home and here). Needless to say, I probably didn't get to sleep until about 1 or so!
Tonight will be back to normal. VJ & Mae will heading out today about 12 noon. VJ had a car appointment at the Nissan dealership at 9 a.m., then they are going to the mall (so Mae can go to Hot Topic) and then hitting Chipotle so VJ can stock up and take burritos home.
A week just wasn't enough to visit. I doesn't seem like we did much (which I guess we really didn't). I think Mae agrees with me on that, but I hope she had fun while she was here. I enjoyed having her.
Oh, I'm in a national publication (Specialty Retail Report)- or should I say, my butt is! About 2 months ago, I went to a convention and I knew they took some pictures of me and my co-worker. It was in this month's publication. I'll scan it in and post it.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Entry for July 29, 2007
Entry for July 29, 2007
07/29/2007 09:23 am
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It's been a busy week with the niece. Non-stop, except for yesterday.
Tuesday, it was dinner at Chipotle with Sandy. Wednesday, it was the mall. Thursday, it was a trip to the international grocery store and Five Below. Friday, we stayed home because Degrassi was coming on (and I really needed to take Esa for a walk). Yesterday, it was Chipotle for lunch and Borders then chilling at home.
We (Mae and I) watched a really good movie on Lifetime last night - Speak. Mae mentioned that she thought one of her friends read the book.
Today, Mae and I are going to the movies to see Hairspray. Dan said - have fun. He has no desire to see it. He was thinking about going to see another movie, but then decided not too because we would have to wait for him to get out.
I bought a dog trick book at Borders yesterday. Some of the "tricks" Esa already knows, but there are a few that we'll start to work on. Now, if only she'd get the hang of the frisbee!
Work has been good this week without the boss. Had a meeting at National Airport on Thursday and Friday was busy following up on things from the meeting. The rest of the week was calm, so all the work on Friday made up for it!
One more week of work and then it's off to Canada! Can't wait just to get away.
07/29/2007 09:23 am
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It's been a busy week with the niece. Non-stop, except for yesterday.
Tuesday, it was dinner at Chipotle with Sandy. Wednesday, it was the mall. Thursday, it was a trip to the international grocery store and Five Below. Friday, we stayed home because Degrassi was coming on (and I really needed to take Esa for a walk). Yesterday, it was Chipotle for lunch and Borders then chilling at home.
We (Mae and I) watched a really good movie on Lifetime last night - Speak. Mae mentioned that she thought one of her friends read the book.
Today, Mae and I are going to the movies to see Hairspray. Dan said - have fun. He has no desire to see it. He was thinking about going to see another movie, but then decided not too because we would have to wait for him to get out.
I bought a dog trick book at Borders yesterday. Some of the "tricks" Esa already knows, but there are a few that we'll start to work on. Now, if only she'd get the hang of the frisbee!
Work has been good this week without the boss. Had a meeting at National Airport on Thursday and Friday was busy following up on things from the meeting. The rest of the week was calm, so all the work on Friday made up for it!
One more week of work and then it's off to Canada! Can't wait just to get away.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Friday Five - July 27, 2007
Friday Five - July 27, 2007
07/28/2007 10:04 am
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THINGS !! (subtitled It's always nice to give AND receive)
1. What was the last gift you recieved? Richard Zednik Jersey
2. What is the last thing you splurged on just for you? CDs - just got 5 of them in the mail
3. What was the most unique gift you've ever received? a incense burner from Germany
4. Do you collect anything? magnets, hockey jerseys, cat figurines
5. What item would you be embarrassed for people to know you own? probably that I still have all of my barbie dolls
07/28/2007 10:04 am
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THINGS !! (subtitled It's always nice to give AND receive)
1. What was the last gift you recieved? Richard Zednik Jersey
2. What is the last thing you splurged on just for you? CDs - just got 5 of them in the mail
3. What was the most unique gift you've ever received? a incense burner from Germany
4. Do you collect anything? magnets, hockey jerseys, cat figurines
5. What item would you be embarrassed for people to know you own? probably that I still have all of my barbie dolls
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Entry for July 25, 2007
Entry for July 25, 2007
07/25/2007 09:24 am
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Below is from one of my internet friend's blog. This entry is on birthdays!
******
Here’s what you do. First, post a picture of you on one of your birthdays or at one of your own birthday parties, doesn’t matter which one, just you celebrating your birthday.
Next, I have posted the same number of questions as my age on my next birthday. Copy and paste up to the question number that represents your age on your next birthday. If you’re younger than me, you don’t have to answer as many. If you’re older than me, you’ll have to add a few questions yourself to this meme. Where it gets fun, is if you post it on your blog, it increases the number of questions!
I hope lots of you will play along and have some fun with this!
Let me know in comments that you posted this so I can check out your answers too!
1. Number of states in which you've lived: 2
2. What was the last dessert you had? cookie dough blizzard
3. Look around you. First thing you see that’s red: The top of my diet coke
4. What goes on a hot-dog? onions and ketchup
5. Where did you go on your last out of town vacation? Home to NY - if you consider that a vacation.
6. Your pet’s favorite food? peanut butter
7. Favorite Athlete: Richard Zednik
8. How many DVDs do you rent in a typical month? none - we have Cinemax & Encore.
9. Prefer to swim in a pool or a lake? neither - you'll find me sunbathing on the beach.
10. Prefer to read or write blogs? both - I like to write my own blog, but also read other people's blogs to see what's going on in their life.
11. Favorite pasta dish: plain old spaghetti with sauce.
12. Pen or Pencil? pencil
13. Favorite summer footwear? flip flops
14. Favorite TV or film celebrity: Rick Springfield!
15. What's the last thing you sent snail mail? Something I sold on Amazon.com
16. Have you ever lied about your age? Yes
17. Regardless of what you drive now, do you prefer car, truck, van, SUV or “other”? SUV
18. Can you read a map? Yes
19. How did you come up with your blog’s name? Since it's my name - My mom made it up (Dad's name is Ronald)
20. Favorite c-store candy bar: Reese's peanut butter cup
21. What relative are you the most like? Personality-wise, my aunt Helen. Looks-wise, my mom's family
22. The perfect kind of cake for YOUR birthday? I used to love the yellow pudding cake my Aunt Helen used to make. Yellow cake, yellow pudding and cool whip on top. Way before that, it was always a strawberry cake - strawberry cake mix and strawberry icing.
23. Favorite music celebrity: Rick Springfield!
24. Is your printer an ink jet or laser? Ink
25. Would you say you use a computer more at home or at work? Work - by the time I get home, I'm sick of the computer
26. What size city or town do you prefer to work in? I would be nice to have a FAST commute, so a small town, but of course, the money isn't there.
27. How organized are you? VERY! I do have my unorganized piles though (which I usually know what's in it.)
28. Your brightest moment that you remember as a kid: Brightest? I was never a performer. Stick me in the group and I'm fine.
29. Preferred way to get your calcium: milk, yogurt, cheese, a pill or “other”? CHEESE, PLEASE!
30. Do you prefer candy that’s hard, chewy or melts in your mouth?
I'm not much of a candy eater. When I do, it's Reese's
31. How often do you floss your teeth? Every six months at the dentist office. I just can't get into the habit!
32. Soap in a bar or from a bottle/tube? Bodywash.
33. Where do you get your news and current events from? Internet - sometimes radio.
34. Favorite web browser? yahoo
35. You’ve won dinner for four at a very nice restaurant! Who are the three people you’re taking? Dan, Suzanne and Rick Springfield or maybe Richard Zednik - LOL!
36. Do you like surprises? (let’s say for this meme, they are all GOOD surprises) No - even good ones - I'm a control freak.
37. The dish you cook the best? cook? What's that?
38. How do you feel about legalizing gay marriage? I guess I'm fine with it. marriage is a piece of paper - it doesn't change the committment. It does give legal previliages, but a lot (except health insurance) can be done at the lawyer's office.
39. How many speeding tickets have you gotten in your driving years? one
07/25/2007 09:24 am
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Below is from one of my internet friend's blog. This entry is on birthdays!
******
Here’s what you do. First, post a picture of you on one of your birthdays or at one of your own birthday parties, doesn’t matter which one, just you celebrating your birthday.
Next, I have posted the same number of questions as my age on my next birthday. Copy and paste up to the question number that represents your age on your next birthday. If you’re younger than me, you don’t have to answer as many. If you’re older than me, you’ll have to add a few questions yourself to this meme. Where it gets fun, is if you post it on your blog, it increases the number of questions!
I hope lots of you will play along and have some fun with this!
Let me know in comments that you posted this so I can check out your answers too!
1. Number of states in which you've lived: 2
2. What was the last dessert you had? cookie dough blizzard
3. Look around you. First thing you see that’s red: The top of my diet coke
4. What goes on a hot-dog? onions and ketchup
5. Where did you go on your last out of town vacation? Home to NY - if you consider that a vacation.
6. Your pet’s favorite food? peanut butter
7. Favorite Athlete: Richard Zednik
8. How many DVDs do you rent in a typical month? none - we have Cinemax & Encore.
9. Prefer to swim in a pool or a lake? neither - you'll find me sunbathing on the beach.
10. Prefer to read or write blogs? both - I like to write my own blog, but also read other people's blogs to see what's going on in their life.
11. Favorite pasta dish: plain old spaghetti with sauce.
12. Pen or Pencil? pencil
13. Favorite summer footwear? flip flops
14. Favorite TV or film celebrity: Rick Springfield!
15. What's the last thing you sent snail mail? Something I sold on Amazon.com
16. Have you ever lied about your age? Yes
17. Regardless of what you drive now, do you prefer car, truck, van, SUV or “other”? SUV
18. Can you read a map? Yes
19. How did you come up with your blog’s name? Since it's my name - My mom made it up (Dad's name is Ronald)
20. Favorite c-store candy bar: Reese's peanut butter cup
21. What relative are you the most like? Personality-wise, my aunt Helen. Looks-wise, my mom's family
22. The perfect kind of cake for YOUR birthday? I used to love the yellow pudding cake my Aunt Helen used to make. Yellow cake, yellow pudding and cool whip on top. Way before that, it was always a strawberry cake - strawberry cake mix and strawberry icing.
23. Favorite music celebrity: Rick Springfield!
24. Is your printer an ink jet or laser? Ink
25. Would you say you use a computer more at home or at work? Work - by the time I get home, I'm sick of the computer
26. What size city or town do you prefer to work in? I would be nice to have a FAST commute, so a small town, but of course, the money isn't there.
27. How organized are you? VERY! I do have my unorganized piles though (which I usually know what's in it.)
28. Your brightest moment that you remember as a kid: Brightest? I was never a performer. Stick me in the group and I'm fine.
29. Preferred way to get your calcium: milk, yogurt, cheese, a pill or “other”? CHEESE, PLEASE!
30. Do you prefer candy that’s hard, chewy or melts in your mouth?
I'm not much of a candy eater. When I do, it's Reese's
31. How often do you floss your teeth? Every six months at the dentist office. I just can't get into the habit!
32. Soap in a bar or from a bottle/tube? Bodywash.
33. Where do you get your news and current events from? Internet - sometimes radio.
34. Favorite web browser? yahoo
35. You’ve won dinner for four at a very nice restaurant! Who are the three people you’re taking? Dan, Suzanne and Rick Springfield or maybe Richard Zednik - LOL!
36. Do you like surprises? (let’s say for this meme, they are all GOOD surprises) No - even good ones - I'm a control freak.
37. The dish you cook the best? cook? What's that?
38. How do you feel about legalizing gay marriage? I guess I'm fine with it. marriage is a piece of paper - it doesn't change the committment. It does give legal previliages, but a lot (except health insurance) can be done at the lawyer's office.
39. How many speeding tickets have you gotten in your driving years? one
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Entry for July 24, 2007
Entry for July 24, 2007
07/24/2007 01:39 pm
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0 Pageviews..Wow, what a weekend. I'll have to post some pictures later. Where to start. Everything went well, so it's all good.
We finally got out of town about 10 a.m. on Saturday. Esa was SO GOOD in the car. She stayed in the backseat the whole time and can now jump in and out of the car with no problems. Sometimes, she wasn't quite ready to go back into the car, but she did.
Visited with the family Saturday night. Lil, my niece's dog, didn't really care for Esa. I think it was the size of Esa that scared her. The cats were like "stay away from me". Esa and Lil did bond a little on a walk that night. So by the end of the night it was a little better - Lil wasn't shaking like she did at first.
Saturday night at the hotel was BAD. There was a motorcycle charity event going on and some bikes stayed at the same hotel, so whenever Esa heared a bike, she'd wake up. Plus the fact that she had never slept in her travel crate before (I knew I should have let her try it one night first). Dan was losing patience by like 2:30 a.m. so I finally just took over and she finally settled down and fell asleep.
Sunday, the party went very well. I got to see my former church youth group paster & wife, who's church Joanne and the girls now attend. It's been 18 years since I've seen them. They still look the same. So many people told me and Mae that we look like - even Joanne's mom. After the party, I dropped Dan off and went up to visit my "adopted parents", Ted & Ginny Johnson. It's been a year since I've seen them. Sunday night went much better with Esa. It was quieter so she slept the whole night.
Monday, we picked up Mae by 9:30 and out by 10 a.m. Drive home went well. Esa did well with Mae in the back.
Mae is having friend problems though. She IMed one friend about another friend's boyfriend situation and the first friend forwarded it to the other, starting a fight. Mae is so upset. Then she's having issues with her Mom - Joanne said she thinks Mae is going to become a Lesbian (because of who she hangs out with and what she watches on TV). So Mae & I talked about it. I told her that as long as she's not a druggy or an alcoholic - that's all that matters to me (I need to add, don't get pregnant to the list). We talked about eating - Mae's friends are vegetarians so Mae said she might try it, but the first step is going to be just go without red meat and eat only fowl (Pollotarianism).
Mae was saying that her, her mom & sister had a fight about becoming a vegetarian and being gay. It's just weird that Mae is open-minded to other styles of living and she came from the same area I'm from. Where there are hardly any minorities and everyone is a redneck - it's amazing how much the internet has an affect.
Oh, to be a teenager again. I tried to tell her some stories of something similar, but I don't think I helped. I just told her maybe it's a good thing you're down here for awhile.
The next conversation will be about what she wants to do with her life. We need to get her all set up for success (and the money for college).
07/24/2007 01:39 pm
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0 Pageviews..Wow, what a weekend. I'll have to post some pictures later. Where to start. Everything went well, so it's all good.
We finally got out of town about 10 a.m. on Saturday. Esa was SO GOOD in the car. She stayed in the backseat the whole time and can now jump in and out of the car with no problems. Sometimes, she wasn't quite ready to go back into the car, but she did.
Visited with the family Saturday night. Lil, my niece's dog, didn't really care for Esa. I think it was the size of Esa that scared her. The cats were like "stay away from me". Esa and Lil did bond a little on a walk that night. So by the end of the night it was a little better - Lil wasn't shaking like she did at first.
Saturday night at the hotel was BAD. There was a motorcycle charity event going on and some bikes stayed at the same hotel, so whenever Esa heared a bike, she'd wake up. Plus the fact that she had never slept in her travel crate before (I knew I should have let her try it one night first). Dan was losing patience by like 2:30 a.m. so I finally just took over and she finally settled down and fell asleep.
Sunday, the party went very well. I got to see my former church youth group paster & wife, who's church Joanne and the girls now attend. It's been 18 years since I've seen them. They still look the same. So many people told me and Mae that we look like - even Joanne's mom. After the party, I dropped Dan off and went up to visit my "adopted parents", Ted & Ginny Johnson. It's been a year since I've seen them. Sunday night went much better with Esa. It was quieter so she slept the whole night.
Monday, we picked up Mae by 9:30 and out by 10 a.m. Drive home went well. Esa did well with Mae in the back.
Mae is having friend problems though. She IMed one friend about another friend's boyfriend situation and the first friend forwarded it to the other, starting a fight. Mae is so upset. Then she's having issues with her Mom - Joanne said she thinks Mae is going to become a Lesbian (because of who she hangs out with and what she watches on TV). So Mae & I talked about it. I told her that as long as she's not a druggy or an alcoholic - that's all that matters to me (I need to add, don't get pregnant to the list). We talked about eating - Mae's friends are vegetarians so Mae said she might try it, but the first step is going to be just go without red meat and eat only fowl (Pollotarianism).
Mae was saying that her, her mom & sister had a fight about becoming a vegetarian and being gay. It's just weird that Mae is open-minded to other styles of living and she came from the same area I'm from. Where there are hardly any minorities and everyone is a redneck - it's amazing how much the internet has an affect.
Oh, to be a teenager again. I tried to tell her some stories of something similar, but I don't think I helped. I just told her maybe it's a good thing you're down here for awhile.
The next conversation will be about what she wants to do with her life. We need to get her all set up for success (and the money for college).
Friday, July 20, 2007
Are you heading off somewhere soon?
Are you heading off somewhere soon?
.
07/20/2007 09:13 am
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Yahoo 360 Team Blog - Are You Heading Off Somewhere Soon?
YES! How fitting since we are starting the traveling this weekend!
This weekend, it's driving to NY for my niece's (Chrissy) high school graduation party. I can't wait to introduce the pup to the family. VJ is the only one who has met her so far. It's been a year since we've been in Hornell (for Helen's funeral). Doesn't seem that long. I can't wait to hear Chrissy's stories about her trip to Mexico. She went there on a missonary trip through church and I think she helped at an orphanage. Her first time on a plane and first time out of the country.
Mae will be coming back with us, so the next two weeks will be busy with her. We are always on the go - of course it might be different this year with the pup. We need to keep the pup busy and not crated the whole time.
Then it's off to Canada for a week. Dan's sister & nephew will be meeting us up there at the family cottage on Rice Lake.
September 2 to the 7 - cruise to Bermuda ! WOOHOO! I CANNOT WAIT!
.
07/20/2007 09:13 am
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Yahoo 360 Team Blog - Are You Heading Off Somewhere Soon?
YES! How fitting since we are starting the traveling this weekend!
This weekend, it's driving to NY for my niece's (Chrissy) high school graduation party. I can't wait to introduce the pup to the family. VJ is the only one who has met her so far. It's been a year since we've been in Hornell (for Helen's funeral). Doesn't seem that long. I can't wait to hear Chrissy's stories about her trip to Mexico. She went there on a missonary trip through church and I think she helped at an orphanage. Her first time on a plane and first time out of the country.
Mae will be coming back with us, so the next two weeks will be busy with her. We are always on the go - of course it might be different this year with the pup. We need to keep the pup busy and not crated the whole time.
Then it's off to Canada for a week. Dan's sister & nephew will be meeting us up there at the family cottage on Rice Lake.
September 2 to the 7 - cruise to Bermuda ! WOOHOO! I CANNOT WAIT!
The Friday Five - July 20, 2007
The Friday Five - July 20, 2007
07/20/2007 10:13 am
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0 Pageviews..The Friday Five
1. Do you own a pet/pets? How many and what kind? One husky/shepherd pup.
2. Are you a dog or cat (or other) person? Why? I think I'm more of a cat person - just because they are easier to take care of!
3. If you could have any pet in the world what would it be? A tiger
4. Do you feel a close relationship/affinity to one or more wild animals? (like they watch over you or tend to seek you out) It's got to be bunnies! Since the love our yard - or should I say used to love our yard.
5. If you could be any animal in another life what animal would you choose and why did you choose it? Maybe a cat or dog - but I hope I would end up with a good owner.
07/20/2007 10:13 am
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0 Pageviews..The Friday Five
1. Do you own a pet/pets? How many and what kind? One husky/shepherd pup.
2. Are you a dog or cat (or other) person? Why? I think I'm more of a cat person - just because they are easier to take care of!
3. If you could have any pet in the world what would it be? A tiger
4. Do you feel a close relationship/affinity to one or more wild animals? (like they watch over you or tend to seek you out) It's got to be bunnies! Since the love our yard - or should I say used to love our yard.
5. If you could be any animal in another life what animal would you choose and why did you choose it? Maybe a cat or dog - but I hope I would end up with a good owner.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Entry for July 19, 2007
Entry for July 19, 2007
07/19/2007 10:22 am
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WOOHOO - THE BOSS IS ON VACATION UNTIL JULY 30!
Still, there's work to be done. I haven't done any yet today (except sign off on something), but I have plenty to do. Also need to "host" a visiting airport VIP later today.
Home life is busy and stressful. Trying to get ready for the trip to NY this weekend (I haven't done anything yet), getting ready for the niece to come back with us, trying to keep Esa busy and dealing with some hubby health issues. Nothing serious, but still bad timing. It sucks getting older. I think Dan's finally realizing that and that he needs to take better care of himself. At least with the pup, we're getting out and exercising some!
Last night I finally watched Rock of Love and Scott Baio is 45 and single. I enjoyed the Scott Baio show better than Rock of Love.
Rock of Love is the typical backstage antics and groupies. If I was there, I would have not been given a VIP pass, because I would have been sitting in the corner - or maybe not. If I knew what I was getting into and knew that I needed to get Bret's attention, I probably would have. In real life, I've been backstage and all I cared about is meeting the person and getting pictures or autographs. I was never interested in "hooking up" - you never know where the "rock star" has been!
You could tell that some of the Scott Baio show was staged, but what isn't on the "reality" shows? Same with Rock of Love, some of it was set up - like keeping the girl that everybody doens't like.
07/19/2007 10:22 am
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WOOHOO - THE BOSS IS ON VACATION UNTIL JULY 30!
Still, there's work to be done. I haven't done any yet today (except sign off on something), but I have plenty to do. Also need to "host" a visiting airport VIP later today.
Home life is busy and stressful. Trying to get ready for the trip to NY this weekend (I haven't done anything yet), getting ready for the niece to come back with us, trying to keep Esa busy and dealing with some hubby health issues. Nothing serious, but still bad timing. It sucks getting older. I think Dan's finally realizing that and that he needs to take better care of himself. At least with the pup, we're getting out and exercising some!
Last night I finally watched Rock of Love and Scott Baio is 45 and single. I enjoyed the Scott Baio show better than Rock of Love.
Rock of Love is the typical backstage antics and groupies. If I was there, I would have not been given a VIP pass, because I would have been sitting in the corner - or maybe not. If I knew what I was getting into and knew that I needed to get Bret's attention, I probably would have. In real life, I've been backstage and all I cared about is meeting the person and getting pictures or autographs. I was never interested in "hooking up" - you never know where the "rock star" has been!
You could tell that some of the Scott Baio show was staged, but what isn't on the "reality" shows? Same with Rock of Love, some of it was set up - like keeping the girl that everybody doens't like.
So there are others......
So there are others......
07/19/2007 10:54 am
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So, I'm not the only one obsessed with the weather - at least I'm not as obsessed as these guys!
******
Eyes on The Skies
Backyard Weather Watchers, Tracking Raindrops and Wind Gusts
By John Deiner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007; H01
Keith Allen was just 8 years old that day back in the early '50s when he was struck by a thunderbolt.
While touring the Washington studios of WRC-AM radio -- a prize won at a church bazaar, no less -- a DJ named Willard Scott (yes, that Willard Scott) asked him to read a weather update on the air. It was a seminal moment.
The chance encounter turned Allen into an atmospheric addict, tracking troughs and ridges, thunderstorms and blizzards, highs and lows for the better part of six decades. It led to the $1,000 weather station plunked atop his Chevy Chase garage, the mounds of climatological data piled in the corners of his office, the half-dozen digital thermometers propped near windows around his house, most blinking slightly different temperatures. Since 1988, he has been doing the local weather reports for Verizon. If you call 202-936-1212 to hear the forecasts, you've likely made his acquaintance.
"Willard Scott was the best thing that ever happened to me," he said. "The best."
Allen, 65, is among this region's legion of home-based weather watchers, buffs, observers, enthusiasts, geeks . . . call them what you will. Unlike professionals who typically major in meteorology or atmospheric science in college, these amateurs just dig scanning the skies and measuring what falls from them.
They can sniff out the Weather Channel on any cable system in any time zone, but hours of listening to Jim Cantore doesn't begin to satisfy the true fanatic. They're driven to assemble gizmos in their homes and yards to track temperature fluctuations near the sandbox and rain totals from last night's gullywasher -- and then share the micro-data with one another and the pooh-bahs at the National Weather Service.
Allen's personal weather station, for example, includes a hygrometer (measures dew point), a 15-foot anemometer (wind speed) and an electronic rain gauge that sets off alarms at the first sign of drizzle . Super-buffs spend hundreds on automated systems that wirelessly send readings (temperature, barometric pressure, humidity) straight to their computers.
"People just love the weather. It's something we all have in common, and in Washington people are very sensitive about it," said Fox 5 chief meteorologist Sue Palka. "It's almost always the first thing I ever talk about with people, and it's funny how many tell me what it's doing outside."
Unlike Allen, Palka keeps it simple at home. She has a few digital thermometers and a low-tech device to measure precipitation: a metallic squirrel holding a glass tube with the inches marked off. "I picked it up at TJ Maxx," she admitted, "but it works."
She may be on to something. Retiree Marty Brumback, former chief of personnel and document security at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been tracking the weather for 21 years, the past nine at his White Plains, Md., home. Brumback said that for $150, you can piece together an "extraordinarily accurate" weather station in your back yard. It's easy to spend a lot more, however: For about $600, you can install Davis Instruments' wireless Vantage Pro2, a gangly all-in-one-system that'll give your yard that alien-invasion look you're after. According to Brumback, it's among the more accurate stations at the best price.
Then again, he's a big advocate of simple four-inch rain gauges: They're plastic, cheap (about $25) and remarkably precise. You just plunk them in your yard and see how high the water piles up. In any case, he advised, "be careful what you buy. Sometimes the higher-priced devices are no better than the cheaper ones."
Though a member of the D.C. chapter of the American Meteorological Society, Brumback is no meteorologist. (Indeed, about 20 percent of the chapter's approximately 200 members are not professionals; anyone who really, really cares about the weather is welcome to join the group on the local level.)
He's also a part of the Maryland/Delaware Atlantic Coast Observer Network (ACON), a group of about three dozen spotters who jot down every bit of info their weather stations spew out and compare notes. Virginia ACON-ites cull their data with North and South Carolinians. The data are compiled into a report each month and sent to ACON members, as well as the National Weather Service.
ACON was started in 1985 to foster communication among amateur weather observers, according to group coordinator Kevin Shaw, a cartographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But those were the prehistoric days before Web sites with real-time weather data were omnipresent. So why does ACON persist today?
"We grew into this thing that we loved, and we weather observers are a real persistent group," said Shaw, who's in the process of updating his own backyard station. "We just wanted to keep things going."
Another local group, the Washington-Baltimore Climate Review, has several hundred members recording what's going on in their yards. In addition, enthusiasts can join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, whose volunteers measure precipitation and share findings online. Anyone can blog on Weatherbug.com, run by a Germantown firm that operates a network of 8,000 tracking stations nationwide.
But if you just want to know if it's going to rain tomorrow, you can dial the phone and hear the ready-for-radio voice of Keith Allen. Assisted by a staff of eight forecasters scattered around the region, Allen is constantly fine-tuning and updating his Verizon recording; it averages 80,000 to 100,000 calls a day, down from 225,000 in 1985 but still impressive.
Other interests? Well, when he has the time, he watches his new large-screen hi-def TV.
"I love this thing," he said, alternating glances at the set with squinty-eyed glimpses out the window at his cat-adorned weather vane. "The Weather Channel just looks amazing on it."
var comments_url = "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/18/AR2007071800657_Comments.html" ; var article_id = "AR2007071800657" ;
07/19/2007 10:54 am
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So, I'm not the only one obsessed with the weather - at least I'm not as obsessed as these guys!
******
Eyes on The Skies
Backyard Weather Watchers, Tracking Raindrops and Wind Gusts
By John Deiner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007; H01
Keith Allen was just 8 years old that day back in the early '50s when he was struck by a thunderbolt.
While touring the Washington studios of WRC-AM radio -- a prize won at a church bazaar, no less -- a DJ named Willard Scott (yes, that Willard Scott) asked him to read a weather update on the air. It was a seminal moment.
The chance encounter turned Allen into an atmospheric addict, tracking troughs and ridges, thunderstorms and blizzards, highs and lows for the better part of six decades. It led to the $1,000 weather station plunked atop his Chevy Chase garage, the mounds of climatological data piled in the corners of his office, the half-dozen digital thermometers propped near windows around his house, most blinking slightly different temperatures. Since 1988, he has been doing the local weather reports for Verizon. If you call 202-936-1212 to hear the forecasts, you've likely made his acquaintance.
"Willard Scott was the best thing that ever happened to me," he said. "The best."
Allen, 65, is among this region's legion of home-based weather watchers, buffs, observers, enthusiasts, geeks . . . call them what you will. Unlike professionals who typically major in meteorology or atmospheric science in college, these amateurs just dig scanning the skies and measuring what falls from them.
They can sniff out the Weather Channel on any cable system in any time zone, but hours of listening to Jim Cantore doesn't begin to satisfy the true fanatic. They're driven to assemble gizmos in their homes and yards to track temperature fluctuations near the sandbox and rain totals from last night's gullywasher -- and then share the micro-data with one another and the pooh-bahs at the National Weather Service.
Allen's personal weather station, for example, includes a hygrometer (measures dew point), a 15-foot anemometer (wind speed) and an electronic rain gauge that sets off alarms at the first sign of drizzle . Super-buffs spend hundreds on automated systems that wirelessly send readings (temperature, barometric pressure, humidity) straight to their computers.
"People just love the weather. It's something we all have in common, and in Washington people are very sensitive about it," said Fox 5 chief meteorologist Sue Palka. "It's almost always the first thing I ever talk about with people, and it's funny how many tell me what it's doing outside."
Unlike Allen, Palka keeps it simple at home. She has a few digital thermometers and a low-tech device to measure precipitation: a metallic squirrel holding a glass tube with the inches marked off. "I picked it up at TJ Maxx," she admitted, "but it works."
She may be on to something. Retiree Marty Brumback, former chief of personnel and document security at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been tracking the weather for 21 years, the past nine at his White Plains, Md., home. Brumback said that for $150, you can piece together an "extraordinarily accurate" weather station in your back yard. It's easy to spend a lot more, however: For about $600, you can install Davis Instruments' wireless Vantage Pro2, a gangly all-in-one-system that'll give your yard that alien-invasion look you're after. According to Brumback, it's among the more accurate stations at the best price.
Then again, he's a big advocate of simple four-inch rain gauges: They're plastic, cheap (about $25) and remarkably precise. You just plunk them in your yard and see how high the water piles up. In any case, he advised, "be careful what you buy. Sometimes the higher-priced devices are no better than the cheaper ones."
Though a member of the D.C. chapter of the American Meteorological Society, Brumback is no meteorologist. (Indeed, about 20 percent of the chapter's approximately 200 members are not professionals; anyone who really, really cares about the weather is welcome to join the group on the local level.)
He's also a part of the Maryland/Delaware Atlantic Coast Observer Network (ACON), a group of about three dozen spotters who jot down every bit of info their weather stations spew out and compare notes. Virginia ACON-ites cull their data with North and South Carolinians. The data are compiled into a report each month and sent to ACON members, as well as the National Weather Service.
ACON was started in 1985 to foster communication among amateur weather observers, according to group coordinator Kevin Shaw, a cartographer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But those were the prehistoric days before Web sites with real-time weather data were omnipresent. So why does ACON persist today?
"We grew into this thing that we loved, and we weather observers are a real persistent group," said Shaw, who's in the process of updating his own backyard station. "We just wanted to keep things going."
Another local group, the Washington-Baltimore Climate Review, has several hundred members recording what's going on in their yards. In addition, enthusiasts can join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, whose volunteers measure precipitation and share findings online. Anyone can blog on Weatherbug.com, run by a Germantown firm that operates a network of 8,000 tracking stations nationwide.
But if you just want to know if it's going to rain tomorrow, you can dial the phone and hear the ready-for-radio voice of Keith Allen. Assisted by a staff of eight forecasters scattered around the region, Allen is constantly fine-tuning and updating his Verizon recording; it averages 80,000 to 100,000 calls a day, down from 225,000 in 1985 but still impressive.
Other interests? Well, when he has the time, he watches his new large-screen hi-def TV.
"I love this thing," he said, alternating glances at the set with squinty-eyed glimpses out the window at his cat-adorned weather vane. "The Weather Channel just looks amazing on it."
var comments_url = "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/18/AR2007071800657_Comments.html" ; var article_id = "AR2007071800657" ;
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NSSS #2 - Hiding Out - July 17, 2007
NSSS #2 - Hiding Out - July 17, 2007
07/17/2007 10:08 am
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NSSS #2 - Hiding Out
Where do you go to get away? Is it a real place? Is it a mental escape? Where do you hide out when you want to be alone and get away from it all?
Home is my escape - just relaxing, usually in front of the TV, zoning out. I also feel like I'm escaping when I'm at home, just taking care of things (cleaning, playing with the pup, etc.).
07/17/2007 10:08 am
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NSSS #2 - Hiding Out
Where do you go to get away? Is it a real place? Is it a mental escape? Where do you hide out when you want to be alone and get away from it all?
Home is my escape - just relaxing, usually in front of the TV, zoning out. I also feel like I'm escaping when I'm at home, just taking care of things (cleaning, playing with the pup, etc.).
Entry for July 17, 2007
Entry for July 17, 2007.
07/17/2007 10:31 am
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People are dropping like flies at work. We just learned that 2 more people from our regional office are leaving. Then my former GM (General Manager - he went to the mall side of the business), Anthony, is leaving. He's going to go work for our former department head (Steve Johnson for those who know the name!).
Seems like it always happens this way. Either you're happy and stick around through the changes or you get tired of it and you're out of here. Right now, I think I'm staying, but of course, Anthony's already lining me up!
07/17/2007 10:31 am
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People are dropping like flies at work. We just learned that 2 more people from our regional office are leaving. Then my former GM (General Manager - he went to the mall side of the business), Anthony, is leaving. He's going to go work for our former department head (Steve Johnson for those who know the name!).
Seems like it always happens this way. Either you're happy and stick around through the changes or you get tired of it and you're out of here. Right now, I think I'm staying, but of course, Anthony's already lining me up!
Was that the Joker from Batman?
Was that the Joker from Batman?
07/17/2007 07:53 pm
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I forgot to post that I saw this guy that I recongized, but couldn't remember where - I knew on TV but not what program - Yes, he was in his question mark suit.
![]()
Marked Man
Washington's Infomercial King? Matthew Lesko, No Question.
By Peter Carlson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 15, 2007; D01
A doctor in a white coat ambles down a hospital hallway. Suddenly, an old lady attacks, whacking him with her metal cane. Pow! He collapses, falling face-first on the floor. Another old lady kneels over him, rummaging through his pockets, stealing vials of pills.
"That's me in drag," says Matthew Lesko, Washington's infomercial king, the self-proclaimed Guru of Government Giveaways. He's watching one of his latest ads on a laptop computer in a funky College Park coffeehouse, pointing to the "old lady," who is actually Lesko in a blue dress and a pink hat.
On the screen, the doctor-mugging scene disappears, replaced by the image of Lesko standing in front of the Capitol, wearing a garish blue suit speckled with big white question marks. "You don't have to take extreme action to get the health care you need!" he's yelling. "There are THOUSANDS of programs available for people of all ages, all incomes, with or without insurance -- FROM THE GOVERNMENT!"
In the ad -- in all his ads -- Lesko's voice is a high-speed, high-pitched shriek that falls somewhere between Fran Drescher calling her hogs and dental drills piercing your eardrums.
"I'm Matthew Lesko," he bellows in this ad. "For 25 years I've been studying government programs. My new GovernmentMoneyClub.com is the country's largest source of government benefits and includes THOUSANDS of health programs. . . . If your insurance company tells you no, there may be a government program that will COVER YOU!!" He turns and points at the Capitol: " They're not going to tell you -- but I WILL!"
On the screen, a graphic reads: "Only $19.99." It's a typical Lesko ad -- eye-catching and ear-bashing. But there's one problem with it.
"It didn't work," says Lesko, 64, smiling placidly as he sits in the coffee shop. "I don't know what works. You try something and you get lucky once in a while. I'll try anything."
He's speaking in a normal human voice, thank God, but he is wearing one of his 15 question-mark suits. This one's tan with orange question marks. He always wears these suits, except at weddings and funerals. Both of his family cars are festooned with question marks. So is the scooter he rides around Washington. His life is an ad for himself.
Lesko's here in the coffeehouse to meet with his director, Mike Fleg, who has an idea for a new ad. No geriatric muggers this time. This ad will feature Lesko rapping.
Rapping? Is the world really ready for Matthew Lesko rapping about how to get free money from the government?
Fleg thinks so. He's 23 and he just graduated from the University of Maryland. He's here with Elijah Harvey, another new grad, who raps under the name "XL." Together, they explain their idea for the ad: Lesko's walking through a funky neighborhood in his nerdy question-mark suit. A gaggle of gangbangers spot him, and one of them -- to be played by XL -- starts rapping about how lame Lesko looks. Then Lesko starts rapping back, talking about how he knows how to get free money from the government: "I got billions in free money and it's waitin' for you / So come get your money and your life will be new." And pretty soon, the gangbanger's girlfriends desert him and flock to Lesko because he's got free money. Then the music swells :"Getcha money! Getcha money!"
Lesko smiles and sings along: "Getcha money! Getcha money!" Then he says, "I like that. But the beginning is too long. How do we get to the 'getcha money' faster?"
They discuss that for a while, exchanging ideas in a brainstorming session that's interrupted briefly when a guy who recognizes Lesko from TV stops by to shake his hand. Finally, after a half-hour of tinkering with the script, Lesko is pleased.
"Let's just shoot the bloody thing," he says, "and see how it goes."
'I Didn't Write a Lick'
"I was just named fifth-best infomercial of all time," Lesko says.
He's sitting in his kitchen in Kensington, drinking a giant cappuccino that his wife, Wendy, just brewed for him. He rummages around, finds his copy of Stuff magazine and flips to a story called "15 Greatest Infomercials Ever!" Sure enough, his "free money" infomercials are ranked No. 5, right behind the famous Ginsu knife ads and just ahead of Miss Cleo's Mind and Spirit Psychic Network.
What an honor! It's a fitting testament to the genius who made a career out of what might be the ultimate advertising slogan -- free money! For decades, he has used that enticing slogan to sell books that are basically just lists of government programs that may or may not be able to help you out.
It all began back in the 1970s, when Lesko, a Navy veteran with an MBA from American University, founded Washington Researchers, a company that ferreted out information about government programs for corporate clients. In 1982, he published his first book, "Getting Yours: The Complete Guide to Government Money."
"I plagiarized the whole thing," he says proudly. "I didn't write a lick."
He took the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, an 1,100-page government guide to grants and loans, condensed it to 300 pages, added a few snappy introductory paragraphs and -- voila! -- he was on the New York Times bestseller list.
A year later, he produced another book cribbed from government documents -- "Information USA," a 1,000-page guide to getting free info from the feds. That one also made the Times bestseller list -- the same list that included "The Color Purple" and "Garfield Eats His Heart Out."
His business model is simple: "I get stuff for free and I sell it for as much as I can get."
He didn't work very hard writing the books, but he hustled like crazy promoting them. Pimped out in bright red or yellow or chartreuse clothing -- he hadn't invented the question-mark suit yet -- he'd appear on any TV show anywhere, from a Podunk morning show to Oprah, Letterman and Larry King, and he'd start yelling about how his latest book tells you how to get free money! Lesko understands the secret of being a successful talk-show guest: "Just act like an [expletive]."
He sold his first half-dozen books to New York publishers, but after that, he figured he could make more money printing them himself and selling them with 800-numbers advertised on infomercials. It worked: He's sold more than 3 million copies of 100 different books, tapes and DVDs, he says. All of them are about getting stuff free.
"It's always free money and information," says Mary Ann Martello, his researcher for the past 20 years. "Matthew comes up with a title and I find things to put in the book."
"They're all basically the same," Lesko admits. "All that changes is the title."
And even the titles don't change very much -- "Free Stuff for Seniors" and "Free Stuff for Busy Moms" and "Free Money to Quit Your Job" and his personal favorite title, "Free Money to Change Your Life."
About a decade ago, Lesko started wearing his question-mark suits, not just in infomercials but everywhere. At first his wife and their two sons -- Morgan, now 25, and Max, 22 -- were a little taken aback, but now they're used to it. "It's fun," Wendy says, "particularly in this town where everybody dresses like a penguin."
To create his first infomercials, Lesko spent a lot of money hiring Hollywood professionals. Now, he hires eager young kids who shoot cheap and edit on laptops. "They're terrific," he says. "They work for dirt and they're excited and they have good ideas."
Lesko found Fleg, his latest director, by putting an ad on Craigslist. Fleg answered it and agreed to produce ads for $1,500 apiece. At that price, Lesko can afford to shoot an ad, then test it on cheap rural cable stations, and toss it out if it doesn't sell.
"I remember his ads from when I was a little kid," says Fleg, "so it's nice to be actually directing him."
On Location . . . in Laurel
Holding a boombox in one hand and his script in the other, Lesko dances across the handicapped parking spaces of a bowling alley in Laurel, bouncing from one leg to the other, trying to learn the lines of his rap before Fleg starts shooting the new commercial.
You say you spend big money
And you buyin' all that bling
But I got more money
And I'm riding limousines
Today, Lesko's wearing a blue suit with bright yellow question marks. Fleg walks over and hands him a piece of cartoon bling -- a necklace made of a foot-high styrofoam question mark that's been spray-painted silver and sprinkled with glitter.
Lesko laughs and puts it on. Immediately, his suit is speckled with glitter. He takes it off and hands it back to Fleg.
"Let's let it dry for a while," he says, smiling as he picks a fleck of glitter off his nose.
The bowling alley parking lot is getting crowded now with the college-age kids Fleg recruited to serve as unpaid extras in the ad, which he'll shoot in a weed-infested vacant lot nearby. The guys are dressed to look like gangbangers, the girls like, well, sexy women. They stand around eating bagels and bananas and watching Lesko bounce back and forth, practicing his rap: "You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me!"
The kids watch him and laugh. For some reason, they think a gray-haired guy in a question-mark suit carrying a boombox and rapping is funny.
"Who is he?" an extra named Lauren Blick asks Fleg.
"He's Matthew Lesko," Fleg says, smiling. "What else can I say? He's the government info man."
"I've seen his ads," an extra named Tiffany Toney tells her friend Aliesha Zynda. "They're for -- what? Loans?"
"Government money," says Zynda.
"Government money?" Toney says, suddenly interested. "I'll have to ask him about that."
The Cost of 'Free Money'
Yeah, what about that government money? Do the people who buy Lesko's books really get free money from the government?
"Some do, but I don't know how many," Lesko says. "Not the majority, because it takes some effort. You don't just buy a book and make a phone call and get a check next Tuesday. There's money available but it takes some effort."
In 2004, the New York State Consumer Protection Board issued a report claiming that Lesko's ad were "misleading" and "peppered with exaggerations and half-truths about government grants."
The report quoted a Lesko ad claiming that the government gave away $350 billion of "free money" every year. "What Lesko doesn't say publicly," the report stated, "is that the vast majority of this money comes from public assistance programs, such as Food Stamps and Medicaid."
The board focused on one Lesko book -- "Free Money to Pay Your Bills!" -- and found much creative hyperbole. For instance, when Lesko mentioned getting "10% Off Your Restaurant Bill," he was referring to "early bird specials for senior citizens." When he wrote that you can "Get $600 for Each Child," he was referring to the standard federal income tax deduction.
Lesko eagerly admits that he engages in hyperbole. "If we're going to start crucifying people for hyperbole in this society, there's going to be a long line," he says. "If I was writing a diet book, I wouldn't say, 'It's going to take a lot of work and it'll be a pain in the [butt].' I'd say, 'Thin thighs in 30 days.' "
Lesko claims that he refunds the money of any customer who sends back one of his products -- and about 10 percent do. But other customers write to tell him that his books worked.
Barbara Sheperd, a librarian in Michigan City, Ind., says an article in a Lesko newsletter led her to a state program that gave her elderly mother a low-interest loan to put a new roof on her house.
Ronnie Brandt, a New Jersey folk singer, says he saw one of Lesko's infomercials and bought a book that helped him get state and federal grants to perform historical songs in schools. "I think his books are great," he says, "but you've got to do the work."
And then there's the Zufall family, who are dairy farmers in Lisbon, N.Y. Two years ago, they bought three of Lesko's books and a DVD called "Free Money for Everybody." From the DVD, they learned of a local government program that gave them $12,000 to help pay for a gravel walkway for their cows.
"It gets them out of the mud," explains Levi Zufall.
But a $12,000 government grant for a private cow path raises other questions for taxpayers: Which would be worse -- if Lesko is exaggerating how much "free money" is available from the government? Or if he isn't?
'Go Getcha Money!'
Now, Lesko's standing in the lot behind the bowling alley, waiting for Fleg to start shooting the ad.
"Thanks for coming out," he tells the two dozen extras who are gathered around him. "I just hope I don't look like some old guy trying to look hip."
He doesn't. Actually, he looks like an old guy standing in a forlorn vacant lot wearing a question-mark suit and a necklace made of a spray-painted styrofoam question mark.
With a hand-held video camera, Fleg shoots the scene of the gangbangers laughing at Lesko. Then he shoots the scene where Lesko does his rap --"You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me." Then he begins to shoot a musical number in which Lesko and a group of hip young people -- who are wearing bright yellow T-shirts with black question marks glued to them -- dance exuberantly to a catchy little jingle:
Step with it -- go getcha money!
Slide with it -- go getcha money!
Stretch with it -- go getcha money!
It's quite a show, and a couple of local guys wander over to check it out.
Marcus Sanders, 34, thought he recognized the man in the question-mark suit, but he was mistaken. "I thought he was Bob Barker," he says. He looks a tad disappointed.
"Hey, that's the money man!" says Fleming Rice, 59, who says he's retired from the D.C. Department of Mental Health. "I've seen him on TV."
Rice takes a couple steps closer to Lesko and the dancers.
"Hey, can I borrow a dollar?" he yells to Lesko.
The money man doesn't answer.
"Just a dollar," Rice yells. "Help me out with a dollar."
"Let me finish here," Lesko says.
"Just a dollar!"
Sanders starts walking away. "Come on, let's go," he tells Rice.
Rice doesn't move. "I wanna see him dance again," he says.
Lesko calls over an extra in a yellow question-mark shirt, and instructs him to take a present to Rice. It's not a dollar, it's a DVD titled "Free Money for Everybody." On the back of the box it is touted as "a laugh-out-loud fun ride to a mountain of money!"
Rice puts on his glasses and studies the DVD for a long moment.
"Free money!?!" he says. "Where's it at?"
07/17/2007 07:53 pm
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I forgot to post that I saw this guy that I recongized, but couldn't remember where - I knew on TV but not what program - Yes, he was in his question mark suit.
Washington's Infomercial King? Matthew Lesko, No Question.
By Peter Carlson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 15, 2007; D01
A doctor in a white coat ambles down a hospital hallway. Suddenly, an old lady attacks, whacking him with her metal cane. Pow! He collapses, falling face-first on the floor. Another old lady kneels over him, rummaging through his pockets, stealing vials of pills.
"That's me in drag," says Matthew Lesko, Washington's infomercial king, the self-proclaimed Guru of Government Giveaways. He's watching one of his latest ads on a laptop computer in a funky College Park coffeehouse, pointing to the "old lady," who is actually Lesko in a blue dress and a pink hat.
On the screen, the doctor-mugging scene disappears, replaced by the image of Lesko standing in front of the Capitol, wearing a garish blue suit speckled with big white question marks. "You don't have to take extreme action to get the health care you need!" he's yelling. "There are THOUSANDS of programs available for people of all ages, all incomes, with or without insurance -- FROM THE GOVERNMENT!"
In the ad -- in all his ads -- Lesko's voice is a high-speed, high-pitched shriek that falls somewhere between Fran Drescher calling her hogs and dental drills piercing your eardrums.
"I'm Matthew Lesko," he bellows in this ad. "For 25 years I've been studying government programs. My new GovernmentMoneyClub.com is the country's largest source of government benefits and includes THOUSANDS of health programs. . . . If your insurance company tells you no, there may be a government program that will COVER YOU!!" He turns and points at the Capitol: " They're not going to tell you -- but I WILL!"
On the screen, a graphic reads: "Only $19.99." It's a typical Lesko ad -- eye-catching and ear-bashing. But there's one problem with it.
"It didn't work," says Lesko, 64, smiling placidly as he sits in the coffee shop. "I don't know what works. You try something and you get lucky once in a while. I'll try anything."
He's speaking in a normal human voice, thank God, but he is wearing one of his 15 question-mark suits. This one's tan with orange question marks. He always wears these suits, except at weddings and funerals. Both of his family cars are festooned with question marks. So is the scooter he rides around Washington. His life is an ad for himself.
Lesko's here in the coffeehouse to meet with his director, Mike Fleg, who has an idea for a new ad. No geriatric muggers this time. This ad will feature Lesko rapping.
Rapping? Is the world really ready for Matthew Lesko rapping about how to get free money from the government?
Fleg thinks so. He's 23 and he just graduated from the University of Maryland. He's here with Elijah Harvey, another new grad, who raps under the name "XL." Together, they explain their idea for the ad: Lesko's walking through a funky neighborhood in his nerdy question-mark suit. A gaggle of gangbangers spot him, and one of them -- to be played by XL -- starts rapping about how lame Lesko looks. Then Lesko starts rapping back, talking about how he knows how to get free money from the government: "I got billions in free money and it's waitin' for you / So come get your money and your life will be new." And pretty soon, the gangbanger's girlfriends desert him and flock to Lesko because he's got free money. Then the music swells :"Getcha money! Getcha money!"
Lesko smiles and sings along: "Getcha money! Getcha money!" Then he says, "I like that. But the beginning is too long. How do we get to the 'getcha money' faster?"
They discuss that for a while, exchanging ideas in a brainstorming session that's interrupted briefly when a guy who recognizes Lesko from TV stops by to shake his hand. Finally, after a half-hour of tinkering with the script, Lesko is pleased.
"Let's just shoot the bloody thing," he says, "and see how it goes."
'I Didn't Write a Lick'
"I was just named fifth-best infomercial of all time," Lesko says.
He's sitting in his kitchen in Kensington, drinking a giant cappuccino that his wife, Wendy, just brewed for him. He rummages around, finds his copy of Stuff magazine and flips to a story called "15 Greatest Infomercials Ever!" Sure enough, his "free money" infomercials are ranked No. 5, right behind the famous Ginsu knife ads and just ahead of Miss Cleo's Mind and Spirit Psychic Network.
What an honor! It's a fitting testament to the genius who made a career out of what might be the ultimate advertising slogan -- free money! For decades, he has used that enticing slogan to sell books that are basically just lists of government programs that may or may not be able to help you out.
It all began back in the 1970s, when Lesko, a Navy veteran with an MBA from American University, founded Washington Researchers, a company that ferreted out information about government programs for corporate clients. In 1982, he published his first book, "Getting Yours: The Complete Guide to Government Money."
"I plagiarized the whole thing," he says proudly. "I didn't write a lick."
He took the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, an 1,100-page government guide to grants and loans, condensed it to 300 pages, added a few snappy introductory paragraphs and -- voila! -- he was on the New York Times bestseller list.
A year later, he produced another book cribbed from government documents -- "Information USA," a 1,000-page guide to getting free info from the feds. That one also made the Times bestseller list -- the same list that included "The Color Purple" and "Garfield Eats His Heart Out."
His business model is simple: "I get stuff for free and I sell it for as much as I can get."
He didn't work very hard writing the books, but he hustled like crazy promoting them. Pimped out in bright red or yellow or chartreuse clothing -- he hadn't invented the question-mark suit yet -- he'd appear on any TV show anywhere, from a Podunk morning show to Oprah, Letterman and Larry King, and he'd start yelling about how his latest book tells you how to get free money! Lesko understands the secret of being a successful talk-show guest: "Just act like an [expletive]."
He sold his first half-dozen books to New York publishers, but after that, he figured he could make more money printing them himself and selling them with 800-numbers advertised on infomercials. It worked: He's sold more than 3 million copies of 100 different books, tapes and DVDs, he says. All of them are about getting stuff free.
"It's always free money and information," says Mary Ann Martello, his researcher for the past 20 years. "Matthew comes up with a title and I find things to put in the book."
"They're all basically the same," Lesko admits. "All that changes is the title."
And even the titles don't change very much -- "Free Stuff for Seniors" and "Free Stuff for Busy Moms" and "Free Money to Quit Your Job" and his personal favorite title, "Free Money to Change Your Life."
About a decade ago, Lesko started wearing his question-mark suits, not just in infomercials but everywhere. At first his wife and their two sons -- Morgan, now 25, and Max, 22 -- were a little taken aback, but now they're used to it. "It's fun," Wendy says, "particularly in this town where everybody dresses like a penguin."
To create his first infomercials, Lesko spent a lot of money hiring Hollywood professionals. Now, he hires eager young kids who shoot cheap and edit on laptops. "They're terrific," he says. "They work for dirt and they're excited and they have good ideas."
Lesko found Fleg, his latest director, by putting an ad on Craigslist. Fleg answered it and agreed to produce ads for $1,500 apiece. At that price, Lesko can afford to shoot an ad, then test it on cheap rural cable stations, and toss it out if it doesn't sell.
"I remember his ads from when I was a little kid," says Fleg, "so it's nice to be actually directing him."
On Location . . . in Laurel
Holding a boombox in one hand and his script in the other, Lesko dances across the handicapped parking spaces of a bowling alley in Laurel, bouncing from one leg to the other, trying to learn the lines of his rap before Fleg starts shooting the new commercial.
You say you spend big money
And you buyin' all that bling
But I got more money
And I'm riding limousines
Today, Lesko's wearing a blue suit with bright yellow question marks. Fleg walks over and hands him a piece of cartoon bling -- a necklace made of a foot-high styrofoam question mark that's been spray-painted silver and sprinkled with glitter.
Lesko laughs and puts it on. Immediately, his suit is speckled with glitter. He takes it off and hands it back to Fleg.
"Let's let it dry for a while," he says, smiling as he picks a fleck of glitter off his nose.
The bowling alley parking lot is getting crowded now with the college-age kids Fleg recruited to serve as unpaid extras in the ad, which he'll shoot in a weed-infested vacant lot nearby. The guys are dressed to look like gangbangers, the girls like, well, sexy women. They stand around eating bagels and bananas and watching Lesko bounce back and forth, practicing his rap: "You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me!"
The kids watch him and laugh. For some reason, they think a gray-haired guy in a question-mark suit carrying a boombox and rapping is funny.
"Who is he?" an extra named Lauren Blick asks Fleg.
"He's Matthew Lesko," Fleg says, smiling. "What else can I say? He's the government info man."
"I've seen his ads," an extra named Tiffany Toney tells her friend Aliesha Zynda. "They're for -- what? Loans?"
"Government money," says Zynda.
"Government money?" Toney says, suddenly interested. "I'll have to ask him about that."
The Cost of 'Free Money'
Yeah, what about that government money? Do the people who buy Lesko's books really get free money from the government?
"Some do, but I don't know how many," Lesko says. "Not the majority, because it takes some effort. You don't just buy a book and make a phone call and get a check next Tuesday. There's money available but it takes some effort."
In 2004, the New York State Consumer Protection Board issued a report claiming that Lesko's ad were "misleading" and "peppered with exaggerations and half-truths about government grants."
The report quoted a Lesko ad claiming that the government gave away $350 billion of "free money" every year. "What Lesko doesn't say publicly," the report stated, "is that the vast majority of this money comes from public assistance programs, such as Food Stamps and Medicaid."
The board focused on one Lesko book -- "Free Money to Pay Your Bills!" -- and found much creative hyperbole. For instance, when Lesko mentioned getting "10% Off Your Restaurant Bill," he was referring to "early bird specials for senior citizens." When he wrote that you can "Get $600 for Each Child," he was referring to the standard federal income tax deduction.
Lesko eagerly admits that he engages in hyperbole. "If we're going to start crucifying people for hyperbole in this society, there's going to be a long line," he says. "If I was writing a diet book, I wouldn't say, 'It's going to take a lot of work and it'll be a pain in the [butt].' I'd say, 'Thin thighs in 30 days.' "
Lesko claims that he refunds the money of any customer who sends back one of his products -- and about 10 percent do. But other customers write to tell him that his books worked.
Barbara Sheperd, a librarian in Michigan City, Ind., says an article in a Lesko newsletter led her to a state program that gave her elderly mother a low-interest loan to put a new roof on her house.
Ronnie Brandt, a New Jersey folk singer, says he saw one of Lesko's infomercials and bought a book that helped him get state and federal grants to perform historical songs in schools. "I think his books are great," he says, "but you've got to do the work."
And then there's the Zufall family, who are dairy farmers in Lisbon, N.Y. Two years ago, they bought three of Lesko's books and a DVD called "Free Money for Everybody." From the DVD, they learned of a local government program that gave them $12,000 to help pay for a gravel walkway for their cows.
"It gets them out of the mud," explains Levi Zufall.
But a $12,000 government grant for a private cow path raises other questions for taxpayers: Which would be worse -- if Lesko is exaggerating how much "free money" is available from the government? Or if he isn't?
'Go Getcha Money!'
Now, Lesko's standing in the lot behind the bowling alley, waiting for Fleg to start shooting the ad.
"Thanks for coming out," he tells the two dozen extras who are gathered around him. "I just hope I don't look like some old guy trying to look hip."
He doesn't. Actually, he looks like an old guy standing in a forlorn vacant lot wearing a question-mark suit and a necklace made of a spray-painted styrofoam question mark.
With a hand-held video camera, Fleg shoots the scene of the gangbangers laughing at Lesko. Then he shoots the scene where Lesko does his rap --"You need to get your money? Then you gotta follow me." Then he begins to shoot a musical number in which Lesko and a group of hip young people -- who are wearing bright yellow T-shirts with black question marks glued to them -- dance exuberantly to a catchy little jingle:
Step with it -- go getcha money!
Slide with it -- go getcha money!
Stretch with it -- go getcha money!
It's quite a show, and a couple of local guys wander over to check it out.
Marcus Sanders, 34, thought he recognized the man in the question-mark suit, but he was mistaken. "I thought he was Bob Barker," he says. He looks a tad disappointed.
"Hey, that's the money man!" says Fleming Rice, 59, who says he's retired from the D.C. Department of Mental Health. "I've seen him on TV."
Rice takes a couple steps closer to Lesko and the dancers.
"Hey, can I borrow a dollar?" he yells to Lesko.
The money man doesn't answer.
"Just a dollar," Rice yells. "Help me out with a dollar."
"Let me finish here," Lesko says.
"Just a dollar!"
Sanders starts walking away. "Come on, let's go," he tells Rice.
Rice doesn't move. "I wanna see him dance again," he says.
Lesko calls over an extra in a yellow question-mark shirt, and instructs him to take a present to Rice. It's not a dollar, it's a DVD titled "Free Money for Everybody." On the back of the box it is touted as "a laugh-out-loud fun ride to a mountain of money!"
Rice puts on his glasses and studies the DVD for a long moment.
"Free money!?!" he says. "Where's it at?"
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