MadMom and Mutt

Hiatus

2006-06-04T21:58:00.000-04:00

If anybody's still out there...this is a notice that MadMom and Mutt will be taking a little hiatus. Actually, that may be more like a sabbatical. I started another blog a couple months ago that I've really fallen in love with. I warn you, if you go to No Ordinary Princess, it's not quite as baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and MadMom as this place. I can be a little risque at times and I've

I'm Alive!

2006-06-03T02:43:00.000-04:00

Before you call 911, rest assured I'm here but have just been a little busy lately. I hope to get back here on Sunday and do some updated garden blogging.Feel free to check out No Ordinary Princess, where I've been pontificati...I mean blogging a little bit more.Oh, and I have coffee blogging to do, too.Cheers!Technorati tag: life

Oh, Not Another

2006-05-30T04:01:00.000-04:00

I would up over at Penny's just before bed. After I found out what my pimp name is...something along the line of The Magnificent Tease or Madam Tease-a-Lot...I decided to find this out about myself:You Are PorkYou like to think you're the other white meat, but many people don't want anything to do with you.You probably smoke. And it's likely that no body part of yours is off limits.What Kind of

Oh, Just One More Then I'll Go to Work, Promise...

2006-05-29T10:03:00.000-04:00

Your Deadly SinsSloth: 80%Greed: 20%Envy: 0%Gluttony: 0%Lust: 0%Pride: 0%Wrath: 0%Chance You'll Go to Hell: 14%You will get bugs, because you're too lazy to shoo them off. And then you'll die.How Sinful Are You?Good to know I'm not likely to go to hell. I'm relieved. I can go to work now.

Which Drug are You?

2006-05-29T09:52:00.000-04:00

It's been a little too quiet here as I'm in the middle of working 5 days out of 6! Ugh! I'm more than halfway through, though. Only today and tomorrow and I'm good.I wound up at Blogthings this morning and simply had to find out what drug my personality was like. Better living through chemistry and all that. People who know me a bit will probably not be surprised to find that:Your

Cakes and Silverware

2006-05-24T02:33:00.000-04:00

I decided I was hungry before I headed off to bed. So I'm sitting here right now eating a big piece of cake from the local bakery. They make a fabulous cake, so moist there are hardly any crumbs and with a delectable butter cream icing. Sorry, but the newer whipped cream icings do nothing for me. I like my whipped cream on strawberries or Jell-O or ice cream sundaes. It has other uses (NOT

I Happened Upon

2006-05-24T02:07:00.000-04:00

...a fascinating Wikipedia article on absinthe, if that tickles your fancy. Who knew there was a revival in recent years. Very interesting.

Sadie's New Digs

2006-05-23T01:57:00.000-04:00

Sadie needed a new bed. I'd taken the one from the living room down to Mom & Dad's when Dad was sick. (You can look through the March archives for more on my dad.) Yes, you heard right. This pup has three beds. Maybe I didn't spoil the boy completely but I'm apparently remedying that with the dog. I picked up a new bed at PetSmart on Saturday. Sadie was initially cool to it. You know, a

New Media Mavericks

2006-05-20T20:11:00.000-04:00

It's time to pay the piper...or the Boca Butler, in this case. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the hallowed halls of Boca Java / BloggersFuel coffe reviewers. Of all the kudos I've received over the years, this has got to rank right up there. Nomination for the Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice Award? Pshaw! Just give me free goods! (Really, it's only because I was "one

By Jove, I Think She's Got It

2006-05-19T22:33:00.000-04:00

I think I've finally found it. I have found the ultimate position of comfort for using my laptop at home. Does everyone go through this? I feel as if this is some kind of blogging milestone. You know you're getting serious when you endeavor to create an ideal blogging environment. Here's my solution...~Lying back against two throw pillows propped on the left arm of the sofa. ~Legs

Spiritual Cruising

2006-05-19T06:09:00.000-04:00

As usual, the first place I went this morning was Nurse Pam's. She led me to the very interesting Killing the Buddah. I love the blurb for their manifesto,"Killing the Buddha is a religion magazine for people made anxious by churches..."The full manifesto can be found here. What a great sentiment. I came through fundamental Christianity a couple of decades ago yet my belief in the possibility

Why So Slow Here?

2006-05-18T12:37:00.000-04:00

Wondering where I've been? My alternate personality has been taking up computer time over at No Ordinary Princess. If you want the big picture, you'll have to check that out as well. I'm liking this new space and think I'll be dividing my time between the two.Not interested in that but simply dying for new pics of my grandboy? Go here to check out weeks three, four and five photos. My

How I Know I'm Becoming an Adult

2006-05-17T01:34:00.000-04:00

I bought a box of donuts tonight. God knows I do not need donuts. But I wanted them. So I bought them, along with a gallon of milk. I felt like eating a donut. The kind of donuts I chose have three flavors...plain, which I do not consider a real flavor, (A real flavor has actual flavor added to it. Flavor = sugar, in this case.) powdered sugar, (which is now into the realm of actual

Sadie's Home

2006-05-15T21:10:00.000-04:00

Sadie lies at the other end of the couch, snoring her deepest snore. She is utterly content. Sadie's home.I sprung her from the prison today. You know, the one where they make her lie in a small box all day and only take her out to walk once. You know, the one whose food she doesn't like and won't eat although it's the exact same thing she eats at home. You know, the place where she won't

Look at This

2006-05-15T07:21:00.000-04:00

Is he not adorable???

11 Things I Loved About Today

2006-05-14T23:49:00.000-04:00

I got to hold and play with my grandson while he was awake and alert. At one point, he smiled at the print on the wall over my shoulder. I know it was not responsive but reflexive. It still thrills me no end that my grandbaby has an instinct and a reflex to enable him to feel pleasure and express it.I had a good weekend with my mother. We spent some time together, she got to meet her

So Far, So Good

2006-05-13T23:58:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm out in Pittsburgh visiting with my son, daughter-in-law and new grandboy. I did not commit matricide on the 6 (count 'em...six, that's one-two-three-four-five-SIX) hour drive out here, though it was touch and go at some points.This is the view from my hotel balcony. (The guest room is now a nursery. What can I say? Obviously, their priorities are a little askew.) The hotel, a

Campus Calamity!

2006-05-12T00:32:00.000-04:00

Head on over to Tennessee Guerilla Women for a fabulously fun post on the epidemic of erectile dysfunction on college campuses and its "root" cause. I know this is a little late in the posting but this one sure is a hoot! You'll thank me.

Possibly Dead

2006-05-11T22:41:00.000-04:00

I obviously didn't gather all the information I needed before installing my Life Status button. It looks as if they tell you from the get-go how long it will take to turn from presumed alive to presumed dead. I needn't have wasted a month of my time checking on it. Oh well. Live and learn. So long,

Why is It?

2006-05-11T19:20:00.000-04:00

Why is it that men think women want or need their unsolicited advice and counsel??I had a run-in with a co-worker last week, a male co-worker. I am embarrassed to say I stood in the hallway near the nurses' locker room and screamed at him to, "Shut the fuck up!" Or, "Will you shut the fuck up," or, "Will you fucking shut up," or, "Fucking shut up!" Something like that. You get the idea.This,

m&m's

2006-05-10T23:20:00.000-04:00

C'mon, it's been a while. I deserve some candy! ~ ~ ~I've never been a fan of Melissa Etheridge. Will they kick me out of the dyke club for that, you think? Sheesh! And I just learned the secret handshake and password and all! Though I might be much more a folk, blues, jazz or funk girl, I still love Melissa's hair these days! God, I love a woman with smart,

I Hadn't Wanted to Mention This, But...

2006-05-08T01:03:00.000-04:00

Since Pam has had such hardship with the delivery of her Blogger's Review Kit from Boca Java, I really didn't want to mention that a miracle recently occured here in southeastern Pennsylvania. I have been accepted into the hallowed halls of bloggersfuel reviewers. (Shhh...my kit arrived Friday.) (Soooo sorry, Pam!) Since tomorrow is my first day back to work since then and I leave it to

I've Been Led Astray

2006-05-07T23:30:00.000-04:00

I started out a good girl, I did! Then I wandered over to that den of iniquity known as 21st Century Lesbian Trailer Trash. What should I expect with a name like that, huh? Pam seems a lot safer when she's blogging about coffee, but masturbation (that's a great Wikipedia article, btw) sure sounds like loads more fun! I, personally, choose to masturbate for the health and psychological

Have You Ever FELT the Wind?

2006-05-07T04:27:00.000-04:00

I don't mean 'Bill Pullman and (Oooo, la la!) Helen Hunt strapping themselves to the Artesian well in Twister' wind. I mean a small gust, a breeze, a wafting, a caress, a whisper, barely enough to toussle hair. Have you ever really felt them? Have you ever taken the time and invested the effort to really open up your mind, your heart, your pores, your senses to the experience of a wind?This is

Gardening Thoughts

2006-05-07T01:07:00.000-04:00

I wasn't nearly as productive today as I wanted to be. I just can't seem to shake this cold. I finally broke down and bought some Loratidine (Claritin) as I'm beginning to think I might be developing seasonal allergies. Yuck! On top of that, I've got a wicked case of poison ivy. Have I mentioned that nearly all vines are evil and should be destroyed? I hate vines and the damage they cause

What I've Been Up To

2006-05-05T09:27:00.000-04:00

My first clematis flower bud...My clematis a few days ago...My clematis last evening...And that first bloom, fully realized.This is what has been occupying my time. I am teaching myself to be a master gardener.I've put in a new flower bed next to my outside steps with impatiens and begonias. I have plants to create a 'rock garden,' really just a slope in my 'yard,' where I'll half bury some of

Interesting Feminist Blogging

2006-05-03T01:18:00.000-04:00

I made it around to Lingual Tremors tonight following a grueling twelve-hour shift. I needed that, after the day I'd had. I couldn't help feeling drawn to the piece entitled Abstinence Avenger: Your Nighttime Bed Buddy. Who could? But this particular reference struck a chord with me. This excerpt is from a Planned Parenthood Fact Sheet on abstinence-only "sex" "education."Abstinence-only

I'm a Commodity!

2006-04-30T23:32:00.000-04:00

This has got to be the most hilarious thing I've ever seen! I am apparently a commodity on the fantasy blog stock market. Hmmm, something I've always aspired to, I must say. I wonder what those values mean in my money. I wonder if I'm worth anything! ROFL!This, on the other hand, is not so funny to me. The internet is a scary place. I lived enough of my life prior to the advent of home

Black Willow

2006-04-30T22:38:00.000-04:00

I've found the most amazing site and, guess what, it's from an elementary school! Stratford Landing Elementary School in Fairfax County, to be precise. Kudos to the teacher who came up with this gem. It's a detailed site on the ecology of northern Virginia. I went there looking for information on black willows. I've bought a black willow to plant in my stream bank in memory of my father,

Bubble Wrap

2006-04-30T12:01:00.000-04:00

Lingual Tremors led me here. Go ahead. Take your frustrations out. You know you want to!Pop some virtual bubble wrap.Enjoy!

Who Am I/Who Are You?

2006-04-30T01:58:00.000-04:00

Now Pam's got me doing this:What Famous Leader Are You?personality tests by similarminds.comYeah, it fits. "Ask not what Cheryl can do for you. Ask what you can do for Cheryl." ; )

Euthanasia?

2006-04-29T01:09:00.000-04:00

Looking through the stats on my site meter, I found someone who was directed to my blog via a Google search for "agonal heartbeat." I imagine, given my strange mind and my stranger profession, I should expect to get hits through unusual channels. That Google page led me to a fascinating article on Highbeam.com, my new favorite place on the web. The article, The god of our undoing: the death

Grandma Begins Striking!

2006-04-28T23:56:00.000-04:00

Look out. This is only the beginning. Muahaha!Brendan's "Hello Mommy" Video.And a few, special pictures I only just got. I know you can't enjoy nearly as much as I do, but I hope you enjoy a little bit. If you open your mind a little, you can almost smell "baby" in the air!Is it any wonder he married the girl?Can you tell I'm a proud grandma?God, I love these people!

101 Things

2006-04-28T22:19:00.000-04:00

Reading a post on Pam's site today led me, through the comments on the use of the "C" word, to A Daily Dose of Denise. I've been there before but haven't yet added her to my list. (I have no idea if it's a blogroll, a site feed or whatever...it's just my little list of blogs in my Google toolbar that update when they have new posts. What can I say? I prefer easy!) Anyway, I've remedied that

I Do NOT Do "Sick" Well

2006-04-28T13:32:00.000-04:00

I hate being sick! It's such a waste of time and a pain in the affected body parts. I am congested, headachy, chilled, feel feverish, achy, coughing, blowing my nose incessantly and am generally feeling like shit. I am such a man when I'm sick...whimpy and whiny!Now, I don't want to hear from you men that I'm a lesbian so what can I know about sick men. I was married to one for five years,

Hair-Raising

2006-04-28T01:07:00.000-04:00

Well, so much for that. I've been letting Sadie off-lead when we go for our late-night walks. I've been careful. She's been responding wonderfully to concerted training. She's very eager to please and the idea of getting treats for something she already enjoys, well what could be closer to heaven? I won't let her off-lead before midnight and very much limit her area. She's not allowed

CIA Job Opening

2006-04-27T23:58:00.000-04:00

An fun, little e-mail from a sexy, blonde, grandma co-worker that is too yummy not to share:The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all the backgroundchecks, interviews and tests were done, there were 3 finalists... 2 men and a womanFor the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a largemetal door and handed him a gun. "We must know that you willfollow your instructions, no

Parabola

2006-04-27T20:08:00.000-04:00

pa·rab·o·lan.() A plane curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to an element of the cone or by the locus of points equidistant from a fixed line and a fixed point not on the line.Un-huh.A couple of months ago, I happened upon a magazine I'd never seen. (Pam, you're going to love this one!) It's called Parabloa and it's a magazine on spirituality. Every

A Successful Day

2006-04-27T16:42:00.000-04:00

I just returned from Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Lancaster General's is a very busy Emergency Department. They see over 85,000 patients a year and are on track to break 90,000 visits per year within the next year or two. For comparison, consider that Cook County Hospital in Chicago, one of the busiest in the nation, sees 148,000 ER patients a year. Thomas Jefferson

The Meaning of Life

2006-04-26T23:53:00.000-04:00

You've asked the question. You've always wanted to know. Well, step right up and Ask.com has got the answers."What is the meaning of life?"Wikipedia offers a requisite analysis of the Monty Python film of the same name.For the religious answer, the Catholic church has the following to offer. And they've got the domain name to prove it! Actually, check out Being a Christian, which is far

2006-04-26T20:36:00.000-04:00

Thanks, Uncle Ed! : )

Family Resemblances

2006-04-23T22:17:00.000-04:00

I am my father's daughter. I may resemble my mother facially but everything else about me screams out my dad. Look at Dad, two years ago at Mike's wedding. Yes, I have cut my mother out of the picture, not because of any funky family dynamic, but because she doesn't like how she looks in it. Look at how healthy and robust Dad was then. Who would think that less than two years later, he

My Son, the Man

2006-04-23T01:25:00.000-04:00

This is the sure sign that I am now officially middle-aged. Last night, I caught myself musing on what I have accomplished in my life. I think when God starts hitting the rewind button it's a pretty clear signal you're there. ; ) I've spent most of my life downplaying or not recognizing my accomplishments or crediting someone or something else for my successes. I think it's time I stop

Life Meter

2006-04-22T09:04:00.000-04:00

I put a little Life Meter on my site a month or so ago. I thought the idea was cute. I know little enough about this stuff that I thought it would track any time I accessed this site and update itself automatically. I didn't realize I'd have to actually go to the Life Meter site on a regular basis to manually update! I'm not really lazy, but... Well, maybe I am a little lazy.I've purposely

Let's See if You Were Paying Attention

2006-04-20T02:25:00.000-04:00

Which of the following is a bald-faced lie?A. I have had such a bad day I should walk around with a BAG over my head !B. I am a lesbian.C. The Mistress, I mean the Mutt of this house is named Sadie.Try not to read too much into it. There is a time limit. Pick up your pencils.::clicks stopwatch::Go!

You Have GOT to Read This

2006-04-19T22:00:00.000-04:00

I think I'm in love with Liz, of Granny Gets a Vibrator fame. Really, you must stop by. Take a look at those strapping boys, Boy One and Boy Two. And don't miss the detour to Walks Downtown Unsupervised. The road less traveled and all that. My heart's a-pitter-patter. This woman is my own personal Xena!::sigh::Alright, so this is what my own personal Xena looks more like:Didn't I tell you

Granny Gets A Vibrator

2006-04-18T02:48:00.000-04:00

I reposted this to move it to the top because I made some revisions you might find worth looking over. Hope you enjoy!I've gotten started early today and have found a very interesting site before 6PM. This was my day to play hooky from adult life and just do the things I wanted. So I did do some errands, because it gave me a sense of accomplishment and I wanted that. I have two loads of

43 Things to Do

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

I found this very fun little site. I'm sure it's intended for teenagers but I say we comandeer as much from the little buggers as we can and twist it to our own, sick devices!43 Things allows you to create a list of things you'd like to do. So far, I only have five so I have 38 more items to create. Any suggestions? What would you opt for? And you can discuss this with friends and people

Screaming Child Bites the Dust

2006-04-17T21:55:00.000-04:00

I tried, but I just couldn't stand her any more. You'll find an updated post with a link instead of the video. At least I've proven to myself that I can figure out how to post a video. Now I need to learn how to post one that doesn't start automatically!

How to deal with the screaming child...

2006-04-17T12:48:00.000-04:00

If you've already watched the video and really don't want to hear little Susie lament her horribly traumatic experience with green beans over and over again when you visit, simply click on pause and she'll shut up. Would that it were so easy in real life. ; ) I will try to post prolifically in the next couple of days to move her to the next page as quickly as possible!

Please, God...

2006-04-17T03:16:00.000-04:00

Don't let my grandchild turn out to be like this:http://www.wimp.com/spoiledchild/It really is funny when you don't have to listen to it every time you go to your blog! I hate drama! But I love Wimp.com! So glad they're back online. They must have been having some technical difficulties and I almost deleted their link. Wimp is not for the squeamish, easily offended or sexually repressed.

On Coming Out

2006-04-17T00:07:00.000-04:00

I am a lesbian, in case you hadn't noticed.I considered naming this post "A Silly Little Post About Nothing," but thought better of it as I typed. It turned out to be much more than the post I was considering about how much I enjoy sex. Guess you'll just have to wait for that one. This has evolved into my coming out story, from the perspective of someone who was late in coming. Yes, I am a

m & m's

2006-04-16T00:02:00.000-04:00

Should I worry that my site has gotten a hit from Washington, DC?Given the obvious contempt I hold for the asshole who inhabits the White House at present, maybe I should. This is a president who thinks it's his inalienable right to eavesdrop on the private telephone conversations of American citizens. This is an administration hellbent on overturning Roe vs. Wade and imposing their morality on

Wimp Dumped!

2006-04-15T01:01:00.000-04:00

Sorry folks, apparently Wimp.com went to that beautiful blogosphere in the clouds. Every link I have to them now leads to dump.com. Drat! They had some funny stuff and all the links were working when I posted. I'll repost it if it comes up again later.Still no Brendan pics or videos. Drat.

I Jumped on the Bandwagon

2006-04-14T09:17:00.000-04:00

Well, first Kelly joined up and Pam is now waiting for her coffee reviewer's package to arrive, I figured, "What the heck," and registered last night at Boca Java as well. Heck, I'm an ER nurse! We've got to drink coffee to survive! And, I do love the taste of a good cup o' Joe. I'm not sure they'll want me, though, because I have to draw the line at flavored coffees. I was born and raised

Great How-to Site

2006-04-14T01:11:00.000-04:00

I found the neatest site on my post-work unwinding surf tonight. I got there by Googling Mexican Sunflowers to show to my friend, Jess. The site is called eHow.So, I started tooling around in there a bit and it's wonderful from what I've seen already. I own two recreational kayaks and also XC ski and showshoe so I went to the Outdoor Recreation page first. I am intrigued with the idea of sea

Oh, Just One More!

2006-04-13T00:24:00.000-04:00

Nana and Brendan!

There's a New Man in my Life!

2006-04-12T23:53:00.000-04:00

Well, I got back from Pittsburgh a couple of hours ago. I have already begun my grandmotherly duties by posting four pics the very day I took them! It might seem foolish...a five-hour drive out for a two-hour visit then another five back home...and I have to work tomorrow! I must be mad! But Brerndan was so very worth it!He weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces today, is eating well, has all his fingers

Heeeeere's Brendan!

2006-04-12T23:26:00.000-04:00

Remember, you asked for it... Happy Family!

Here's a Cute Pic

2006-04-12T23:12:00.000-04:00

Sadie, doing her best Shepherd imitation!

One More For the Road

2006-04-11T23:31:00.000-04:00

Gummy BearsYou may be smooshie and taste unnatural, but you're so darn cute.What Kind of Candy Are You?Yep, darned cute, that would be me! But I do not taste unnatural!; )

Gay Paree!

2006-04-11T22:39:00.000-04:00

I found this on Lingual Tremors, part of the Big Brass Alliance, a group of people I'm coming to appreciate and respect. Don't worry, it's nothing but fluff, which is all I can concentrate on tonight, I'm too happy!You Belong in ParisYou enjoy all that life has to offer, and you can appreciate the fine tastes and sites of Paris.You're the perfect person to wander the streets of Paris aimlessly,

More Backyard Stuff

2006-04-11T19:08:00.000-04:00

I love gardening, can you tell? Since I don't yet have baby pictures (and have already been on the phone leaving a message for my son to either e-mail me some or post some on his website)...I thought I'd put a couple of pics of my morning garden up. This is the hillside just to the right of my outside steps. I've started naturalizing it, planting daffodils, azaleas, a hosta and a few other

I'm a Grandma!

2006-04-11T10:15:00.000-04:00

It's a boy:Brendan Robert born 4/10/06 @ 11:02 PMWeight: 7 lb. 15 oz., Length:19.5 inchesEveryone did fine! Ten fingers and ten toes...all normal.Mike and Jen are very happy and Jen had a fairly easy labor!Trying to get off work tomorrow to go meet him.No pictures yet but you will see them shortly after I do!Woo-hoo!

It's That Time of Year

2006-04-10T21:59:00.000-04:00

Gardening time! Yippee! I get to squat down on my knees, burrow my hands into the cool, dark earth and let rip! I love to garden...I love getting sweaty, love the smell of the earth on my skin, love to feel the cool, moist soil sift between my fingers!Here's my latest addition...a small flower bed bext to my front steps. I'm thinking about getting some seeds for a vining annual to train up

Mixed...Media, Races, Messages Part IV

2006-04-09T03:40:00.000-04:00

You've been warned...this post is long, especially if you follow all the links...I arrived at this branch of the thoughtstream through a visitor from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. For any Canucks out there, is Kitchener a hotbed of Harper supporters? Oh, and you have my sympathies, though you apparently have more recourse in no-confidence votes and impeachment proceedings. Canada's sounding better

Please Explain to an Old Broad...

2006-04-09T01:15:00.000-04:00

...what blogrolls, tags, del.ici.ous and XML are all about? What about RSS feeds or news feeds and how they differ from the web and news clips I have on my Google Toolbar? Are there feeds which will point me directly to new comments on the posts I've visited or commented on? How do you guys keep this all so well sorted out? Is it worth it to get the html for a blogroll over my little,

Interesting Cruise Tonight

2006-04-08T22:19:00.000-04:00

In researching Mixed...Part IV, I made an interesting side trip. Somehow I wound up at Amazon looking at a book entitled "A Jealous God: Science's Crusade Against Religion." Sounds like a page-turner to me!This is the description offered on Amazon:"The age-old war between religion and science has taken a new twist. Once the dedicated scientist-martyr fought heroically against rigid religionists

Irish Coffee

2006-04-08T02:46:00.000-04:00

Okay,So I wasn't remotely capable or desirous of anything even remotely serious tonight after work, so I wandered over to NursePam's and re-spotted (is that a word?) her Soy Latte. Blogthings says of me:You Are an Irish CoffeeAt your best, you are: wild, spontaneous, and outgoingAt your worst, you are: too extreme and recklessYou drink coffee when: you want to keep drinking boozeYour caffeine

I'll be fairly incommunicado

2006-04-06T09:39:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to my working life. Unfortunately, since I don't get paid to sit and play on the computer, working full-time, in three twelve-hour days each week, tends to put a damper on my blogging time. Drat. I am working on Mixed...Part IV, though, and hope to finish it in the next couple of days. So, don't give up...I'll be back!

Proof that Nature DOES Stupid!

2006-04-06T09:10:00.000-04:00

I have a window bird feeder in front of my conputer desk in my living room. It's really lovely, seeing the little creatures fly right up there to eat. Mostly I get finches and mourning doves, with the occasional chickadee or cardinal. Rarely, I will get a red-bellied woodpecker there, hanging on the brick surrounding the window to peck at the no-waste feed.Yesterday morning, I heard a tapping

Menstrual Blues

2006-04-04T16:36:00.000-04:00

Today is one of those days that makes me absolutely certain God is a man. No female deity would ever allow women to have; on a regular basis yet; bloating, flatulence, constipation followed by a 'cleansing' period, breast tenderness and swelling (to what feels like 7 times their normal size), low back pain, aching legs, fluid retention and menstrual cramps. I'd really like to be able to get my

Back to Work

2006-04-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

Today is my first day back to work after a month off to care for then grieve for my dad. I'm not looking forward to it! I'm tired and I'm burning out at this ER. I know I have to make a change soon and I'm so hoping that means the position as ED/Information Services liaison nurse. If I don't get that job, I'm committed to staying at my current employer until at least October, to ensure our

Cheryl's Firsts

2006-04-02T18:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, I think I've got this...I was tagged by Pam for a list of firsts.1. Who was your first prom date? Prom? What's that? Actually, I had a chance to go with a young man, a few years my senior, who lived down the street and believed he had a crush on me. Although I loved Skippy dearly, it was only in a sisterly-brotherly sense. Once Skip figured out what I'd known from the moment I met him,

If You Love Women...

2006-04-02T12:11:00.000-04:00

...If you think feminism is a good thing...If you think brains are sexy and that brainy women have got to be the sexiest thing going...you're going to love this! The REAL Hot 100! Go ahead and drool over your keyboard, you know you're going to!Got there through Mahablog, another great site!

Don't Forget to "Spring Forward!"

2006-04-02T03:29:00.000-04:00

Waxing Theologic

2006-04-02T01:11:00.000-05:00

Okay, I can't figure out how else to phrase this...I was born again in 1976.I feel like everyone should shout out, "Hi, Cheryl!"I attended fundamentalist, evangelical Christian churches, read the bible (my red leather Scofield Red-Letter Edition with Concordance...I still have it, in its original box) on a regular basis and felt "moved by" the Holy Spirit when I hung out in a small congregation

Back Online!

2006-04-01T20:07:00.000-05:00

Woo-hoo! Have I mentioned how much I love high-speed internet? ; )

Almost Home

2006-04-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I've got the large pieces of furniture that needed moving, moved and the living room mostly cleaned. I love the new arrangement...it seems so much more open and spacious! Should have done this long ago:I apparently fried my cable modem last night doing exactly what I was warned not to do...plugging the electrical source back in before the coaxial cable was plugged in. Hey, I thought it

Spring Cleaning

2006-03-31T20:32:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm all revved up now, cleaning windows (in the dark, as I knew I would be), washing and ironing curtains (I can't believe how domestic I am. I must be premenstrual!). I even started moving furniture about, though the walls must be at least minimally wiped and the carpet well vacuumed! I'm really starting to get excited about the new layout. Mind you, I haven't yet made sure it will

Mixed...Media, Races, Messages, Part III

2006-03-30T19:16:00.000-05:00

Well, I have all my little furniture pieces cut out and taped onto my living room mini-blueprint. I think I'm pleased with the layout. It will allow me to angle my area rug in the LR, which sounds appealing at the moment. Tomorrow I'll get to see if my scale drawing placement will work as well with the actual furniture pieces as it does with their paper cut-out counterparts.The following

Sadie is Happy to be Home

2006-03-30T18:16:00.000-05:00

...as you can tell from her relaxed poses:"Thank God All my Toys are Safe!""Ahhh, life is good!""There's no Place Like Home!"aka, All Knackered Out

Well Said!

2006-03-29T23:56:00.000-05:00

I came across this wonderful blog on my evening surf. Of course, I have no recollection of the convoluted path that led me there, but I believe it started, as it so often does for me, at Nurse Pam's. If it's real important, out here in Blog World (God, that sounds like a Kevin Costner production!) for one to keep track of how one gets from point A to point B, please let me know and I'll do my

Mixed...Media, Races, Messages, Part II

2006-03-29T20:23:00.000-05:00

I just got the most luscious pizza delivered...spinach and ricotta with olive oil and garlic over mozzarella. Yum! What does that have to do with media, race or messages? Nothing. I was just rubbing it in.I'm fairly addicted to NPR, if you haven't noticed. Last evening, I was listening to Fresh Air, a locally produced radio interview program which (she says proudly) happens to be the most

m & m's

2006-03-29T01:51:00.000-05:00

There are few things more succulent than hard, cold butter on a warm cinnamon bun, NJ style, with walnuts and raisins on top. The cold fattiness and warn, soft sweetness. Ahhh, my! And, if you microwave your sticky buns, the underside of the butter melts, giving you 'butter juice' to be sopped up the sticky bun crumbs or scooped up with fallen raisins. Cinnamon rainsins in butter! Does it

Oooo! Oooo!

2006-03-29T00:41:00.000-05:00

I found this, too!National Novel Writing Month.Very cool!

Wow!

2006-03-28T23:53:00.000-05:00

Check out what I just found!Philly FutureMore to come but I'm very excited about finding a place with local bloggers, familiar stories and settings I can picture!Happy evening!

I Said I Couldn't be Serious Tonight

2006-03-28T03:18:00.000-05:00

So here's a little funny:HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A WOMAN:Get in shower Use face cloth, arm cloth, leg cloth, long loofah, wide loofah and Pumice stone. Wash hair once with cucumber and sage shampoo with 43 added vitamins. Wash hair again, just to make sure it's clean. Condition hair with grapefruit mint conditioner enhanced with natural avocado oil, leave on hair for 15 minutes. Wash face with

Interesting Article on Snopes.com

2006-03-28T01:35:00.000-05:00

The Bryan Winter of Our Discontent

Nothing Big

2006-03-27T23:27:00.000-05:00

I know the world is waiting with bated breath for my next installment on the issue of race. ; ) I've got no time for anything serious tonight, though. It'll just have to wait until tomorrow. Have I mentioned that I'm a Pisces? And I'm no cusp version...I'm smack in the middle of the sign. Nothing wishy-washy about my Piscean procrastination. Why do tomorrow what I can put off indefinitely?

Leave 'Em Laughing

2006-03-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

Larry calls his retired, widowed mother in Boca...L: Mom! How are you?M: (heavy Brooklyn Jewish accent) Oh, alright. Everything is good except for the weakness.L: Why are you weak, Mom?M: Why? Because I haven't eaten in 35 days, that's why!L: (becoming concerned) Mom, why haven't you eaten in 35 days???M: In case my son should call...God forbid I should have my food in my mouth!(Having been

Mixed...Media, Races, Messages, Part I

2006-03-26T14:00:00.000-05:00

I've always had a thing for media. By that, I don't mean network television, per se. I'm primarily interested in other sources ...advertising, music, movies, popular literature, magazines, newspapers...and the effect they have on our culture. I did my English term paper in college on Marshall McLuhan's The Medium is the Massage, an amazing read from an author with a unique perspective. I highly

Sunday Afternoon Musings

2006-03-26T13:23:00.000-05:00

Yep, I didn't think I'd manage to see the morning today and I was mostly right. I woke up at 11:35-ish then spent the next 40 minutes pretending I was still asleep or was going to go back to sleep. Damn, two Lunesta at 3 AM and I was still up until 5:30. Do I need a sledgehammer or something to get me to sleep? But, it was damn fun, heading out at 4:30 in the afternoon and spending a full 9

m & m's...again, already with the m & m's???

2006-03-26T02:19:00.000-05:00

Just a snack pack, not a one-pound bag.I promised myself I wasn't going to stay up all hours tonight on this thing but I do believe I just settled myself in for a long, early spring, early morning blog. I just stretched my legs out on the twin bed in the "guest room," covered them up in Dad's mulberry throw and am wrapped up in a truly horrific Alfred Dunner polyester fleece zip-up Mike and Jen

Flickr

2006-03-25T15:30:00.000-05:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Feeding my Soul

2006-03-25T13:24:00.000-05:00

I'm helping my mother write out thank-you notes for tributes to my dad and gifts for the family during our bereavement. I had to take a break. This is tough shit, you know? Maybe you don't. Maybe you hope you never do but I hope you do someday, in a far distant future, when a parent dies, preferably of very, very old age!It's tough to say good-bye to your dad, to someone who has known and

Honda S2000

2006-03-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

Low maintenance, fast but not flashy, reliable...all wrapped up in a candy-apple red ragtop!Yep, that would be me. : )I'm a Honda S2000!You live on the edge, and you live for the adrenaline rush.You don't need luxuries, snob appeal, or superfluous gadgets.You put your top down, get your motor revving, and take allthe curves that life throws at you at full speed. So what if youspin out

Ban on Funeral Protests

2006-03-24T15:44:00.000-05:00

Once again, NPR has got me thinking. This could be a good thing or a bad thing, I'm not sure. ; )The state legislature in Maryland is drafting legislation to ban protests at military funerals. This is in response to the "Reverend" (and I use the title very loosely) Fred Phelps and his followers at Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS. Phelps and his cohorts, though they say they have never

End-of-Life Issues...Death Row Style

2006-03-24T15:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I heard a very interesting piece on Here and Now, a daily news show produced at WBUR in Boston. I admit it...I am addicted to NPR.The piece coincided with yesterday's publication of an article in the New England Journal of Medicine about doctors participating in executions. Dr. Atul Gawande presented his argument against health care providers' participation in lethal injections. I

m & m's

2006-03-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

Uh-oh...it's that time again! Now that I'm not sooooo craving comfort food, I guess I have to get my sweets in other ways. Peanut m&m's...the best. You can have your chocolate and pretend you're getting nutritious protein! Kind of like a Jewish mother without the guilt! ; )Wandering aimlessly on the internet tonight...well, not entirely aimlessly but from one interesting blog to another...I