Scoring Tickets, Old School

You won't see any photos of me on this post.

I was up early. Very early. I brushed my teeth, grabbed my jeans from the night before off the floor, pulled on a T-Shirt and a baseball cap. Then I took off the baseball cap because it was black and had in white satin stitching GLOCK on the front. Not cool where I was going. I grabbed the other black baseball cap. In pink satin stitching it has the logo BARBIE. Dorky, but less controversial.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and was out the door. I left later than I wanted to, so I hopped on the expressway and did 80 all the way to Royal Oak. I was headed to 4th and Lafayette, downtown Royal Oak.

When I was a block away, grrrrr, fun-gwee-li, I noticed the road blocks and police cars. Hu? A marathon being run? How the heck am I going to get across Main Street? I felt like a rat in a maze going up one street and down the other only to keep being met with roadblocks. I went to the Farmers Market and figured I park there and walk.

Saturday? Beautiful sunny day? Downtown Royal Oak? Of course, everyone and their brother was at the market. No frickin' parking spaces. I headed to the police station thinking I'd park and take a ticket, I didn't care. Just as I was about to do that, a space opened up and I grabbed it.

I started my jog over to 4th and Lafayette, only to be met by runners and the orange mesh blocking the ability to cross the street. Too bad, I straddled over (note: I am no longer able to hurdle over) the mesh, jockeyed through the open spaces between runners (careful not to interfere) and made it to the other side.

As I came up to my destination, I saw this.

I rounded the corner and landed about the150th spot down this alley.

It was one and a half hours before they would allow us to get tickets. I did the usual. Chatted with others, scowled at some trying to take cuts, and wondered why I drank coffee on the way down. I had to pee.

The alley curved back around this space between two buildings and then out onto main street.


As the line began to move, I was relieved to know I did it ... I scored 3 tickets to this:

Town Hall Meeting
Barack Obama
This Monday at Troy High School
(less than 10 minutes from my house)

There was a two ticket per person limit. But see that woman up in the last pic with her daughter in the purple top? She gave me one of hers because her kids go to Troy High School and they won't need tickets. Thank you Gloria!

I haven't had to actually stand in line in anticipation for tickets since my high school years. Figures, that's just where I will be Monday, at high school!

Oh yeah, as I was walking back to my car, these people ... lined up about 3/4 mile back now ... I didn't have the heart to tell them there are only 1,000 tickets, 2 per person, if your not one of the first 500, you should have slept in.

Without getting on my soapbox politically, I will just say this election is going to change the future direction of America. This is a historical election and just getting to go to a Town Hall Meeting is going to be awesome. If I could get tickets for Clinton, or McCain, I'd go to their's too.

Just so happened Obama is coming to my 'hood.

Conversation Hearts : L-O-L-A ... Lola

*Conversation Hearts is the tag I have used when recalling my conversations with my daughter Caitlin.

Since she moved out, almost a year ago, the fodder for some of my favorite, hilarious, and head-scratching moments have lessen. This may be a good thing. At least as far as my gray hair and furrow lines are concerned.

So here we go.

Cait: OMG, I just saw the cutest puppy at the pet shop across from the salon.

Me: NO!

Cait: She won't get more than 6 lbs.

Me: NO! Remember Jenny? She pissed all over and you had to give her back.

Cait: She's purebred, even has papers.

Me: NO! What about Puma? You never even got him fixed**

Cait: Michell (her boss) said I can bring her to the salon every day.

Me: The expense, the responsibility, the fact you still live in an apartment.

Cait: Umm, okay, I figured you'd say all that.





I teased them last night, just because Ray is Mexican, they didn't have to get a Taco Bell dog!


**This morning Cait dropped Puma off at the vet to get him fixed.

My Response to One Day, 24 Hours

To experience all five senses in a most unique way, I would be without them.

I'd stroll through a field of wild flowers, wind just slightly blowing, and be able to "smell" the surroundings. The flowers, the small animals, the century old trees, and all without the sense of smell.

To be sitting in a green pasture, as high up a mountain as possible, seeing out into the world. The knowledge of what natural beauty stretched before me. Experiencing the view, without sight.

Diving deep into a tropical green/blue paradise. Feeling the corals, the texture of the sand and shells. The knowledge of warm water all around and yet, not reaching out to touch anything.

I'd sit in the sun, for hours, at a playground. I'd hear the kids laughing, screaming, and calling out to each other. I'd hear the wheels on the skateboard swish by. The squeak of the merry-go-round in motion. I'd hear the bells jingle on the ice cream truck. But, my ears would not hear a sound.

I could end my day curled up in front of a feast of decadent sweets. Mounds of ice cream. Bowls of fruit. And yet, the plates would be empty. My minds eye would have me enjoying every morsel, leaving me feeling full without one bite ever passing through my lips.

Ree's post in reply to this though is very similar to mine in that the freedom to be alone within yourself and simple pleasures.

SugarPlumsMom has an enjoyable day planned out. Nothing extravagant, simple things really can make us women happy.

Kristebella is happy with her beers, bacon, Cubs, a little dancing and all is good. I think the fun desire to make-out with a few cute strangers is exercising her freedom to simply be herself!

Lis? Your answer is very close to mine ... just enjoying this beautiful world in all it's glory!

Captain Corky would be happy fishing and enjoying a few beers. If I know Corky though, some good eats will play a big part of his 24 hours too.

I think Sherry is already looking at life and living each day in a renewed direction, thank God she is now cancer free.

Mary, you have shared a couple of your paintings on your blog ... the nude can be for you and Q, but you really should explore and share more of your amazing artistic talent.

Pink and Cas have something in mind ... and who knows, maybe the opportunity will indeed present itself.

Deb ... well thought out and I'm sure most of those ideas could really happen for you. Well except the Tiger thing, Jimbo is pretty mindset as we are seeing this season *smiles*

I think I'll try to convince Joan to be Thelma to my Louise and do a road trip ala Bossy. I promise though, no cliffs at the end and no shooting people unless it's through your lens.

Candy, let's just say your total honesty has gotten John and probably others minds all aflutter, lol

Even though Ron is content with his ducks, and the new baby ducks, can we all stop by and leave him a comment, he's needing some traffic.

In a quite disciplined yet peaceful day, check out what Nahria would do.

KatyDidNot, you'd have fun and look great on the back of a Harley.

Thanks to all of you for leaving your thoughts.

One Day, 24 Hours

I have asked this question to two different people, men to be exact, in the past 10 years. Their answers spoke volumes. Too bad I had the speakers turned down. [smirk]

Anyway, it isn't one to answer quickly. Think and ponder on it. If you want, post your answer on your blog and link back to this post. Or, leave it in comments. I'm curious to hear your answer.

Nobody has ever matched my answer albeit, my answer is outside the box. I'll tell you mine tomorrow. If you post your answer, I'll add your link to my answer.

If you had one day, 24 hours to do anything you wanted, use your imagination, anything ... by yourself, for yourself, only you and you alone.
Nobody would ever know what you did.
Nobody would ever see how you spent those 24 hours.
This is time just for you, alone.
What would you do that would make you smile and go "ah-hhhhh" just before your head hit the pillow in the last minute of those 24 hours?

I've Got a Golden Ticket !

Another post featuring my adorable great nephew L and great niece K.

L was in the school play Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

He was an Oompa Loompa.

He's showing some Loompa Pride.

At the end of the play, it was announced there were a few "Golden Tickets" hidden around the seats.

The following series of photos of K, are not only adorable, they are proof positive she is from our female gene pool. No need for captions, her face says it all.

The Hunt and The Kill

Last May, I posted about my Bombay Sapphire Martini glass collection.

All these collector glasses are released in the Christmas gift box, one glass with a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin. I'm not a gin martini drinker, I prefer vodka, so I never buy the gift box. I usually pick them up on eBay.

The first in the series, 1994, was by Ulla Darni, famous for her stained glass creations. To find this glass is near impossible, and when I have seen it on eBay, it usually goes for anywhere between $80-$125, with a bidding war at the end of the listing.

So I just sit back.

And Wait.

Saturday afternoon, I did an eBay search for Bombay Sapphire glasses, but the only thing that came up were ones I already had. Then I ran a search for Ulla Darni. This glass came up. No mention of Bombay Sapphire.

No bids. Starting price was $24.99.

I bid $25.00 and hoped the fact the listing didn't have Bombay Sapphire in it would keep it hidden from other collectors.

I forgot about it until now, when I signed on and saw mail from eBay. Assuming it was a "you have been out bid" notice, I wasn't too excited.

Now I am excited.

I was the only bidder and won.

But now ... I need this one:

Memorial Day Weekend

The gateway to summer.
Beer's and sports.
The family BB-Q's.
Planting and pruning around our homes.

I wish everyone was home to celebrate,
to remember, and to thank the men and women serving our country.

(Home ~ By Chris Daughtry)

Good Reads and Good Looks

When I first stared this blog, Jessica, Oh The Joys, was the first non-family person to leave a comment.

Then I started finding other reads through links.

I remember the first few posts I read of Lori's from This Just In, grabbed me because she reminds me of myself. (Sorry Lori, I don't know if that's a good thing or bad)

Soon I was following Sunshine (Sonia) from ... and the pursuit of happiness. She is a reader and has great reviews, but she is also artsy talented.

You can see my complete blog roll here.

Bossy is funny, quirky, silly, serious.

Hot is not only hot, she's hilarious.

Delmer is an inspiration in losing and maintaining weight loss.

Fightin' Mad Mary is all Hollywood in-the-know. I'm obsessed with her sightings and her decorating.

I wish I live next door to Mrs. G at Derfwad Manor ... we'd sit on her porch sipping wine waiting for Johnny Depp to stop by.

Jen at Get In the Car is my kindred spirit ... err, should I say kindred alien?

Amie, Mamma Loves, Steph, Lawyer Mama, Joan at Southern Suburbia, Beth, Mary Alice , Kristebella and TX Poppet at Canned Laughter, all have me coming back to follow their daily stories, their trials and tribulations. I care about them all.

The out-of-the-country bloggers ... Pink, Sherry, Dkuroiwa, and Linda are also on my must read list. Wonderful women, wonderful "girl-freennnds"

This isn't just a linky love post ... highlighting the people I have come to really care about, pray for, laugh and cry with.

No, it's also about the bloggers that capture my attention just because they are good looking.

Ya'll should know me by now. [smirk]

Now, I think I will go read his archives and see what's behind the looks.

P.S. By all means, feel free to leave a link to your fave good read or good looks blogs in comments. And the good looks ones? Umm, can they be single and over 40? Thank you.

I can relate to Fred Sanford

Remember when I went to ER thinking I was having a heart attack?

Remember after 8 hours of EKG, x-rays, blood work, monitoring and tests, they decided I didn't have any heart problem? And that they didn't know what the pain was, but gave me a shot, waited until the pain was gone then released me?

I got my hospital, attending physician, and lab bill.

$3,575.92

(why don't they just round it up to $3,576.00)

The first thing I though of:

I think we need some serious health insurance reform in this country.

Shopping with Sandi

Me: Are you hungry?

Sandi: No, but when ever you are ready, we can stop.

So we go into J. Jill. I never have luck there. I always think I can get similar things for half the price at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. I leave with a $39.00 pair of jean capri's.

Me: Do you want to eat at Brio Tuscan Grille or PF Changs?

Sandi: Either is fine. Are you hungry now?

Me: No, I can wait.

As we walk past Coldwater Creek, I make the observation that store has "old lady" clothes in it. Sandi tells me she's bought things from there. Oops!

Me: I could eat some ice cream. (As we walk past Nestle's ice cream parlor)

Sandi: I'll wait to go to the Dairy Treat by your house.

We went into Urban Outfitters. We stop to look at the books. It's Sandi's turn to pick the book for her next book club read.

Me: Hey Sandi, look here, I think I found your next book.
(Yes, it was stacked next to Obama's book)



Flipping through the pages, we saw a fireman in need of a hose. A monkey holding the peel of a banana, a bun just waiting for a hot dog and a few other "unfinished" pictures.

Sandi: Look, this air freshener can double as a bookmark.

( You can tell how we laugh and crack loud jokes & everyone gives us funny looks shop together right?)


Me: It's time, Brio's it is, I'm hungry.

So what do we order? Mmmmm so good, here is the recipe.

Raspberry Bellini
1 bag frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
2 tablespoons sugar
1 bottle (750-ml) chilled Champagne
Blend the raspberries and sugar in a food processor or blender until pureed. Strain the raspberry puree through a sieve; discard the seeds, if you wish. Set up 6 Champagne flutes and put about 1 tablespoon of raspberry puree in each glass. Add Champagne to each glass; stir gently and serve.


My shopping trip with my sister Sandi was really to spend time together, I don't need anything.

Like the capri's, the 3 tops from Eddie Bauer, the necklace, bracelet and earrings from Brighton, the top from H&M, or the shoes from DSW.

Separation Anxiety

As soon as Bryan leaves the house, Bently waits, watching out the window. When I call him down, he mopes over to me and tries to get on my lap. Yeah, that vicious, mean Pit Bull.

He really has been fun and funny. I'm still surprised he's so well behaved and totally follows my commands. Doesn't say much about my ability to train 10 lb. Quinn does it? I don't have to change my tone or talk stern when I want him to do something. I just speak in my regular voice and tell him once.

I'll probably try to keep him when Bryan moves out. On second thought .... NOT.

"Think Different" ... "Dude"

Before I go to BlogHer in San Francisco and sip martini's with Jen, I want to but a laptop.

I look, and read, and compare, and decide, then undecide, then eanie, meanie, miney, moe ...

Your laptop of choice? Likes? Dislikes?

Any pearls of wisdom left in comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance from the person sitting next to me on the airplane.

Lugging my desktop PC would not be a pretty sight or comfortable for flying. [wink]

Slogans:
"Think Different" ... Apple
"Dude" ... Dell

MAC or Dell ?
	MAC
	DELL
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Houdini ...err, I mean Houdoggy

This is Quinn.









All ten pounds of him.

Quinn has access to the backyard 24/7 via this dog door.









This 8" x 11" opening dog door.
(I know, dog snot on the flap. I'll hose it off tomorrow)

This is Bently.









All 90 pounds of Ben.

Remember, Bryan and Bently moved back home?

When I came home yesterday, Bryan thanked my for letting Bently out into the backyard on my lunch hour.

Hu?

I never came home during the day.

When Bryan got home from work, Ben was out in the backyard with Quinn.

This morning before I left for work?

I blocked off the dog door. He's bound to get stuck or hurt.
His head is 25" in diameter. I can't imagine how he squeezed through, although the flap over the door doesn't lay right anymore.

It's been three days/nights that he's been here. No damage, no accidents, he's polite and well behaved. I'm hoping Quinn learns some manners from him.

I sense further blog fodder with Bently living here.

From the Pope: "Klaatu, Barada Nikto"

From today's headlines: "Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens."

The movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" 1951, was about Klaatu, a humanoid alien and his robot, Gort, that came to Earth. The "safe word" phrase to Gort was "Klaatu, Barada Nikto" that Helen (Patricia Neal) used to keep him from destroying Earth.

One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes was , 1962, "To Serve Man". This was about a race of aliens called Kanamits, that came to Earth. With advance technology, they taught Earthlings how to wipe out diseases, grow perfect crops, and allowed people to travel to their planet. The double entendre was in serving man. They indeed were teaching and serving man, but the intention was to harvest them back to their planet, to serve as food.



The ET Movie, Close Encounters, Star Wars, Star Trek movies and series, Contact, Independence Day ... video games etc. have been a favorite genre for kids and adults.


IMHO, the awareness has escalated over the past 30 years ... as if we are being desensitized in preparation for information to finally be revealed. Well, at least I hope so!

I have always been of the opinion that "we are not alone" ... on Earth and beyond. I am aware some people are just as certain in their thoughts that Earth and the people of it are all there is, period.

For many years I have been a closet believer. Anxious to swap and share stories and opinions and dig deep into connecting aliens, government, religion, the arts, ancient findings, and UFO sightings with like minded.

Have you read The Disclosure Project or watched it (in part) on YouTube?
A must watch if you are a believer, William Cooper's speech, "The U.S. UFO And Alien Coverup"

Do you believe what is written about Area 51? Area 51 is also known as DreamLand, I always though it coincidental that Spielberg's production company is DreamWorks.

Did Buzz Aldrin see alien bases on the moon?
Is there life on Mars?

Do you think it's time the truths are revealed? Would this information, assuming it is true, cause world wide chaos like "The War of the Worlds" radio broadcast did in 1938.

Or do you think it would cause the world to unite as "People of the Earth" instead of a division of countries? One race on the Earth, learning and dealing with beings not of the Earth.

What do you think and believe to be true?

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known"
~Carl Sagan~

Bullets with Pictures

• Bryan, Friday, dressed for a wedding.
  

• 

• Caitlin and her boyfriend Ray, Mothers' Day.
  

• 

• Bently seeing a fish for the first time.

• 

• Bryan is moving home ... with Bently ... TEMPORARILY.
  

• 

• Quinn will be happy Ben is moving in.
  

• 
  

• Me, not so much
  

Bryan's lease is up and he doesn't want to sign a new one. He wants to move to Arizona. He is in the process of getting information on training and hiring in to work Border Patrol. Recruiters are coming to the metro Detroit area in June. If anyone has any information they'd like to pass on about this, I'd appreciate it. (The sooner the better, *smiles) He's looking at New Mexico, Arizona.

The BEST Mother's Day Story / Photo on the web:

Lori and her son Brian, home from Iraq

33 Years Ago...

There is no way I could even begin to write about meeting my good friend Donna for dinner last night. We had so much catching up to do.

Thirty-three years since we have seen each other, and the four hours of conversation we spent over dinner and wine just scratched the surface down memory lane.

It truly amazes me how two people can reunite and within seconds pick up right where we left off.

We will be getting together on a regular basis now. Our lives have gone almost full circle and it's time to renew an old and bonded friendship.

I truly love this girl!

PS~
My sister's comment reminded me, I should tell how Donna and I met.

We were at a wedding, I was with my first husband (before I married him) and the table was all his buds- male and female. Their "hang out gang". I had never met any of them. Shortly after I sat down, Donna accidentally spilled her drink down the front of her dress. Of course she was embarrassed and upset. The evening was just beginning. She worried, knowing people would notice a drink mess. Without hesitation, I picked up my drink, poured it down the front of my dress and said "Now people will just smirk at the two girls who wore the "same dress" to the wedding reception." We knew at that point we'd be friends forever.

As Good as Flipper

We got "Puppy" our Beta Fighting Fish about a year ago.

After watching this on Good Morning America yesterday,
I'm wondering if it's too late to send Puppy to school.

In all fairness, I have to give "Puppy" some credit.

When uneaten food sinks to the bottom of the fish bowl, it makes the water dirty faster. I began hand feeding him one pellet at a time since we got him. He only eats 4-5 pellets, so its fast. When I come to the bowl, he swims to me and waits for his food. I guess that should tell me he's trainable.

Challenge ... at Your Own Risk

I have worked with all men for over 25 years. Nothing surprises me.
I have heard dirty jokes, four lettered words, and more things than I care to, spew from their mouths.

I saw something today that reminded me of a challenge from about 15 years ago.

We had a guy I'll call Doug (because that is what his real name is) that would do sublet work for us. We always joked around on the phone and whenever he came by my office.

One day he was in the outer office area telling one of the guys a disgusting story, not knowing I was in my office and that I could hear every word. At the end of the story, he heard me laughing. I think I was laughing more at the fact he didn't realize I was listening.

He came in my office and apologized profusely for his story and kept back peddling that he didn't know I was in my office.

I reassured him that I knew he didn't know I was there and besides, his story didn't gross me out. I told him after working with all these guys for all these years, nothing could gross me out. *side note ... obviously Jack wasn't working here during this time.

Doug jumped at the chance for a challenge. He bragged that he could gross me out before the week was over. I took that challenge and raised it to my being able to gross him out more. He laughed .... as if !

The next day, his coworker delivered a box of donuts for all our guys. He also had a small bakery box just for me. Duh ... what could it be? Yes, the no brainer dog poop.

Doug had no clue who he was playing with. Game on buddy!

I wasn't sure what I was going to do for the next round.

Then, just as today's reminder, I was driving to the bank on a hot sunny day.

There it was.

All bloated, big, fat, stiff and stewing in all it's glory, and well, its juices too.

I recruited my friend Kim to help me. We got a box ... a big box, and a shovel. I scooped me up some fresh raccoon roadkill into the box and we brought it back to her office.

I made a little sign on a stick saying, "Hi Doug" and placed it between the claws of the roadkill. (Ms. Germaphobe here had gloves on). She had gift wrap in her office, so we wrapped the box and put a big bow on it.

I called Doug's secretary and told her I would be delivering the box during his lunch hour and advised her NOT to open it. Let him open it when he gets back. She was laughing saying she had a half work day but now was going to have to stay until he got back.

About an hour later I got a call.

It was Doug.

He said, "I surrender, you win, I am done. If this is what you do in response to a little bit of dog crap, I don't even want to go any further."

He was laughing but I was glad he ended it. I'm not sure how I'd top bloated roadkill.

OH! Bama

In case you missed Obama's top 10 on Letterman:



Pretty funny, if not elected, he certainly has a career in stand-up.

Sisterly Love

Because it shows a real blond moment for a brunette,
I found this hilarious.

Before, During, After and Never Again

I started following the Weight Watchers diet April 16, 2007. I didn't attend meetings or sign up on line for support. I knew by now, if I didn't make the decision to lose the weight, no meeting, no hand holding, no lecture, or cattle prod was going to help me. I had to do it myself.

The weight came on gradually and obviously I was in denial. I really didn't see it when I looked in the mirror. I think when I had to buy a bigger pant size (I didn't, I refused) and looked at the numbers on the scale, I knew enough was enough.

Some of these pictures have been posted on here previously.

I didn't see the weight go on, and I'm still having a hard time seeing it off. I was feeling great as the numbers on the scale came down, but I have been playing with the same 5 lbs. since the first of the year. I decided to get serious again and lose the final (and the hardest) 10 lbs. by the time I go to BlogHer in July.

Before: Pant size 12, Tops Large, 178 lbs.

December 2006

February 2007
(see the found treasures)
April 2007
Started Diet

Lawdy Lawdy ... my face is a balloon.

During: Pant size 8-10, Tops Medium, 140 lbs

August 2007
(same sweater as in the first photo)

August 2007
October 2007
(T-shirt by Sunshine's Designs)

Now: Pant size 6, Tops Medium or Small, 133 lbs. on a good day, average 136 lbs.

March 2008

This was taken yesterday after Caitlin trimmed and highlighted my hair.
Balloon face is gone,
but "character lines" show more ... and that's OK with me!

Caitlin took this a couple hours ago.

By July: My goal is 126-128 lbs. and sizes won't matter.

Yeah ... mmhm ... sure ... I'll look like her.

::: Thanks for the kind comments ... but I really posted this for selfish reasons. This will keep me accountable and motivated. I don't want to have to post a series of weight gained photos in a few months ;) :::

New Horn for My Car?

I'm at work looking out my office window.

I parked my car just outside my office today.

This guy just looked into my window.

I told him "Stay put, I'm coming out to take your picture."

So he waited for me. And he didn't poop on the trunk either.


On another topic ...

I'm looking at the tons of pictures loaded on my work computer (that I should weed out) and I have found some from last year. From before I started my diet. From before I lost the 43-48 this past year (depending on when I weigh myself)

As the Hotfessional would say "Oh Mah Holy Hell Y'all."

I know I lost the weight and I know I had to buy all new clothes. I still feel "fat" and want to lose another 10 lbs. I don't feel like I look that much different, but then again, when I gained the weight, I didn't realize I gained that much. (denial, I know)

Until I saw these pictures. Hell, I am feeling a lot better!

I am forwarding these fat pictures to my home computer and will post before and afters this weekend. I'll tell you the cloths sizes and if I drink enough wine, I may even tell you my before and after weight.

(oink SNORT oink)

(Michael B ... don't read my blog this weekend, LOL)