Category Archives: Brian

Mar5

Thursday Thunks

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1. This cat- Link– scary or cute? I do like cats and would have to see this guy in person. He’s a bit scary looking though.
2. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes reproducing again. Good idea or don’t care?
Don’t really care. I do think Suri is a cutie, though I don’t care for her name.
3. Do you smile at strangers when you make eye contact? Usually.
4. What percentage of your sarcasm isn’t really sarcasm at all? I try not to be sarcastic-a poor personality quality. If someone has done something opposite of what I suggested I may be sarcastic because I feel like my opinion wasn’t valued enough to be considered. Don’t ask my husband if I was sarcastic about his car please. ; )
5. If you were to be a dog breed, which breed would you be?
Definitely a Sheltie
6. Go grab the closest book. Open up to page 27. Whats the 4th sentence?
Which is more dangerous in the aggregate to humans, barracudas or sharks? (Nature quiz book and had to look up aggregate which means mass)
7. When’s the last time someone put one over on you, told you a story that you totally fell for when it wasn’t anywhere near true?
My brother Ken is good at keeping a straight face. What he said, I don’t recall.
8. Ever seen Michael Jackson in person?
No
9. Do you have a gut?
Unfortunately I do and am not happy with it.
10. What is one thing in your kitchen you have too many/too much of?
I have lots of dinner plates.
11. Ever had a colon cleansing?
No, but the way mine acts, it wouldn’t be a bad idea. I heard that the prep for a colonscopy will clean you out well too and I will probably have one sooner or later.
What to play to?
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As I said last night, no car again. The tow truck came to get Bri’s car and it started up. It then started at the station. It must be an electrical problem. I woke up feeling funky about 6 am. I was hungry but felt worse as I was in a sweat. I think it’s my age for sure. Lucky me! My upper back is still sore too. My mom was saying how a sledding accident from when she was a girl showed up in a back x-ray when she was a senior citizen. Well I was in a car accident back in 1981 where my face got smashed again the windshield in a VW bug, and may be having issues. I guess I should get an x-ray sooner or later. I don’t like to talk about my health issues, but if I am MIA ever you will know what the problem is. I don’t want to be MIA, but sometimes I wonder.

Mar4

Waiting for something good to happen

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We went to pick up Brian’s car last night. Today he took it to work and when he went to go somewhere at around 2 pm it wouldn’t start again. So he needs to have it towed back to the shop. I guess it wasn’t the battery! I think they just put that in as they couldn’t figure out the problem which we are thinking is electrical. Please send us some good vibes.
I’m still getting having aches and pains, tonight it was my upper back. Tylenol seems to help, but I’m not crazy about taking it too often. I’m thinking tension and stress are playing mean tricks on me. I’ll keep you posted.
Oh, I was suppose to go to the Philly Flower Show tomorrow…no car…I’m hoping maybe Sunday. We’ll see. There’s always the orchid show at Longwood Gardens which is a stones’ throw from here and I can go when I want to go. : )

Mar3

Almost got through the winter

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I knew something wasn’t quite right with me. My head was hurting and after I did a little snow shoveling yesterday, it was downhill after that. Everything started to hurt, like when you have the flu. I managed to make dinner, but definitely was not myself. I used the heating pad on ‘a pull’ which helped-then the ache just moved somewhere else. Tylenol took the edge off for a few hours. Not sure where I got this bug, but I think I’m on the mend as I’m not as achy. My little fever was only 99.5 and below normal this morning. So far I don’ t have any respiratory issues, though yesterday I had tummy issues. I could only sleep with the sheet and duvet cover on me and it was cold last night in my room. Knocking wood that this is the worst of it.

Still no car for me. We haven’t heard from the shop about Bri’s car either.

Update-The repair station couldn’t really find anything wrong with Bri’s car, so they are replacing the battery. Seems it started up for them everytime they tried it. Hopefully we’ll get reembursed for the towing. Guess I can go with him to get it as now all my issues seem to be female-though if feeling like you had a touch of the flu is female, I’ll be darned. I’m getting there slowly.

Mar1

A little excursion before the storm

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On Friday night, right after I ordered our pizza dinner, Bri called to say his car wouldn’t start and he was still at work. He can come home for lunch and it was fine then. We are lucky he works in the next town, so I ran up there with the van and we tried to jump it-nothing. We later went to a book sale at a local high school, which was junky (they let book buyers come in first and they had box after box of ‘the good stuff’). I just had a few books and one I thought was 85 cents was in fact $5!-the dollar sign looked like an 8! I bought it anyway. We dropped by the parking lot again and the car still wouldn’t start. Bri left a note and we came home. Saturday morning he went up again to wait for the tow truck and didn’t his car turn over! He still had it towed as he didn’t want it to break down on him along our country back road. So now it sits at a service station about 5 miles from here. He just had it serviced a few months ago. I think it’s turning into a ‘nickel and dimer’, and he has the newest car-2000 and mine is a 1996!
A local church had a book sale too and we went to that. It was just before noon and people were just browsing because after the noon hour-it was $1 for a bag! It wasn’t really crowded, but man did the people there grab the bags and go to town. I bought mostly books I could cut up. I grabbed a few novels for my mom and ‘The Secret Garden’ for my niece. I was pleased when Bri found a book on the Vikings as Sean is doing a research paper on them and needs a little more info-what luck was that? So we gave them a little extra money as they were raising money for fire victims. I’m sure the high school book sale made 90% more than them and it’s a wealthy area.
After we hit Burger King, Bri wanted to get his license renewed, so we had to drive 18 miles to the license place in the town where he use to work. There was no wait and the man said Bri hadn’t changed in 4 years, a nice compliment. We drove through the town (some of which was used in the opening credits of the movie ‘Signs’) and ended up near the Herr’s Potato Chip Factory in Nottingham. I believe there is a little zoo there too. We were looking for a Goodwill drop off place. What we found was a big old horse barn-now a Flea Market. We decided to go in, but it wasn’t heated and about 35 degrees in there like it was outside. If it was warmer, I would have dug around more. I did get some pink glass cordials:
Flea market find pink glass cordials
an aqua colored small glass rooster (Bri almost insisted I get it-ah)
Flea market find Aqua rooster
and some old photos-all for $10. That was fun and I think I’ll go out again. It’s a straight trip on Route one, so hardly any stopping.
We did go to a Goodwill ‘shed’ in Hockessin, DE to drop of several bags of stuff-yeah! I then ran in Tuesday Morning to look around again and didn’t get that much-some papers and a little resin bird. I think I spent about $21 in the places I visited. I feel so frugal!
We are expecting 4-6″ of snow tonight and blizzard conditions. Bri is worried about driving around in our only good car. I said maybe he should wait an hour or so until they clean the roads off good. The road to town is curvy and downhill.
He is still having sleeping issues and tried to get the doctor to give him something and we aren’t sure if he did or not, we missed a private caller call one morning.
I hope all of you are keeping warm this weekend!
By the way, for my stitcher friends, I’m trying to finish up another UFO-will hopefully share it soon.

Feb23

Winter-beat it!

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I shouldn’t complain because two of my bloggy friends up north have been really dumped on by snow this winter. My Chicago pal has too. We’ve had about 6″ of snow, which is about right. It’s the wind and cold that goes right through you. I need to go to the food store, but the above is stopping me-I’m wimping out. : )
So it is ‘business as usual’ at Bri’s work. They and the Philly Inquirer both filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Day by day! Thanks for your concern and well wishes.
Tonight after I made a bacon, asparagus and red potato frittata (have a little heartburn), I got to work emptying one of my best clothes baskets that had stuff dumped in it-for almost 3 yrs. I don’t know why I let that go, but I am bound and determined to make that basement more presentable. Here all the paperwork for the kitchen remodel was in it! I was looking for that as the garden window leaks-hope it’s still under warranty. Water leaked in when Bri used the hose on it a year or so ago. Did they not seal it? My plants seem fine, I even had an orchid bloom.
My mom got a bump on her leg when my brother went to get her at the ER going on 3 weeks ago. He didn’t help her get in his truck. It scabbed over and now there is a raised bump on it. I am taking her to the doctor on Thursday to get it looked at. She said she fell down when going to use the bathroom last night too-lost her balance. I think she needs Gatorade or something. She’s ok. Constant worry.
Less than a month and Sean will be in Las Vegas on his school trip! He got a great deal and is excited about his first trip out west. I’ve never been out west myself.

Feb23

Applebees and Oscars

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Sunday seems to be my day to get mail together, make new collage cards and hopefully have a nice dinner.

First-the newspaper company that owns Brian’s newspaper declared bankruptcy (they just talked about it again on the news as I type this). We don’t know what that means right away, but it’s not something to put in the back of one’s mind. Bri’s worked for that company for 11 years now (though they were bought by another company a few years back). I guess we’re taking it day by day. I better keep my eye open for him and me! Sean will hopefully be adding to the finances in a few months too.

We had a boring array of food in the freezer as I need to go to the store and I remembered we had a $25 gift card to eat out!  We went to Apple*bees and got the 2-$20 special. The place wasn’t crowded, it was bitter cold tonight. We got the spinach and artichoke dip appetizer which was delicious. Then we both ordered the Lime Fiesta Chicken and that was pretty good too. I even had room for a Chocolate Mousse shooter dessert. It only cost us another $11 (plus tip).

Then I settled in with my stitching and watched the 81st Oscar ceremony. Hugh Jackman was the host and he was entertaining and quirky-funny dance and singing numbers. I liked how they brought past Oscar winners out-5 each, to each talk about each of the nominees. Many of the nominated ladies were very teary-eyed and touched. I was happy that Kate Winslet finally won. Many were moved when the late Heath Ledger won and his mom, dad and sister accepted the award for his 3 yr old daughter Matilda.
oscars

We are still getting  cold weather and wind-miserable. I should go to the store today. I’m probably not going to the doctor on Friday as the bloodwork Bri had last month is still in question-we have to wait for the bill so the family doctor can resubmit it.

Wish us luck and we’ll send it back to you!

Here’s a Mona Lisa card I made for a challenge to welcome spring! Mona is embossed in gold. I forgot how much fun embossing things are.

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A small ‘I recommend’-
Shea body butter-it’s so nice to put on dry skin this time of year. I got some that was marked down and it was still fine and took away that dry skin itch.

Feb18

Dianne’s Dummy guide to using a MP3 player

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Brian and I were in Big Lots Tuesday night and after we had checked out with our measly purchases, I took a gander at the locked cases around from the register. Here they had two different kinds of MP3 players for $24 and $40. My friend had recommended one over an i*pod as it was easier to download music (snicker snicker-more later). So I opted for the higher priced one because it had a bigger display screen. You can download photos and videos too. So I got home and while we were trying to get the DVD player to work (always remember to change the channel on the tv!), I looked at music on A*mazon and downloader software. Today I bought some music and the software wouldn’t download the songs to our computer. I called A*mazon twice. The first guy, was definitely an Indian (sounded like the guy from Heroes) and really didn’t help. The second guy, Teddy was a gem. Told me to get rid of the software and download right to our computer. It worked! So I have 20 songs and lots of space left on it. I don’t care for the earbuds-they hurt my ears. I need to get padded ones. And I need a case too. This was an early anniversary gift.
I bought this little Vera Bradley case for my player at eBags (great site)
verab
Keep Bri in your thoughts as he is suffering from insomnia really bad lately. He had that doctor visit last month and didn’t have any problems from his x-ray and bloodwork. He worries so much.
I may be seeing my mom tomorrow.

Feb15

He comes and goes so quickly

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Sean was home from late Friday until 2 pm this afternoon. It was a way too short visit, but I loved seeing him as usual. He looks good. We took him along to a restaurant where a group of my old high school classmates were suppose to be and we didn’t see anyone. We left before the band started at 8:30 as it was snowing like crazy and very dark out. We almost didn’t get dinner there as you suppose to have reservations, but they ‘gave us’ a canceled one and then handed us a Valentine’s menu that was $29.95 a person. Bri’s face fell a mile! We saw people eating pizza, so we asked and got their regular menu-sneaky!
Not much happening other than my brother got a lot of my mom’s basement cleaned out-he hired someone. Out of the living room went the old electric organ my grandmom traded for the piano back in about 1970 or so. I was just learning to play the piano, but I did alright with easy songs on the organ. Many of the notes didn’t work anymore and mom never played it. Without my grandmom using it, mom lost interest.
Have to call about text messaging tomorrow as Sean went bonkers doing so and our bill was high. Also have to call about Bri’s last bloodwork as the insurance said they weren’t paying for more than half-a lot-will have to get the doctor’s office to resubmit it. Both of the above put a damper on yesterday. Wish us luck!
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A little ‘I recommend’-be sure to check on the packaging on your favorite food and look at their website, especially if they are locally based. They may have some good recipes to share. Here’s locally produced Herr’s Potato chips (and other snacks) website with some yummy sounding recipes.

Jan22

Thursday Thunks

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You can play along too here.
1. Obama tattoos. What do you think of people who got one?
It’s their skin-if they like needles, more power to them. From another perspective-they are surely marking history in a mostly permanent way.
2. How many blogs do you read a day, and do you always comment?
Depends-yesterday, hardly any. Tonight maybe about 5 or so. I do try to comment as the mentioned 5 almost always do on my blog.
3. Do you know to swim?
I can, could be better. I do a mean back float.
4. Describe your favorite shirt.
It’s pale pink, a small ribbed double knit with long sleeves. It has a little sew in it (I darned a hole) and it is really comfy.
5. What is one thing that is ALWAYS on your grocery list? Extra points for imagination and creativity.
The second part doesn’t really go with the first-you know what you buy. I guess you mean other than milk or eggs. Hmmmm….how about Mini Pringles (I share them with the cat). Have you seen how cute a mini Pringle is?
6. Have you ever done any acting?
Personal life-yes! Ha-to get my own way?! I had a Play Production class in high school. I’m trying to remember if Paul DiMeo, the carpenter from ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ was in it-really! I did do a few scenes, one of which I was pregnant!
7. I just made a delicious smelling dinner with mystery meat. Will you have some?
No thank you… I just said I was ‘this close’ to being a vegetarian except hamburgers are so good!
8. If you are driving in the rain and you see a person walking along the road, do you intentionally try to splash them? No-if I didn’t like them, it’s a possibility.
9. Yearbooks- do you still have any from school? Of course! I remember many of my former classmates and have over 30 as Facebook pals.
10. What kind of shampoo do you use? Mostly Garnier Fructis in the lime green bottle.
11. And just to counter Ber’s first question from last week…. What’s the hottest temps you have experienced? Hmmmm…at least 103.

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Having some family issues yet again. Looks like mom is agreeing to help and things will be a-changing.
Bri was not feeling well at all on Wed., jittery, short of breath and came home early. He went to the doctor’s and today is getting a chest x-ray! He doesn’t smoke or is around smokers. I haven’t really seen him gasping for air, but he says he feels funny. I think he is exhausted from not sleeping well and the anxiety over his dad lately. Wish him well.

Jan18

Sunday’s ‘I Recommend’

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Welcome to the nineth (full) edition of ‘I recommend’. As the name implies, this is a share to recommend just about anything you like or have tried. It can be a book, drink, food, movie, music CD-anything.

cflBrian started to switch out our old standard lightbulbs last year to the ‘piggy tail’ Compact fluorescent lightbulbs. (This is a guy you could tell lived through the Energy crisis of the 70s as he is always turning lights off).They are recommended by Energy Star-

Why should people use CFLs?
Switching from traditional light bulbs (called incandescent) to CFLs is an effective, simple change everyone in America can make right now. Making this change will help to use less electricity at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change. Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy (electricity) than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little up front, and provide a quick return on investment.
If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, in one year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes. That would prevent the release of greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of about 800,000 cars.
Do CFLs contain mercury?
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use.
Most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their fluorescent lighting products. Thanks to technology advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent in the past year.

They really are energy savers. We saw our electric bill dip below $100 for the first time in years. They come in a cool blue and a more yellow,I prefer the yellowish myself. I guess they call these other names.
When we remodeled our kitchen, going on 3 years ago, we chose Energy Star appliances too-the dishwasher and frig.
Have a great Sunday and if you are off, a restful Martin Luther King’s Day.

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An Eagle fan photo:

brieag