A Day in the Life

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Princess and The Pea - Day 59


I have been having trouble sleeping these last few months...my hips get sore when I lay on my sides. Owen had this mattress cushion and I tried that on my side of the bed, then we found a Memory Foam topper which worked even better. But reading the warning on the foam package, it is very flammable, burns at a very high heat, consumes oxygen at a high rate posing a danger of suffocation, AND hazardous gasses released while burning can be fatal to humans. Once extinguished, it may reignite. Makes me wonder if the pain relief is really worth the danger. (I guess I won't be using my heating pad on the bed for a while.) However, it IS hypo-allergenic. Yeah! Since it doesn't totally relieve the pain, I'm going to try both toppers to see if that helps. It's no fun getting older (and I'm not even that old!)

Friday, February 27, 2009

Happy Birthday, Josh! - Day 58


Today is Josh Groban's birthday and I've heard that he is all of 28. I have seen him in concert three times...once in Seattle, once in Auburn, and once in New York City where I went for MY birthday 5 years ago (a very fun trip!)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Circular Cat - Day 57

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Another Favorite (Cheeseburger Site) - Day 56

funny pictures
moar funny pictures

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Lots of Boys - Day 55

On Sunday, my boys went with their dad to see their little brother Gabe who is 3 1/2. They visit usually every other Sunday. Nicholas has been working many of the Sundays so hasn't been able to go up north, so I asked for a picture of all three together this time.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Semi-Annual Cleaning - Day 54

Today was our 8 month anniversary. We went to dinner at Chevy's, helped the economy by finally buying a subwoofer, then got my ring cleaned at Zales. I like having it cleaned every 6 months (although I clean it in between) but last time the main stone was loose so they fixed it. With this style of ring, the warranty is very important!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

New Definitions - Day 53

Here is the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, & supply a new definition. Here are the winners:


1. Cashtration: The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid & an asshole.

3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid

7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

8 Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit & the person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes & it's like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido: All talk & no action.

14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning & cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.



The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are :

1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.

6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle, n.A humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with yiddishisms.

15. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Blogging - Day 52


Matthew says my blog is boring...food and books. Hmmm. So here is one of his interesting photo creations.

We (Brenda, Wendy, and I) went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic. It was a cute movie, kind of predictable, but also had some funny lines. The main actress was perfect for the role.

Friday, February 20, 2009

What Came in the Mail - Day 51


We got a box in the mail today.

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah was in the box, among other things. I've been waiting to get my hands on this book...I've heard great things about it. But one friend from work told me to wait awhile to read it since we recently lost a friend (I don't know specifically what happens in the novel but maybe I'll wait).

And look how nicely it goes with The Godmother (the book I bought for its cover). I just love books. :)

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Interesting Cooking - Day 50


Matthew suggested sprinkles in the clam chowder...Owen actually put them in! Then food coloring was added. Made for an interesting soup!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Yummy Dinner - Day 49

Owen and I went to El Toro to use my cool coupon. I wanted to try something new so I tried Carne Asada Tacos...they are my new favorite. I LOVED them! Their salsa is not my favorite but it is still addicting. This is an internet image (I forgot to take a picture), but I will definitely have them again.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Highlight of My Day - Day 48

Since the boys are on Mid-Winter Break and were at their dad's last night (which is close to my school), they came to my school and we went out to lunch. We used to go to Round Table quite often, especially when they calculated the price of their pizza buffet based on the kids' ages. Now that they are teens and eat a ton, they are regular price. It was worth it today...it was very neat to go out to lunch with them, especially during my work day.


This is my favorite variety...Maui Zaui. I love the sweet Polynesian sauce on it...yum!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Happy Presidents' Day - Day 47


In honor of Presidents' Day, here's Abe, courtesy of Matthew.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Apartment Living - Day 46



My dad cut down the bee's nest that was built in one of their rhodie bushes. Matthew got some good photos of the inside. I was surprised at how tiered it was inside.
This is what it looked like last summer.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Valentine's Dinner - Day 45

Owen made reservations for our Valentine's Dinner at Duke's. Their pan seared wild salmon with balsamic sauce is absolutely wonderful, especially paired with the garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus (yes, Mom, I ate the asparagus!) :) Owen had salmon and halibut stuffed with crab which was very good also. Happy Valentine's Day everybody!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Special Delivery - Day 44


Owen sent me flowers today...the boys and I went shopping at Target and when we got home, these were waiting for me on the porch. :)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Valentine Party - Day 43

Since we have a 4-day weekend, we had our Valentine Party today. My kids wanted to make salsa since we read a little article called "Growing Salsa" in our reading book. It talked about growing tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro in the garden. We ended up in a big discussion about salsa and they wanted to make it. I forgot for a while, then two different kids reminded me. We decided to make that for our party. Different kids brought in different items, I did the main chopping and they did the machine chopping/mixing. It turned out ok and about 2/3 of them ate it during the party and all but one tried it. This little bear was a gift from one of my students.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Yesterday's Snow - Day 42


Matthew took a picture of the quick snowfall with his phone, forgot about it, then emailed it to me tonight. I had thought we were finished with the snow but I guess Mr. Groundhog was correct...6 more weeks of winter. I didn't mind it too much...the class got a bit hyper, but the roads were not slick when I drove home, thanks to working a few hours later than normal at a workshop. By then, the rain had started and the drive was a piece of cake. It sure is pretty, but I hate sliding in it like this morning.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Small Animal Covers - Day 41


Covers with small animals on the front...for some reason these are pretty much last on my list to read (the Curious Incident book will be closer to the top). The covers don't really intrigue me. I guess I'm judging books by their covers, hmmm?

Monday, February 09, 2009

Cottage Books - Day 40

Look at all these cottages...or are they chalets? Maybe I'll choose the next one of these to read based on which cottage/chalet I like best.

We had a Science workshop tonight which was actually pretty worthwhile and the BEST part was that we got out early!!! My class tomorrow night is only 2 hours so I should be able to survive. :)

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Bored? - Day 39

funny pictures
moar funny pictures
Bored? Check out I Can Has Cheeseburger...once I got over the grammar and spelling (hard for a teacher to do), I laughed hysterically at some of the pictures. I'll share a few of my favorites in the next few weeks (and yes, I still have some book covers to share).

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Just for its Cover - Day 38


This book, The Godmother by Carrie Adams,I got strictly because I liked the look of the cover. Have you ever done that? Share the title if you remember.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Books that Look Like Books - Day 37


How about books that are decorated to look like books? Do they think we don't know what they are? :)

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Books with Docks - Day 36


That sounds really weird, doesn't it? Books with Docks. Again, I haven't read any of these...just 4 of the 200+ books on my "to read" shelf. (I'm just a little bit addicted to PaperBackSwap.) I enjoyed the last book I read by Carol Goodman and I can't wait to get to the Susan Wiggs book (she almost local!). I need to "relax" (my word of the year) and read a bit more instead of taking these looonnnggg classes after work. Tonight was a WebQuest class. It was pretty good but tiring. I have two more classes next week and then I won't have any for a while.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Road Books - Day 35


How about some road books? Haven't read either yet.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Photo Shop Class Part 2 - Day 34

Matthew and I went to the second part of the Photo Shop class. The instructors made a mistake on the listing so most of the people were there for the first part of the class. It turned out ok because they taught it a bit differently, taught some things they didn't change last time, and it was a much needed review (for me) from the last class. What we missed out on was the video portion but that was fine with me.



The top two are Matthew's, the bottom one is mine.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Similar Biographies - Day 33


Here are a couple of covers...notice head shots with hands, both black and white. Makes you wonder if they're put out by the same publisher or something (I didn't check that).

Sunday, February 01, 2009

The Next American Idol - Day 31

Happy February...can you believe how quickly January flew by? And now I present...the next...American Idol!!!