Addendum to my previous post - Yes. I do watch too much TV. It's not like that's all I do. A lot of time I'm scrapping, doing cards, cleaning, playing with the dogs, etc. I think a big part of it is that my DH works nights and it's my way of coping with being alone. I don't have kids, just me and the dogs. And as much as I've tried to make them, they don't talk back. It's too quiet to not have the TV on. I don't turn it on until 7pm, but after then, when it starts getting dark (or is dark, this time of year) I almost have to have it on. Even right as I go to bed, I have it on until I'm ready to sleep. If I can't have my DH with me, at least my TV friends are there. Some nights, yes, all I do is watch TV. Other nights, I barely see what's going on, I'm doing so much other stuff. I guess my question was more, what do you think about what I watch, not how much.

Wow. Tomorrow is Halloween. I can hardly believe it! What's crazy is that more than being excited for Halloween today, I started thinking that I needed to get started on my Christmas shopping! I'm also in a panic about my Christmas cards. I'd tried to pose the dogs tonight to take a couple of pics, but they weren't too cooperative. Hopefully I can get an idea soon and at least have what I want to do planned out. Then I can get my supplies and start working on them! I usually make mine by hand, so the more time I have, the better.

I really need to get to my email. I'm so bad with that. Nothing that exciting ever happens, so it's hard to respond a lot of the time. I do eventually get back to everyone, but some times it's a month or so. I do feel guilty about it. Maybe some day I'll have an exciting life to email people about. I think I'd bore them with my TV schedule. And, yet, I write a blog. Ironic, I know. Maybe I should give you all my TV schedule!! :)

Monday:
7:00 How I Met Your Mother
7:30 The Class
8:00 Flip Channels
9:00 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Tuesday:
Watch CSI Miami and Weeds that I taped yesterday
9:00 Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

Wednesday:
7:00 America's Next Top Model
8:00 Flip Channels
9:00 Top Chef or CSI: NY (not decaded to either)

Thursday:
7:00 Usually Survivor
8:00 Grey's Anatomy
9:00 Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Dual
9:30 Watch taped CSI

Friday: (if I'm home)
7:00 Ghost Whisper (if it doesn't look too scary)
8:00 Las Vegas or What not to Wear

Saturday:
Whatever - no set schedule

Sunday:
7:00 Simpsons
7:30 Whatever is after the Simpsons
8:00 Desperate Housewives

Yes, I have no life.

Any of these shows surprise anyone? I'm interested in hearing what you think....

My friend Linda talked about politics on her blog the other day and inspired me to take a crack at it. My basic philosophy on politics is that Governments job is to take care of safety and roads. Everything else should be dealt with by the private sector. Safety includes police, fire, army, and all that jazz. If that was all they dealt with, our taxes would be so much lower that we could afford to give to private organizations that would help the homeless, poor, etc. What about schools you ask? I think they should all be private. If they were, we would know where all of the money was spent and what was going on. If not, people would send their kids somewhere else. There’s just not enough accountability now. The worse idea in the world is to have universal health care. It doesn’t work anywhere else, no matter what anyone tells you. If the Government got their hands on all that money, we’d be worse off than we already are. It’s not that I don’t trust the Government; I just don’t trust them with money. They seem to screw up everything they get their hands on. We chose to fight for our freedom from England over taxes, but now things are almost as bad. At least we have representation, but that’s about it. This is why I vote Republican most of the time. They usually go for small Government. USUALLY. I was also listening to talk radio today and they were talking about why people choose to not like a celebrity after they find out their politics. For me, I'd rather not know. It really ruins it for me when I find out that my favorite actor or actress is a member of PETA or something like that. There is nothing wrong with belonging to that group, but I just don't agree with it. It just puts a bad taste in my mouth. Tell me what they're wearing, who they're dating, not who they're voting for. Maybe it's because my parents never talked about politics around me. They still won't tell me who they voted for!!

Now on a lighter note - all you scrapbookers out there HAVE TO check this out!! It's so funny!

Ah...Tracy is going to kill me. Is this really what I'd do to the woman who introduced me to my DH? Really? Pay back's a bitch! ;) This picture is in my dorm room at UMD in the winter of 1996 after I became friends with Tracy. She is the blonde, face-down, getting hog-tied. Why, do you ask? Because she let us. The other person in the picture was my roommate Anne. We had too much fun with jello shots that night. I'd show you other pictures, but that wouldn't be fair to Tracy. I'm just hoping she doesn't start a blog and post pictures of me. We lived together two years, so I know she's got dirt on me. Now she's married to her college sweetheart and has a baby. To think she turned 30 yesterday. You gotta remember the good times!! Love you, Trac! Hope you had a great birthday!!

I've been thinking a lot about how I thought my life would turn out compared to what actually is. When I was in HS, I thought I'd live in the city, probably Minneapolis, with some high powered advertising job. I'd live in a loft apartment with modern decor and date artists and musicians. Wow. I don't think my life could be more different. Living in the sticks, just an admin for a dealership, living in a modest house with more of a country, shabby chic decor, and married to someone completely opposite from an artist or musician (although he did play in band in HS). Some very small part of me wishes I could have lived that other life, it sounds so glamorous. But think of all that I would be giving up. DH, the dogs, scrapbooking, fresh air, less stress at work, nothing but pluses. It's nice to mull over what could of been, but I'm happy right where I am.

I did the coolest thing tonight! I missed Gray's Anatomy on Thursday and I was able to watch it on my computer! How cool is that! It freezed up a couple of times and I had to start it over (but still able to fast forward to where I was) but otherwise it was great! Maybe people have been doing this for a long time, but I'm also the girl who just got an iPod and they're celebrating 5 years today. What a techno loser I am!

This weekend ROCKED! I had a blast scrapping with Alli, Linda, and 12 of the craziest ladies you've ever met. I barely got anything done, I was laughing so much! You gotta love going into the north woods and kicking it with 16 scrappers for 4 days. Too bad we can't do it more often.

Too bad work had be such a let down. I think everyone waited until today to have their problems. Too many issues from deliveries this summer. Too little time. At least the day went quickly. Hopefully the rest of the week will too.

The dogs are fighting right now. Orion is chewing on Baron like he's eating corn on the cob. Baron was running around like a maniac a minute ago. I have to go and tell them to stop chewing on their brother. Night.

I'm super excited! DH and Orion got home this afternoon! It was great to see both of them after a week. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder! Then, tomorrow, I'm going to a Scrapbook Cabin in Motley, MN until Sunday! How cool is that! I was just there in August, and now I'm going back. It'll be fun to hang out with my friends Linda and Alli - they're always such a blast to be with. I'm sure I'll end up laughing more than scrapbooking, but that's really what it's about - the fun! You don't take off two days of work to get done as much as you can - you do it for the fun! If you're interested, the place is called Raspberry Ridge.

Happy Birthday, Alli!

Can you believe this mail day?!?! I hardly know what to do with myself! What am I going to do first? Read a magazine or play with my new iPod which is finally here!!! I usually don't get mail days this good! Okay, I'm off to play with all of my new toys!

Baron and I went to Chuck and Don's Pet Food Outlet tonight. I've never taken either dog to a pet store, but I've always wanted to. DH thinks that they would be too much trouble, so he's never wanted to take them. Baron was a little freaked in the car, but he settled down after awhile. We first walked through the dog food area, just so he could get out the "smell" in him. I'm sure his senses were having a field day! Then we went over to the treat and toy area. He tried to grab a couple of things, but I didn't let him. I was really surprised that he was a good boy for the most part! He did come out of his collar a couple of times (damn DH for thinking he needs it to be so big!) but he stayed right by me while I put it back on. They do tempt the dogs with treats out in the open at their level, but he didn't get any or really even try and get any. We got a couple of marrow bone filled with peanut butter and a chuckit! jr. I think he really liked it. I'm sure he'll have to tell Orion all about it when he gets home so he's jealous! He got his bone when we got home and we'll probably try the chuckit! tomorrow or Sunday.

Now I just feel bad! DH and Orion just left. Baron is going around, looking for Orion, and whining. Doesn't he look sad? He's only been away from Orion three other times - when he got fixed, when he had surgery, and when Orion went to North Dakota last time. And that's been since he was 4 months old. Now he's 5. He just seems lost without him. And there's nothing I can do about it. Just give him lots of belly rubs and attention!!

Baby it's cold outside! There were actually snow flurries here today. I could see my breath when I let the dogs out tonight. I wore my winter coat to work. The water in my fountain on the deck was frozen. All of this in October! It's not right! I like cool, fall weather, not cold!

DH leaves tomorrow for a week of hunting in the farthest northwest corner of North Dakota. He's super excited. I'm excited for him and excited to have some time to myself, but I will miss him. Orion is going with him. Baron is staying home with me. He's too much of a Momma's boy to go away for a week. At least I'll have one heater staying home with me in this cold weather. I know I should take this time that he's away and really clean the house, but that sounds boring. Oh sure, I'll do some of it, but not enough.

Tomorrow there's a sales meeting at work, which means all of the salesmen will be there. Normally, they're on the road and only in the office once or twice a month. It's fun when they're all there. Not much work gets done and we usually all go for lunch. Then it's Friday and the work week is done! Woohoo!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Nephew!

I just got off the phone with my nephew, he said that he was almost three (really three today) and that he had birthday shrimp for dinner. He also said Happy Birthday to Gramma when I told him Happy Birthday. I'm sure he'll get it soon enough. This is a pic from his birthday party last weekend. DH and I got him this shirt. That's Diesel 10, a naughty engine from Thomas The Tank Engine. Why he's his favorite, I have no idea. But it made the kid happy, so I got it for him. If you're ever looking for a great place to buy Thomas items - check out AllAboardToys.com.

Had a pretty good weekend. DH and I worked around the house. It's unusual that we're both home on weekends, DH is usually hunting and I'm off shopping or scrapping, so it was nice to be together. He dethatched the lawn and I did laundry and cooked. I don't do much cooking, we both work opposite shifts and it's hard to cook for one, so it's nice to do it every once in awhile. This morning we ran errands and I took a nap when we got home. I love naps! Hopefully I can fall asleep tonight, otherwise work isn't going to be much fun in the morning. DH also made goose jerky this weekend. It's the only way to eat goose. He does a good job with it.

Nothing too exciting, but it was a great weekend.

Words of advice for the day - Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

That's it for today!

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

I love you!

My Mom and I - June 1981

It sucks that the Twins lost again today. Hopefully they can win the next three (yea right) and move on. MN professional sports never do that well, so it's nice to see the Twins actually in the playoffs.

Tomorrow is the open house at work. I have to blow up balloons (with helium luckily) and help set up and then help tear down at the end of it. At least I won't be bored most of the day. Hopefully it will go smoothly.

The Schwanns man should be here soon. I'm needing strawberry bars and drumsticks. Okay, need is a strong word, but it sure feels like a need.

I'm really bummed. My new iPod should have been here yesterday, and it's still not here today. I'm super excited to get it and try it out. Hopefully it will be here tomorrow. It's coming from Canada, so I don't know if that's holding it up or not.

If you didn't check out my post from the 1st that I put up late, you should. It's of two cool houses I saw on the Parade of Homes.

Here's wishing for Ice Cream and iPods!

I got out my fall and Halloween decorations tonight. This is one of my favorites. DH and I went to Salem, MA on our Honeymoon and this was my souvenier from there. It's not that scary, but I think of that trip every time I look at it. It's raining like a mo-fo here. I think we're even getting small hail. I was hoping to take a picture of it, but it was too small. The dogs are NOT happy about the thunder. Baron has finally moved more than 2 inches from me. I hope it doesn't last too long, or I'm sure it's going to be a long night!!

This one's for you, Linda....

He's watching you!!!

FTF?!?!



What is going on this week? Three school shootings in 3 school days? My question is - how did this all start? Who decided it was okay to do this? I've never been so pissed off at someone that I wanted to shoot them and others around them! I think the worse part about it is that most of these shooters do all this damage and then kill themselves. Thanks. You take our children's innocence and you're not even going to stick around to tell us why? Selfish. Pure Selfish. I remember I was in college when the Columbine massacre happened. I watched CNN and the like for two days straight. I couldn't believe what was happening. Now, I found out that the school in Wisconsin is the same one my cousin was the Assistant Principal at two years ago. It very easily could have been him. And now an Amish school? They stay out of society for religious beliefs and we're going to bring them this? I'm sure they'd rather start with a tractor or phone, but no, we'll just jump right into the senseless slaughter of their children. I'm sure they're running to join the mainstream as I write. Is it even worth bringing a child into all this? How do you explain this to any child? "Now, school is supposed to be a place to learn, but some day, if a kid you pissed off comes to school with a gun, that might be it!" Good luck to all the parents out there who have to try and make sense of this themselves, and then to their kids. Now I'm just starting to think even meaner thoughts. I better stop while I'm ahead. I was going to post pretty pictures from this weekend, but the internet was slow and now you got this. I hope the shooters rot in hell for what they've done. Peace to all of the families and friends of the victims. May God save all our souls - we obviously need it.

Had a great weekend at home! My Mom and I went to two different Parade of Homes houses - they were so cool! This one was made out of recycled and reclaimed materials.

This is looking from the second level to the kitchen. They had this old metal roofing over the kitchen.

This was the door for the little girls room. I love the hardware and how the middle of it opens!

They actually made their guest bathroom to look like an outhouse! How creative!! By the way, that is rusty well water - get your mind out of the gutter!

Cool floor to ceiling bookshelves made out of Barn Wood. I love library ladders!

The second house was built by the same builder. This was was more to my liking. They even had a dog room in the basement!

The had two of these fixtures above the dining table. There wasn't any room for art, so it was a cool idea that they used such decorative fixtures.

The whole basement was a winery theme. It wasn't exactly what I'd have, but it looked great and made the basement look less than, well, a basement.

This was the mural they had painted on the back wall of the basement.

This was the door to the wine cellar. All of the trim in the winery area was this color and technique.

I promise that was the last picture!