June 29, 2004
A Touchy Subject
THIS article on the BBC News site is fascinating. Read it and then tell me how you can still believe that abortions are okay. I won’t even get into the partial birth abortion debate because it sickens me.
Posted by tami at 10:39 PM Comments (3)
Limits
How close are you to your relatives or friends? Would you drink after them? I asked myself this question after seeing a man take a drink from a water bottle that his sister-in-law had just taken a drink out of. He didn’t think a thing of it, but it made me think, “They must be a close family”.
I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with what he did, but for me drinking after someone is very personal. I only share my drinks with Kevin and Ashley. My son always gets his own drink or I would share with him also. My daughter on the other hand, drinks out of my glass because it is always closer than her bottle down the hall in the fridge. It’s sad, but true.
This reminds me of one Thanksgiving Day at my parent’s house. They had invited some friends over to dinner. I had just finished filling my glass with ice and a nice cold Diet Sunkist. It was filled to the brim and I was ready to sit down and eat when one of their friend’s said, “Oh, I’ve never tried a Diet Sunkist. Mind if I take a sip?” I told her that she could just have it, but she insisted that she only wanted to try it. Well, what was I supposed to say? I handed her the glass while inside I was thinking of how I was going to have to sneak in the kitchen, dump that glass out, and make me a new glass – clean glass and all. I did manage it, but I thought it was very forward of her to do that.
I believe that a lot of things can be passed from drinking after another person and I don’t want to catch anything. I definitely have my limits. Do you?
Posted by tami at 9:11 PM Comments (1)
June 28, 2004
Candy Bars
Yesterday Ashley was watching Nickelodeon and a commercial came on. It was Linda Ellerbee of Nick News and she was saying how bad kids’ nutrition is and that they only like to eat junk. Getting enough exercise is also a big problem. THIS LINK should take you to a page where you can see a short video excerpt of the program.
When this commercial came on my back was turned to the computer. As I turned around to hear more about this bad nutrition in kids’ health, I spotted Ashley lying on the bed with her chocolate box lying next to her. As she watched, she put another Nestlé Crunch bar into her mouth (it was a mini bar). Linda Ellerbee would have passed out had she witnessed that scene! I know it’s no excuse, but it does console me to know that Ashley is skinny as a rail and that she is in no way going to be obese. She hates to sweat and loves to lie in bed and drink chocolate milk while watching TV. If I was as tiny as she is, I would do the same.
Posted by tami at 9:13 PM Comments (3)
June 27, 2004
A New Pattern
Having an abundance of khaki colored material Kevin has decided to use some of it by making us an apron. Every time I fry bacon, I ruin a shirt. This should solve that problem. It will look like one of the ones below.
Yes, he has moved from the oven to the sewing machine, but that’s okay. I know that if I want him to cook something special he will. He’s one of a kind and I am very grateful.
Posted by tami at 10:36 PM Comments (2)
June 25, 2004
Attention Singles!
As promised Kevin cooked ribs, cole slaw, and BBQ beans for dinner. Everything was wonderful! This was mine and Ashley’s first half slab of ribs and we loved every minute of it. She was messier than I was, but the result was the same!
I love having a husband who can cook! For you unwed girls out there, this is something you need to look for ;)
Posted by tami at 10:01 PM Comments (3)
June 24, 2004
The English Language
I got this in an email today and had to share. It may be hard for my overseas friends to understand. The way that we pronounce things can sometimes be very different.
Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Valid Points:
*There is neither egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France (Surprise!). Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.
*Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. And why is it that writer's write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
*If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth?
*One goose, 2 geese.. So one moose, 2 meese?
*Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend. If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it an odd, or an end?
*If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
*In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?
*How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.
*English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.
*That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.
*P.S. - Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"?
Posted by tami at 4:25 PM Comments (2)
French Toast
About a week ago on the Food Network, Kevin watched someone make this Crunchy Vanilla-Almond French Toast with Fancy Fruit Topping. He told me about it and I agreed that it sounded wonderful and that he would have to make it. We both agreed though that he wouldn’t make the fruit topping part; we just wanted the special French toast.
Kevin cooked it to perfection. It looks beautiful and it smelled wonderful. Our stomachs growled in anticipation.
Would you believe that it was the blandest thing that I have ever eaten? There was texture to it, but really no flavor. I think the fruit must have played a major role and we left it off! It’s too bad that we hated it!
Tomorrow night Kevin is making BBQ ribs, cole slaw, and BBQ beans. This is also something that he has never made at home. He says that after this meal, he’s not cooking for another three months. YEA, RIGHT!!!
Posted by tami at 4:07 PM Comments (3)
June 23, 2004
Beautiful Bread
Kevin decided to bake yesterday. He chose this Jewish Challah bread. It tastes the same as regular bread and is wonderful with butter! This is his best bread yet! The crust was perfect and flaky; just as it should be.
Tomorrow he’s going to make a special French toast. I will let you know how that turns out!
Posted by tami at 2:38 PM Comments (6)
June 22, 2004
An Oprah Book
Christy, a friend of mine, and I got on the subject of books. She asked me if I had ever read any books from Oprah's Book Club. I told her no, that I figured someone died, or a child went missing or something bad happened in every book that she picked. Now, I don’t know if this is true or not; it’s just what I have always thought – that Oprah would want to pick something that would really pull at those heart strings.
Christy had been holding a book that she wanted me to read. She laughed and said, “Well, someone DOES die in this book, but it’s really good.” So Sunday evening I began reading The Rapture of Canaan written by Sheri Reynolds. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the thing down. I finished it last night at 2:30 in the morning! The sections aren’t divided by chapters, only large spaces, so it’s really easy to just keep reading on and on.
It’s about a young girl named Ninah Huff who has been brought up in the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God’s Almighty Baptizing Wind her entire life. The book goes through what her daily life is like and what all of the rules are that they must live by. Her Grandpa Herman, the founder of the church, has tweaked the Bible to say what he wants it to say. Therefore, he has made his own rule book which the congregation must follow. People are scared to do anything in this community or they will receive the wrath of Grandpa Herman.
I was amazed at some of the punishments inflicted, but I bet if you looked around today there are church’s that still behave this way. I don’t want to say a lot and give things away; you’ll just have to read it for yourself. However the entire time that I was reading this, I wanted the main character to just leave, but things like that don’t happen. When you’re a child you have to do what your parents are doing and that’s that.
I laughed out loud when I read these words spoken by Grandpa Herman at the end of one of his sermons, “I want every head bowed and every eye closed”. My, oh, my! This is exactly what our pastor says at the end of each of his sermons. Now, I’m not saying the two are anything alike because they aren’t, but I’m just pointing out that he DOES say those words each and every Sunday.
It’s an interesting book that keeps you wondering what the outcome will be. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to someone else. Thanks, Christy :)
Posted by tami at 12:20 PM Comments (2)
June 19, 2004
Parris Island Marines
Father's Day is tomorrow which naturally brings thoughts to me of my dad. When I think of him, this song/chant always comes to mind that he taught me while I was growing up. He is a Marine who fought in the Vietnam War and told me that it always touched him to hear fifty men lined up singing this at night.
We were born on Parris Island, the land that God forgot.
The sands are eighteen inches deep, the sun is blazing hot.
We get up every morning way before the dawn,
And run a hundred miles or more, before the day is gone.
So listen to me girl, to what I have to say.
You'll find yourself a tough Marine for each and every day.
He'll love you and he'll kiss you, he'll never be untrue.
Because there's nothing in this whole wide world a Marine cannot do.
And when I get to Heaven, Saint Peter I will tell:
Another Marine reporting Sir; I've served my time in Hell.
And when I look beside me, what will I see?
A hundred thousand more Marines, standing next to me.
Marines. Marines. Marines.
Posted by tami at 1:09 PM Comments (1)
June 16, 2004
Two Hours
We had some friends in England a few years ago. That was when we had an English neighbor from Leicester. I think I have said before that I loved his family. They were great fun. Anyway, we will never forget when their daughter came over to our house. She was about 5 years old and said, “You have TWO toilets!?” It was a question and an exclamation at the same time. I have noticed on many BBC programs that there is normally only one bathroom. I was raised in a house with only one bathroom. We were used to it and we somehow managed; even with three women in the house! I think I’m a bit spoiled now. We have a full bath (shower/bathtub, sink, and toilet) and a half bath (sink and toilet only). I am explaining in parenthesis for my overseas readers.
The half bath is the one with all of my make-up, nail polish, hairspray, brushes, medicines, and the list goes on. This is also the room that Andrew, Ashley, and I use to brush our teeth. Kevin gets the full, big bathroom all to himself. I actually chose this set-up believe it or not. I figure when company comes over they will use the big bathroom since it is off the hall. They will therefore not see any of my “stuff”. To get to my bathroom you actually have to go through my bedroom. Most company (with any manners) wouldn’t do this without asking first and then only if the big bathroom is in use.
Why in the world am I rambling on about bathrooms? Well, I’ll tell you. I had to clean both of them today and it was no fun at all. You people with only one bathroom have that to be thankful for: there is only the one to clean. Luckily we only have one shower/bathtub, but we do have two sinks, and yes, TWO toilets. You get to clean those plus any pictures hanging on the walls, the base boards around the floor (I have no idea what they are called in England. I think around the ceiling it is referred to as coving.) Anyway, you get my meaning. I do this job often. All families do unless they have maids or male servants (Lynne – lucky dog!).
I know we all do it, but I just thought I would share that with you. It might be a mundane post, but I like reading how people spend their days. Cleaning the bathrooms took about two hours of my day. How did you spend yours?
Posted by tami at 4:54 PM Comments (3)
June 15, 2004
Terrific Tips
A friend sent me these household tips and I thought I would pass them along.
*Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately -- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers."
*Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?
*Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
*Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
*Sore Throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
*Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly -- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
*Eliminate puffiness under your eyes..... All you need is a dab of preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The hemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling instantly.
*Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin, sterile, and speeds healing. This works overnight.
*Listerine therapy for toenail fungus... Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
*Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
*Coca-Cola is a cure for rust... Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
*Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer... If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
*Smart splinter remover... just pour a drop of Elmer’s Glue all over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
*Hunt's tomato paste boil cure... Cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
*Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine...a powerful antiseptic.
*Heinz vinegar to heal bruises... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
*Kills fleas instantly. Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly.
Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.
*Rainy day cure for dog odor... Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
*Eliminate ear mites... All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in and then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
*Vaseline cure for hair balls..... To prevent troublesome hair balls, apply a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat's nose. The cat will lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass easily through the digestive system.
*Quaker Oats for fast pain relief.... It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
Posted by tami at 9:37 PM Comments (6)
June 13, 2004
Truly Macabre
Several weeks ago someone sent me the web link that would direct me to the videoed beheading of the United States soldier, Nick Berg. The person who sent it to me had no idea how offensive it was to me however, I had to ask myself: would I want to see something like that? My answer was quick enough. It was a firm NO. I don’t want to see violence of this caliber and I cannot imagine why anyone else would either. Why would you want to see the authentic terror, torture, and then beheading of a person?
Apparently since 1978 people have craved this kind of viewing. The movie Faces of Death and its many sequels prove this. I for one don’t get into the gory, morbid movies. When I do watch a movie with some violence I can rest easy knowing that none of it is real. How in the world can a person watch these Faces of Death movies knowing that the people depicted are actually dying? I think it’s sick and disgusting. I also feel a loathing for people who would watch that soldier being beheaded just for kicks. Why else would they watch? Because of curiosity you may say. I think we can all imagine what a beheading is like without actually seeing it. If anyone should send you the link I would hope that you would have the decency and decorum to delete it immediately for the memory of Nick Berg and for his family. May he rest in peace.
Posted by tami at 11:37 PM Comments (3)
June 12, 2004
Flavors Galore
I have my sister to thank for something good, but very bad at the same time. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream is what I’m referring to. Kevin and I had never tried it before until a few weeks ago when Jennifer called me raving that I HAD to try Oatmeal Cookie Chunk and another one called Everything But The which has chunks of Heath Bar, White Chocolate chunks, Peaunt Butter Cups, and almonds. We have now tried these flavors plus many, many others. Last night I had a new flavor called Dublin Mudslide. It has Irish Cream Liqueur Ice Cream with Chocolate, Chocolate Cookies, and a Coffee Fudge Swirl. This and the Oatmeal Cookie Chunk are my top two favorite flavors. The only bad thing is that now we're addicted!
I have to commend Ben and Jerry not only on their flavor, but also on their packaging. They put a plastic seal around the top which ensures that no one has tampered with the ice cream inside. Edy's Ice Cream on the other hand, has NOTHING which prevents someone from opening the carton and inserting whatever they like, be it their fingers, pills, or whatever. I know that I have emailed them and so has my aunt in an effort to get them to put some kind of protective plastic over the top of their containers. They answered me by saying that they were still looking into ways of doing this. They answered my aunt by sending her a coupon in the mail. That’s very typical of companies now days; they think that they can just send you a coupon and that will shut you up. Not me. I’ll stick with Ben and Jerry’s. Oh and FYI Edy’s: Blue Bunny has the exact same containers as you do and they DO have plastic coverings. So, it can be done. If you’re trying to save a dime, you’re not. In fact, you’re losing customers who are willing to pay a little more for their own safety.
Sorry about the rant, but that has bothered me for years! So, what is your favorite ice cream? To all of you not in the U.S.: do you eat much ice cream?
Posted by tami at 11:45 PM Comments (5)
June 11, 2004
Bad Tami
Want to know a dirty little secret about me? The water conservationists will have a fit.
I have a bad habit of washing a load of clothes and then forgetting that they are in the washer for several days. So by the time I do remember them and go to put them in the dryer they have a mildewed smell and I have to wash them all over again. As a result I end up using double the water and detergent that was really needed. Okay, you can boo me now.
Posted by tami at 11:36 AM Comments (5)
June 10, 2004
Couch Potato? Not Me! HA! HA!
Yesterday I sat down with Andrew and Ashley and watched Lilo & Stitch. I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t that impressed with it. There was nothing wrong with it; it just isn’t one that I will watch again. It did have its funny moments however, a lot of these moments I had already seen in commercials before the movie was released. Sometimes they have a way of giving everything away just to hype it up, but then you miss that funny experience when you watch the movie itself.
I watched a movie a few nights ago that I bet a lot of you missed. It was called Secondhand Lions. It starred Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Haley Joel Osment. In my opinion Haley Joel Osment can act! I have loved him in everything that I’ve ever seen him in.
Anyway, Secondhand Lions was imaginative, funny, and a bit like Big Fish if you have ever seen that movie. The reason I compare it to Big Fish is because there are characters in both movies who love to tell stories and you really aren’t 100% sure if the stories are true until the end when all is revealed. It’s a clean movie and worth seeing at least once.
Posted by tami at 11:55 AM Comments (5)
June 8, 2004
Canned
I am upset! Alex Kingston the British actress who plays a doctor on the show ER is getting the boot. She was my very favorite person on that show and now it won’t be the same without her. Ever since her husband died (Doctor Green), they really haven’t had a story line for her. They’ve had her dating various people which I think is totally out of character for her. These people apparently don’t realize that they’re letting go of a leading actress. :(
Posted by tami at 10:31 PM Comments (4)
35th
To my best friend and partner in crime: Happy Birthday Kevin! I love you!
Posted by tami at 9:51 PM Comments (1)
June 6, 2004
Living On The Edge
I love these medicine commercials. Yes, I’m being sarcastic. They want you to take their product, but then warn that there may be side effects. May cause drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sexual side effects can occur, bleeding and or heart palpitations. Now what are you trying to get rid of that you would be willing to risk having those side effects?
Posted by tami at 3:01 PM Comments (0)
June 5, 2004
Keeping Up Appearances
Last night we went to Gatti Town for dinner. Andrew and Ashley played some games and rode the bumper cars. After that, we went to the Lexington Ice Center and played 18 holes of miniature golf. I think we?ve spent any extra money that we had for a while!
Tonight the couple from our church that we spent Memorial Day with came to our house for a cook out. We ate hamburgers and hotdogs and then we taught them how to play the card game Skip-Bo. I think we enjoyed talking just as much if not more than playing cards. After playing one hand, we let Ashley and their son ride their bikes out front. This gave us plenty of time for more talking. They said that they really liked strawberries, so Kevin made strawberry shortcakes.
This was the first time that we had another family over that wasn?t family or a neighbor. We?ve been married for a long, long time. I guess it?s about time we had some friends!
Posted by tami at 10:55 PM Comments (3)
June 4, 2004
Endless Night
Okay, I know how much I’ve talked about Agatha Christie books and how much I adore them. I’ve also talked about how much more I loved her writing as Mary Westmacott. As much as I’ve written about her books, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the one that I just finished. It was like no other Christie book that I have ever read. All the other books that I have read written under the Christie name have had a detective. This book had no detective and was much more of a psychological thriller. You, the reader, have no idea of what you have gone through until it is completed. In the end, you are dumbfounded, but at the same time saying to yourself, “Now THAT was an awesome book!” Get a copy and read it. It’s called Endless Night.
Posted by tami at 4:37 PM Comments (4)
Movies Two Days In A Row!
Surprise! Surprise! I woke up this morning at 8:30, got everyone else up and we went to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The first showing was at 10:00, but it was sold out. So, we bought tickets for the 10:30 showing and were one of the first ones in the theatre which meant choice seats ;) We also got two free miniature LEGO Knight Buses upon showing our tickets. That link shows the full sized version, but I think the miniature one is cute.
It was a very good movie and worth the $25 we paid to see it in the theatre. I couldn’t have waited to see this on video. The only thing is if you have read the books, you will realize everything that was left out. In the first two movies they left things out, but it wasn’t that much. I believe in this movie they left out quite a bit. Not to worry, it is still great and I enjoyed it immensely. Plus I am super shocked that we actually saw a movie on opening day. That doesn’t happen often!
Posted by tami at 3:10 PM Comments (3)
June 3, 2004
Ashley's Big Day
Today is Ashley’s 8th birthday. We got her a Disney Princess Beach Towel with Beach Ball, a Princess Jasmine t-shirt, this set of clothes, and two other sets of princess clothes, and an Operation: Shrek Game. This is the cake we ordered for her. We let her pick it out and it is very pretty.
We also took her to see Shrek 2 at the theatre this afternoon. We all loved it. The music, humor, and animation were all wonderful. If you haven’t seen it, make sure that you sit through the credits to see what happens. Everyone in the theatre had left except for us, so they all missed the big surprise.
Posted by tami at 3:59 PM Comments (5)