Archive for November, 2006
November 29th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
I sat down to do a T13 and honestly, I’m just not “in” to it tonight. The topic I started was about the first 13 people listed on my myspace. I got to number three and decided I really didn’t want to post a 13 this week. With exception to a few, those on my myspace actually know me…or at least did at one time. The whole myspace thing…I said yesterday that I think ninth graders are the creators of most myspace surveys. Myspace has been a nice way to reconnect with people I have lost touch with over the years. I don’t understand the whole “hook-up” factor that seems so prevalent. I guess anything is all in what you make it right?
Sooooo…instead of telling you about my top 13 myspace friends I think I’ll make it easy and a little less personal by telling you 13 favorite buttons at the top of my firefox window. If not my favorites, these are at least my most visited sites.
1. BBC news. I’m a news junkie. I actually enjoy scanning the headlines and reading briefs. When a story really strikes my interest I have to research for more.
2. Yahoo mail. I have several email accounts, but my yahoo acct is what I use for yahoo messenger and communication with family/friends. I have other accounts for my websites, formal communication, and junk mail registrations.
3. Mississippi Talks. I am a recovering forum junkie too. OK…I don’t post as much as I used to but I am still the top poster at MStalks. It goes back to that news thing. I like to talk about what is going on in the world. MStalks also has the BEST arcade on the net. There are several hundred games and being the competitive person I am it is great to work for the highest scores on my favorites. Currnetly I’m hooked on all the pool games.
4. Columbustalks. I rarely visit here anymore. The discussions are not familiar to me b/c it is mainly about an area of the state in which I do not spend any time. Too much aggression and pettiness there too.
5. The Daily Journal. OK, I have to be honest. The link is actually to another forum, but I do read the local newspaper from top links on this forum page. Decent discussion about local issues and news. It isn’t very consistent…wait…I take that back. It is consistently inconsistent when it comes to working. Slow server.
6. TupeloForums. OK. Yeah. I know. And to think…there’s one more…or two. I do not visit here much either. I check in to see what is being said about education but that is about it. I did win “The Princess Bride” DVD when I participated in a contest there.
7. TeacherFocus. A website designed with teachers in mind. Another forum, but there are valuable resources there too.
8. WeatherUnderground. One of my favorite sites. Up to date weather and radar. I love watching the radar during storms. You can pull up all kinds of neat data that tell you storm strength and tracking. There are lots of great nature pictures as well. You can just browse those that are posted, or share your own.
9. ThinkExist. My favorite quote site. I love quotes and this is one of the best sites on the web. You can store your favorites and easily search for something relevant to your interest.
10. Mr. Linky. Many of you know and love Mr. Linky. He is to be credited with the wonderful linking system for blog memes. I decided to stop T13 altogether b/c linking to everyone was so time consuming. Then I stumbled on Mr. Linky. It’s so easy!
11. AL.com. Alabama news site. It helps me keep track of everything going on in my home state. There’s also a forum but I haven’t been involved there in a while. In fact the last time was probably during the last hurricane. The forum was the best place for up to date news of the Gulf area.
12. PitPass. Djembe’s website that goes along with his radio show…PitPass. He does a wonderful job of keeping it up to date. He’s also a really good columnist. I enjoy his race write ups and NASCAR news briefs.
13. I link to several photo sites. Photobucket and Picturetrail being my favorites…but I also use Kodak Gallery and Flickr. Photobucket is the best for uploading photos to individually post on the web. PictureTrail has a low free upload number but it makes the collages. Kodak Gallery is best for album storage and I like flickr b/c it links well with wordpress.
Of course all of my websites are easy access. BTW…if you have no idea what I am talking about when I say Firefox buttons…you’re missing out! All your favorites on a button bar right above your net window. Easy access and you just gotta love tab browsing. Firefox is great and have you notice IE7 is nothing but a copy…minus the button bar?
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. Leave your info with Mr. Linky and have a great weekend. I’ll be around!
November 28th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
and trying to stay sane. Thanks for stopping by…
Hi lurkers 
November 27th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
What’s in a smile? If you look closely enough there is much to learn…or be amused by. I really enjoy people watching. It is highly amusing usually. Sometimes you noticed the “that was the funniest thing I’ve ever heard” smile, the “this is so much fun” smile, or the “you are so sweet” smile…I find the “omg is he going to shut up” smile highly amusing. Another is the “oops you caught me” smile. You have to be careful people watching…and smiling.
Net hopping I stumbled on a survey… Spot the fake smile
Out of twenty, I missed four. Just something I found interesting. If you take it, let me know how you did.
Last thing…
Smile. It makes people wonder what you’re thinking.
November 26th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
Look at what he did! Click the images to get the full effect…
He is so cool! Cuz came to visit for the weekend. I bribed him with foliage! I had so much fun hanging out with him. Seriously, he’s a blast. He got here Saturday morning and we spent the morning roaming the flea market. Nothing too exciting there, but it was interesting to look around. I was under strict instructions from Djembe…I was to bring home NOTHING that respirates. I didn’t see anything of particular interest anyway, so no problem. After roaming the town for the day I took cuz to a local place to experience our Thursday night enteretainment…only it was the special Saturday edition. Djembe and I spent Friday evening listening to them for Friday date night enteretainment so it was the Saturday night special, minus Jem. Cuz had a blast. As usual Terra Firma was top notch.
Sunday morning we chose to go to the early service so we could get home early and make a little progress with decoration. We hiked the woods around the house and neighbor’s. Cuz found lots of happy evergreen to create with. We collected pine cones and I attempted to dip them only to give up and just lightly spray. My cone dips ended up with goo slime. I couldn’t quite get the timing right. Either way, he was able to use it. I have to say, out of everything he did I am fascinated by the funky limbs we sprayed gold. I can’t wait to collect more and use them in the tree decorations.
While cuz worked the last hour the fam went to purchase a tree. It is in the stand, but I do not foresee decorations for at least a few days. I also plan to purchase a white tree for the girls’ to decorate with fun ornaments. Our house isn’t huge, but I thought they would enjoy having a fun tree just for them since I will be using ONLY music ornaments on the living room tree.
Looking around the kitchen as I type…WOW! He’s fabulous! I love the smell of greenery!
It wasn’t until today that I was even remotely in the mood for Christmas. I’m looking forward to shopping for the girls, Djembe, and putting together family packages for everyone!
Just three weeks of school then break again!
(Is it wrong to countdown to the next break before this one is even over?)
November 26th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
has a name!!!!!
Haken…His middle name is a family name. It fits with his last name and is somewhat appropriate since Haken is supposed to mean son of fire and his daddy is a glass blower. However, etymology searches bring up discrepency. The origins trace Hakan which is a Norse word meaning noble.
Either way, it is now his name. Well up until they pay the fee and apply for his SSN I guess they could change it.
November 24th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
I don’t understand this whole Black Friday deal. First, I’m not HUGE shopper. I enjoy buying for others, but I DO NOT enjoy the crowds. However, I DO like getting a good deal. After we returned home from the family Thanksgiving get-together I scanned the papers to see if there was anything exciting. There wasn’t. I decided to venture out this morning…just in case I missed something spectacular. I didn’t. Seriously people…if you are going to call it a Black Friday sale I want to see some major savings. I was less than impressed. If I’m not going to get serious savings then I will shop another, less crowded, time.
Update…
“Baby Boy No Name” is still nameless. WTH! Name the kid already! Unbelievable. He is a cutie though. OK fine…he looks like every one of the other ones, but they were all cute.
My cousin is coming tomorrow!!! I’m so excited! He is so much fun and I can’t wait to show him around some more.
Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!
Kontan Jou!!!!
November 22nd, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
For this very special Thursday I offer you thirteen things about our Thanksgiving celebration. Some will be memories and others will be insight into the quirkiness of my family. So, in no particular order…
Kontan’s Thanksgiving Thirteen
1.
Caramel cake. My absolute favorite. Now, it can’t be just ANY caramel or just ANY consistency. I require my caramel to be simply made and then poured over the top of each layer of the cake where it will harden into a solid shell. It is perfect with a side of vanilla ice cream. Every birthday and every holiday Gran made this for me. One of the things I truly miss b/c no one makes it like Gran.
2.
Pumpkin pie. Love it. Jem is currently making pies for tomorrow and upon special request he is making my pumpkin pie. The rest of the family doesn’t enjoy it like I do, but hey…I’m special so I get the special request.
3.
Backyard ball. Every Thanksgiving the cousins would go out back for a insanely competitive exciting game of football. I learned at a very early age to either run fast or enjoy the taste of dirt. Just because I am considerably smaller than them, my cousins had NO mercy. That’s a group of boys for you. There was one time my accident prone thrill seeking cousin decided to hand off. It was prefect…other than part of his front tooth was stuck in my head. Didn’t hurt until I saw the blood.
4
I’m thankful for the fact that Mr. Thrill seeker has managed the last several holiday’s without injury. As a child he spent most holiday’s in the emergency room. Happy Holidays. :-/
5.
The chaos. It is a love-hate relationship here. My family is a little on the large side.
6.
The first Thanksgiving with my husband. It was actually just after Thanksgiving. We were not married yet. (Totally crazy, but I had only known him a month.) I travelled with him out of state to visit his family for a birthday/Thanksgiving celebration. You really get to know someone during a 5 hour road trip.
7.
My family’s cooking. Everyone is used to what they are used to and they like what they like. I like my family’s cooking. I don’t want gourmet…I want Southern. If you haven’t had it then you just don’t know what I mean.
8.
On that note, I hate celery.
9.
I prefer Thanksgiving to be a cool sunny day. I do not enjoy wearing shorts or T-shirts on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Here in the South, that is a distinct possibility. Tomorrow- Sunny and 66.
10.
I like the music. Currently I am listening to Canadian Brass Christmas. (If you know me, you know I like to keep it instrumental.) Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season. Most of the time I really enjoy the atmosphere between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
11.
The Salvation Army bellringers have GOT to go. I don’t like that part. I don’t mind donating…just stop ringing the $%#& bell!
12.
Back to the family. I love the fact that we are completely open. You never know who is going to be there. If there are a few extras no one notices. It doesn’t matter what race, religion, or level of strangeness you are…welcome aboard. The last time all of the cousins were present it was a little eclectic. My oldest cousin and her Middle Eastern husband are B’hai. The next to oldest is a complete goofball and worse than all the kids combined. Just get them together. The next…well…let’s just call him confused. His friend was a psychology student. Oh did she have a lot to analyze. The youngest of that group was Vegan at the time. Now he’s just weird. Another friend of the family, who has since been sent home due to an expired visa, is from India. Being Muslim he lost out on the delicious ham. Then the kids…all except for the confused one has two or more kids. Let me not forget my Aunt and Uncle…the pleaser and the agnostic. At the dinner table we stay away from religion and politics. College football is off limits too… War Eagle!
13
As I mentioned Djembe has been making pies. Watching him work with the girls by his side…he is so good with them. I hope they will look back on our holidays together and fondly remember the craziness that is our family. They will not know their real grandparents like I wish they would…but I hope that we have done a good job of making holidays a time of joy for them.
To the Americans reading…Happy Thanksgiving…to everyone else I hope you are having a wonderful day and thank you for indulging me in my rambling. I would love to know if you stopped by so feel free to say hi even if you aren’t participating this week. If you are a Thirteener, leave your link.
November 21st, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
I have been participating in an obesity discussion on the local newspaper forum board. There are some strange strong personalities there. However it did spark thought. When my cousin visits from UAE she is appalled at the vegetable selection and cost here. Their vegetables are subsidized and apparently the selection is much better as well. Checking out after an excursion with her and I realized just how non-veggie our society is. The check out clerk had to check for a price on her veggie sheet and had a significant amount of trouble with the process. The reason? She had NO clue what half the vegetables were. Keep in mind we are in the South and if it isn’t collard greens then some are just confused. Moving on…the cost of buying fresh vegetables is unreal. Healthy choices are just more expensive. For instance, my weakness is chips. I LOVE salty snacks and HOT potato chips are my favorite. That with a Barqs or IBC and I am a happy camper. I’m also very fond of cheddar/sour cream flavor chips. Hot chips you can’t buy baked, but many other flavor/brands you can- Dorito’s, Lays, even Cheeto chips. The price is a dollar (or more) higher AND you get less. It’s the same with healthy cereal. So many choices that are significantly better for you cost a lot more.
Anyone else eat out a lot? We REALLY need to stop, but with both of us working full time it is just easier. Next time you go out to eat notice the portions. It is usually double the amount of a single serving, or more! Most places do not hhave a smaller portion menus and they will not allow an adult to order from the children’s menu. As I said on the forum, a person could exercise self control and just not eat all of the food. However, most of us have been taught to finish our plate and it is wasteful not to. Plus, it is easy to get caught up in the conversation and finish the meal. Why so much food?!?! I know it is so the customer is satisfied, but shoot!
What about fast-food? We have stayed away from fast food for a while. Lately, we’re drifitng. A Sonic recently opened and it is the ONLY eating place within five miles of us…and RIGHT on the way home. Tuesday’s are five for $5. SO easy just to drop by when we can’t come up with another alternative. BAd-bad-bad. Anyone see the documentary Super-size me? Morgan Spurlock ate at McDonald’s every meal for 30 days. He did signifcant damage to his system. If you haven’t seen it check out the site and try to find the opportunity to watch it. Very eye-opening and food for thought.
The only way to improve your life is to desire it and take the time/effort. It may be costly, but it can be done. Not doing so is even more costly, and not just to yourself.
How’s that for something to think about right before the biggest eating day of the year?
November 19th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
We have been cleaning like crazy this evening. Lots accomplished thanks to the help of Djembe. I’m feeling much better about the house.
Today was feed the hungry outreach at church. Many volunteers brought food, served trays, and delivered. In 30 minutes we served over 500 carryout trays. There was so much food leftover that we had to hunt for places that could use it. A really great problem to have! Several of us loaded the carryouts and took them to various apartment complexes in the area…those that we knew were lower income and would appreciate a hot meal. Many were sent to the retirement communities in the city as well. It was a really successful project and I enjoyed being a part of it.
Around the holidays we really start thinking about the less fortunate and reach out to help. The Salvation Army bell ringers (annoying as everything but a good cause) are out in force. Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, Feed the Hungry, and so many more programs are really great. I have to wonder about the rest of the year though. What about the non-holiday times? Why does it take a holiday to move us to help others in a big way?
November 18th, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings |
Auburn 22 - Alabama 15!!! War Eagle! Auburn comes out on top today during the biggest rivalry of the season. This is the fifth year in a row that Auburn beat Bama. The last time that happened was 1958. Exciting game to watch. Auburn made several turnovers that really saved the day for them. Alabama helped out by throwing interceptions and dropping the ball.
On another note…the rest of the day was pretty good too. I went for a haircut this morning. OMG…it’s short! I like short, but I have gotten so used to variations on the bob cut that I’m not sure how much I like the new style.
I also had my first taste of yoga today. Loved it! Very relaxing and I was surprised at how much you truly work out.
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