Home...

There's no place like home...

I'm glad to be home after my days away. It is fun to get away, because I don't do that very often, and I went with my good friend, S, who I hardly get time to chat with very often, so we really talked, laughed, and enjoyed the time. I also enjoyed all the learning and networking we did while were were at the conference.

But, it is true...There's No Place Like Home!

I'm Learning

So, this is where I am....Omaha, Nebraska. S and I arrived here last night and ate supper at a Mexican restaurant called Fernandos, and it was real yummy. Both S and I had a spinach and cream cheese enchilada...very different, but sure good. So, I did venture out of my box and try something new.

Today, (I am in a break right now), I am learning some tips and tricks with
There has actually been some good tips and ideas, and networking with people is always good. So, I am learning.

Then, tomorrow and the next day, I'll be attending NETA 2008, where there are lots of techy choices to attend and learn.

I'm sure, as my grandson says, I'll feel my brain growing.

I'm missing my family, of course, my friends at work, and these guys:


(but, I will learn, and also have a little fun, I hope!)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday this week to my baby sister, Jackie on the 19th, my li'l sister, Jill on the 21st and my sis-in-law, Pat, on the 23rd! Then, Happy Birthday to Adam on Friday!

Sammy Sighs

Well, Dad rocks.

Tonight Mom caught me to make me go on the walk with her and Sissy..I have hidden the last few times, but Mom thinks I should go. Anyway, Dad decided to go. Mom put us on the leash coupler, and I was very very very unhappy.

I tried to not move, and I stood sideways while Sissy just pulled on the leash and leaped around like a rabid rabbit.

Dad, being the brain that he is, said, go get the other leash. He walked me on my own leash, by myself and I did great. Silly Sissy still was acting all spastic, but I showed her what a good dog walks like.

Like I said, Dad rocks.

What I Learned This WEEKEND....

Being a HGTV addict, I had it going all day on Friday during my "spring break" in which I was spring cleaning, touching up paint, painting a door, putting together a cabinet, etc. One show that was on was "25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes". My 18 year old daughter decided I would never be helping her decorate as I seem to flunk decorating skills 101.

#25: Toilet Rugs
Ok...here they are talking about the contour rugs in front of the toilet...sorry, I do have one. I like it. I do wash it weekly, vacuum a couple times a week and replace as necessary. But, NOOO, this is a no-no. Especially to germ-a-phobes, of which I seem to be becoming, and now I am worrying about the rug?????

#24: Too Many Photos
Guilty, guilty guilty...I even go a step further by not taking down photos of ex-husbands and wives or ex-boyfriends, etc. I really need to do that...one of these days....yikes!

#23: Ignoring the Foyer

Luckily, we have no foyer. So I get a good mark on this one, right?

#22: Undressed Cables

I try to hide cables and wires. Don't you?

#21: Out-of-Place Themes
Not sure if I have a theme or not...but I didn't really have like a sponge bob theme or anything like that, so maybe I'm ok on this one?

#20: Outdated Accessories
Hmm....

#19: Lopsided Furniture Arrangements
Sometimes, you can only arrange things a certain way...am I right???

#18: Keeping Something You Hate
Oops...guilty, guilty.

#17: Too Formal
I'm ok here, no formality in my house.

#16: Uncomfortable Dining Chairs
Well, they are antique and wooden, maybe not too comfy...not sure...

#15: Lack of Traffic Pattern
I really don't have a choice of a traffic lane in my house.

#14: Everything Matches
Here they were talking about like buying those "bed in a bag" sets....oops, done that, at least twice. I thought it looked nice to have it all match. Guess I was wrong???

#13: Following Fads
I'm ok here, I think.

#12: Furniture That Doesn’t Fit
Hey, have to use what you have, don't you???

#11: Too Many Colors or Patterns
I kinda think I have muted colors that blend. Well, maybe...

#10: Floating Rugs

I dont' have many rugs. Except, of course, the germ filled toilet rug above....

#9: Improper Lighting

Are you talking about the lamp I have standing that doesn't even work?

#8: Frames Hung Too High

I do think I have my many many pictures at the right level. Apparently, I just have too many?

#7: Tacky Couch Covers
Safe here, no plastic covers or anything else. You know, the kind Marie had on "Everybody loves Raymond"?

#6: Pushed–Back Furniture
Well, I don't have room to put mine out in the middle...DO YOU???

#5: Ignoring Windows
I want new window coverings...I do...

#4: Fear of Color

I have no fear, I just don't want to go real crazy. I use colors, and a variety, but muted and blended. OK, that is not really out there, but not really a total failure..right?

#3: Knickknack Overload

UH OH

#2: Too Many Pillows
You mean like the six on the guest bed?

#1: Fake Flowers

Ok, now I really protest. They don't like even fake plants. I am really thinking that my silk plants look nice. I just washed them all even. And, they really look a lot better than all the dead ones I used to have when I tried to own and grow real ones.

And, while we're on the subject, this is my favorite HGTV star...isn't he too cute?
Here's his bio:

David Bromstad, host of Color Splash.

David Bromstad, the season one winner of HGTV Design Star, is known for his endless energy and out-of-the-box thinking. Bromstad began his career as a design student at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla. Earnest, passionate, talented and innovative, Bromstad creates awe-inspiring works on many platforms, including custom art, furniture building and interior design.

Bromstad says he "blends styles that incorporate realism and fantasy." He combines this approach with a love of color and practical advice that shows how to transform tired rooms into unique, vibrant spaces.

He currently resides in Miami, Fla.

What I Learned this Week

If you work in a school and the science classes are dissecting shark, the school smells bad.


Believe me.

All New

Well, I don't think I kept you up on the Dentist shenanigans. After I got to the dentist last month, I ended up having to get a crown. Let me tell you, it really wasn't all that pleasant. And, pricey..wow. The insurance barely covers 1/2 the cost of the gold (and expensive) crown. They said, that may be tender. I have a very LOW tolerance for pain. Well, yea, I'm a big baby.

Enough said.

Anyway, after I got the temporary crown, it hurt and bothered and hurt and bothered. I told them when I went in and they said the bite had been off, and should be better with my new, glorious gold crown. However, after getting that, it just still hurt and hurt. I lived on 800 mg Ibuprofen and some leftover (yikes!!) pain pills in the cupboard.

Finally, I called them. Ended up my tooth was then dying. I said, well, let it die! Good grief. Anyway, to make a long story short, I had to get my root canal. After the crown. It seemed a bit backwards to me. But, regardless, already the next day, I felt like (and acted like) a new person...no pain. In other words, I became a lot less bitchy without that pain.

So, today went back in and did the check up and cleaning. It had been way too long since I've been there...at least a decade...Yea, I know, I know... anyway, the cleaning, although it took too long, went well and wow, I felt like a new person with great shiny teeth. Ha. She set me up for a six month cleaning.

The dentist, though, mean as he is, came in and said I need another crown on top. However, if I get the two little fillings done, my insurance, according to the clerk at the desk, will be capped out. So, I may have to wait until next year for the crown, if I can. Those things are SOOOO expensive. Well, we'll see what happens after the insurance and bills are settled. Yikes.

So, if it doesn't hurt your mouth, it'll sure hurt your wallet?

Last night, I also got my hair re-highlighted and cut. I love my new hairdresser!

Now, if I could only get a face/body/clothing makeover, I'd for sure be ALL new....!???

Have a Great Week!

My New Favorite

My friend, J, had me try this wine.



Love it!

New Addition

This is the photo I received on my cell phone last night. Meet Howie. This is our granddaughter's new dog. Little Miss Chloe Bean said "Grandma, do you want to come meet him?" Boy, I said more than ever. It's fun to talk to my grandkids on the phone. I miss them so much! And, oh, the love....

Picnic Anyone?

A couple weeks ago it had been so nice, I dragged the patio furniture back out. Since then, I've only been able to sit out and enjoy the weather twice.

Picnic anyone?


I'm just glad I didn't get more energetic and put up the canopy...the weight of this snow would have done it in! And, my husband, who thinks I should wait until later to put out the furniture would have been none too happy about that.

My New Body Lotion

This is what I seem to be using for all over body lotion:

Sammy Sighs

Well, we've been walking almost every night. Mom gets home, and Silly Sissy is raring to go...she drags out harnesses and leashes and just begs to go. I still cower or hide, but end up going.

But, today was different. Mom sat down after doing some things, and thought she might relax and read a book (maybe even sneak in a nap). I'm all for the relaxing thing, so I laid down right beside her. Soon as Sissy realized that Mom was not busy, she started dragging out harnesses. Mom hid the first one in the drawer of the coffee table and tried to ignore Silly Sissy. Sissy was not detoured. She dragged another harness out. Mom told her..."Sissy, I'm tired. My feet hurt, my knees hurt, my back hurts..."(yea, Mom was being rather whiny if you ask me.) But, whining didn't stop Sissy. She finally guilted Mom into walking her. And off they went. Mom didn't even make me go. Man, I fooled her. Or, did they fool me???? Hey...wait a minute....

HOT FLASHES?

OMG! Do any of you watch "The New Adventures of Old Christine:"? Last night, she was diagnosed as perimenopausal. It was such a hoot (Yep, I still like that word..hoot, hoot, hoot)....well anyway, if you didn't catch it, you maybe can go to the website and catch a video. Or catch it on reruns. I sure was hoping that Mental Pause Mama was watching it. Both my husband and I were laughing.

At one point, she was cleaning in her bra because she was so hot...and her poor brother had to deal with loads of menopausal symptoms. Here is a synopsis of the episode:

Season 3: Episode 10: One and a Half Men
Original airdate: 03/31/08Christine panics when her doctor tells her that she may be perimenopausal. She starts to use Barb's prescription cream which leaves her feeling a lot better...and a lot ballsier since it's a testosterone cream. When Lindsay and Marly give Ritchie a hard time at his first cotillion, Christine refuses to take this one lying down. Jason Alexander guest stars.