happy valentine's day...

random ramblings for the day....

No intention of writing anything about this particular holiday. It's not that I don't enjoy it (chocolate is my middle name), and it's not that I don't celebrate... I just had no plans to write anything about it. But if you enjoy the holiday, then I hope you had a special day!

When I told my pal Jason that I was returning to Wisconsin, and told him that we were seriously considering this area, he asked why... and added that it was so rednecky up this way. Well, kinda, sorta, I thought... but no more so than any other place. (definitely not as bad as where we were at in Florida!).

But I've been readin the email addresses in the "to" field when I get one of those mass-emailings from a Wisconsinite - and when they forget to use BCC. Names like "Bubba", "schlong", "grandpasmokey" - even "banjos_in_the_woods" (I kid you not) - show up on a semi-regular basis. Maybe Dorothy & Toto weren't in Kansas, but it was still a step up from this place!
Joking, of course. The senders of these emails are some of the most genuine people on the planet, and I'm sure their family & friends are, as well. And Wisconsin really is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Was going to blog a bit more about McDonald's - and their inability to do anything correctly, but if I shared all of my Mickey D experiences, it would quickly turn into a book.

This morning I went for my steak bagel meal, with a large Diet Coke - and an extra steak bagel. I ended up with one steak bagel, and one "what the heck is this?" I had never seen it before... a sausage patty between what looked like mini-smooshed blueberry pancakes? (at least I HOPE those were blueberries). It turns out that this was a McGriddle - not a McRiddle, as I had originally thought. It wouldn't have been half bad, had they provided some maple syrup 'dipping sauce'... but after two bites I had enough. At least I know what not to order next time. I can see where the confusion came from, however. I ordered a No. 13 meal... what they gave me was a No. 8 meal. 13 and 8 sound so similar, you know...

We have so many restaurant choices just a short drive from here, I'm not sure why I bother with McDonald's at all. When I figure that out, though - I'll let ya know.

The doorbell just rang. Our next-door neighbor has her little nieces visiting again. Don't they know my feelings about kids? Unless they do windows, they're likely to end up in the oven.

It seems these cute lil girls have recently discovered "Ding Dong Ditch" (or ring the doorbell and run)... but they're a little young, so they ring the doorbell - and they just stand there. haha That in itself is kinda cute. I asked what they wanted... they didn't know... but apparently they wanted me to see how cute they are when they giggle. I'm actually glad to see someone carrying on the tradition. I will have to give them some pointers... and teach them the many uses for a slightly-melted Baby Ruth bar. >;-)

The "change" we've been needing?

The site where our new president gave a speech that included a call for Personal Responsibility....

John Paul II...we still love you!

That's me in the corner.... that's me in the spot..light...losin my religion............
Those who know me know that I've been really confused lately, about religion... beliefs... spirituality. Born & raised Catholic... I'm not sure I want to be Catholic anymore...

Anyway, I am a big fan of John Paul II, and so is a friend of mine. I'm working on an "art project" for my pal, and I need to find as many interesting photos of JP II as I can. I've found a few, and of course the ability to do a Google photo search helps a lot, but thought I would ask around, just in case someone has - or knows of - an interesting photo of JPII that I may not have come across. So let me know!

Seasonal fruit?

I gotta laugh whenever I'm reading a restaurant menu during winter and there are menu items that list "seasonal fruit" as an accompaniment. The last time we went to Perkins for breakfast in the middle of a snowstorm, and our (now favorite) waitress showed up to take our order, I asked the obvious.

"The menu says 'seasonal fruit'". Then I pointed to the blizzard through the window and asked, "Exactly what fruit is in season at this time of year?"

Her mouth dropped open, and after a couple of minutes she laughed and said that she had no response whatsoever.

The only choice that came to mind was the winterberry, which isn't really a fruit, and apparently poisonous to humans. We decided however, that this might be a good choice for the manager of this particular Perkins, who - despite continual complaining about the 'long, hard hours' she works, only ever seems to have time to hang out at the front counter on personal calls, while playing with her hair.

(the photo? Probably some underpaid restaurant worker sent out to look for seasonal fruit).

Dips!

Tis that time of year again.... when the loonybirds gather together, take off most of their clothing, and then jump into ice-cold water - for no apparent reason. This action attracts large crowds of more crazies, who gather to watch the lunacy - also for no apparent reason.

Polar bear plunges, they call them. Many are done for charity, and I believe these 'plunges' raised over $2 million for charity last year? Okay... but aren't there more sane ways to raise money?

The Green Bay Press-Gazette recently did a story on area plunges, and had a nice little group of photos showing the whack jobs. I didn't plan to browse the gallery, but one photo did catch my eye.

A man in Idaho is arrested for second-degree murder when his daughter dies of hypothermia. Child protective services is called when a kid is found wandering around the neighborhood without a coat. But apparently it's perfectly acceptable to purposely undress your kids and drag them into freezing water?

I don't think so!

happy anniversary.....

"If I know what love is, it is because of you..." - herman hesse


happy anniversary......... to you.... to me.... to us!

Happy New Year!

Where do you pee?

I've never been to NYC, although if and when I go, I think it would be great to visit during Christmas/New Years.... but they would have to have a full moon, and just enough snow to make Central Park look like one of the beautiful photos you often see.

Up until just a few years ago, I thought it would be great to celebrate New Year's in Times Square. But I guess I'm getting old, because the idea is no longer appealing.



And now a new ball? I like most things the way they are, but I have to say, that even with the LED lights and the 'light show', the ball isn't a change that I necessarily object to.

No New Year's resolutions... at least none that I care to share... (or keep?). Losing weight, putting an end to procrastination, helping to make the world a better place... the usual. I'm not going to make any resolution to quit smoking. I actually enjoy smoking every once in awhile (yeah, I know)... but I've found that every time I make a resolution to quit, I don't - so why bother? Maybe one of these days...

I hope everyone reading has a healthy, happy & prosperous New Year... it definitely has to be better than this past year, hey?

(the rest of this post was deleted due to the fact that it was written before my first pot of coffee...and therefore, didn't make much sense at all!)