Turbo Hyundai?

See, this is why I shouldn't be allowed out of my house with a camera. I come across things like this and think "Oh no they didn't!"

But yes, sure enough (and sadly enough) they did.

This flashy Hyundai, the tiny one looking like an egg, has been equipped with Nitrous, complete with the button inside and everything.

Don't try it, we still tow....

So, remember on Friday when I blogged about how funny it was when the guy chained his truck to the fence so they wouldn't tow it?

Ummm, yeah, maybe a funny idea (they all seem that way at the time, don't they?), but in reality, sucks for him.

They towed the truck.

Which pulled down the fence.

Which he will also now have to pay to repair.



There is dirt everywhere and wood supports holding up this fence and I'm afraid to even walk near it.

Impulse buy!

At least they labeled it for what it really is:

Why yes, don't mind if I do!

More than one way to beat the system

There has been a multitude of cars being towed, myself included, here at the apartment complex recently.

When I came across this, I just had to laugh. I asked the owner of the truck if he minded if I took a picture and he immediately asked if I was going to report him to the office because he was parked in a space that didn't belong to him.

I assured him "No, I am not going to report you." and proceeded to share my story about the car towed for being parked at the curb cut for 10 minutes while I was helped upstairs after returning from the emergency room.

He just shook his head and spoke a few choice words about the manager's inability to differentiate when someone is illegally parked or using the curb cut for loading/unloading purposes.

As you can see, he has chained the tow hitch of his truck to the iron fence that surrounds the property.

Guess that's one way to get around the towing issue. (Unless the tow truck driver has bolt cutters.)

Recycling Computers

This should have been posted Earth Day ,but I'm a little late.

I've moved around. Often. I've also drug around FOUR non-working desktop computers with me because I was afraid of throwing them away which is super bad (technical terms) for the environment or the possibility of someone finding them and mining my old hard drives for personal information. Knowing that sophisticated data recovery services can find even "erased" information, you can see how I have been hesitant to let go of these machines.

This past week I finally decided to do something about that. If you are a little more tech-y, there is a program you can use called WIPE that wipes clean the hard drives. Another resource is Boot and Nuke. Standard recommendation is 4 wipes to clean the hard drive. Department of Defense recommends seven wipes to clean the hard drive, I believe.

For an Apple machine go to spotlight, choose "disk utility" then select your drive and choose erase. For more help, we all know Apple has the incredibly wonderful Genius Bar.

If I am incorrect on any of this information, please feel free to add/correct in the comment so we can all learn from this.
Then I went online to each manufacturer and found they would PAY for the shipping for ME to return the machine and they would properly dispose of it. All I had to do was print the air bill, package it up and drop it off at FedEx or UPS depending on the manufacturer.

The links I used to print the air bills are:

HP: http://hp.ecotakeback.com/

Dell (with separate links for toner, ink and printer recycling): Dell Recycling

Compaq: Compaq recycling linked with HP and also takes back cell phones of any manufacturer, rechargeable batteries and ink and toner cartridges.

Apple: Apple recycling From my understanding, Apple will take back any iPod or cell phone, regardless of manufacturer, but only takes back the computers if you buy another Apple computer and select "opt in" at the time of purchase. (Anyone care to speak to this?)

I feel better and lighter! Now if I can just keep some of these books moving along....

Sometimes we ALL have trouble smiling

But being wicked smaht like I am, I've figured out how.

This is a crafty project, however, not many supplies are needed.

Smile Craft List:

2 rubber bands
2 large size paper clips

Attach each rubber band to the paper clip. Next attach each paper clip to the corner of your mouth, then stretch the rubber band to fit up around your ear.

The finished product should look something like this:
Say CHEESE!

That Shit's Custom, Yo!

It's a "spoiler" disguised at a dresser and mirror.

Or perhaps we'll just call this "amateur hour"?

Thought everyone could use something lighthearted after my ranting yesterday. Thanks for all the supportive comments. I have decided to be the rock in the river. I will go, by myself, and when Mom wants to know why he's not there, I'll simply say "he couldn't make it" and leave it at that. I will stay grounded and let Mom carry on her drama around me and let it affect me as little as possible.

I wish there were a way to kidnap Grandma to have a few hours alone with her, unfortunately because of Mom's paranoia, she won't let Grandma out of her sight. I will go for dinner, order my meal, pay for it myself and enjoy the time with Grandma as much as I can.

Extra-Large Spatula Please! Times TWO!

AGAIN!

Do I sense a theme here?

This one happened a few days ago and was melted to the ground.

This time there were chunks of concrete that seemed to have been thrown at the windshield.


It's only been a few months since I slept through this disaster where the explosion seemed to happen in such a way that everything was blown outward:

Any ideas on what or who is causing these trucks to catch fire? Or what causes them to burn so incredibly hot they melt directly to the ground?

It's First Come, First Serve Around Here!

OK, more books to give away as promised. I also have a ridiculous story involving my Mother, but we'll save that for next week to give it the proper, errr, spiritedness it deserves.

Book, linked to Amazon for great detail:

This is Chick-Lit- Baratz-Logstead

Revenge of the Paste Eaters- Cheryl Peck

Goodbye Lemon- Adam Davies

Confessions of A Contractor- Richard Murphy

A Million Little Pieces- James Frey

Left over from last give away:

What Color is Your Parachute- Bolles

These last two books have a special requirement, they were given to me by my bloggie friend Noodle and my only request is that once finished reading, you write your name and name of your blog inside the front cover and pass it along to another blogger, whether by giveaway or just saying "here, have this."

Milkrun- Sarah Mlynowski

Bed Rest- Sarah Bilston

Ok, no fighting, just leave a comment if there is something you'd like to read. Also be sure I have a way to contact you. If you don't know how to find me on Twitter, Facebook, Blog, email or text, just ask. I'm really pretty accessible.

I'm Full of Questions!

Kinda funny to follow the word "questions" with an exclamation point, no?  

Just me?

Ok, moving on.

Where do all the hair pins, you know, bobby pins, go?  I've purchased roughly 3-4 packages in my life with each containing 150 or so pins.  

I have 2 total.  TWO!  Is it like the gnome in the dryer that eats socks?

This next one is a serious question.  What is the best top coat?  Top coat meaning clear coat that goes over the top of your nail polish to protect it from dogs, bleach, scrubbing, scratches and any other worldly event that makes your nails look crappy?  Normally I don't care so much, but this is for my toes which are constantly on display.

SO...best top coat?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Why do the dogs get so excited when I put on pants?   It's not like I run around the house naked.  But the minute I pull out pants......ohhhhhhhhhh eeeeeeeeeeeee, you'd have thought I was handing out gold bars to the masses.

Anyone care to entertain me with an answer on that one?

Any suggestions on the others?

Sidenote: I have seven books I'll be giving away later today, so if you like to read, keep your eyes open. 

Also, WTF is up with Firefox?  Just me?  Did I break mine? 

Heavy Hearts

I know everything happens for a reason. I know something good comes from every loss even if we can't see it at the time.

Knowing that two precious babies have lost their lives in the past week is senseless to me. Knowing that VeryBadCat lost her (practically) brother in law this weekend makes me so sad for the collective loss the world is experiencing.

Please read their stories, please donate if you are able. Most of all, just don't forget them.

The Spohrs' loss of precious Maddie

Gorillabuns loss of her precious baby boy Thalon

VeryBadCat's loss as told by her husband

Just go, just read, just be so very thankful for those in your life and make sure they know it.

Fun Mail Makes Everything Better!

Just when I needed the "pick me up" the most, I open my mail box and have the most hilarious card from Ashleigh. Thank you for that, you have no idea how you made me laugh. I even startled the dogs!

Looking further into my stack of mail, I had a package from Erica. Ever have a moment of ask and you shall receive? I had been wishing for a new bracelet, but have tiny wrists and most don't look right on me. She sent me the most beautiful bracelet, it fits perfectly and I love it!


She also sent me a card with Wonder Woman which is hilarious because I'm so tired of people asking me "What happened to your ankle?" I've started making things up. One of the stories I recently made up was "Oh, me? I'm Wonder Woman and it was that last building I jumped over to save the kitten in the tree that got me."


So, yeah, perfect card, but what she wrote inside:

"Wonder Woman knows a tiara makes everything better. Happy Graduation! Happy Healing! And happy "thank goodness I didn't inherit the crazy genes!"


Thank you to both of you for making my day with mail happiness!

I don't make the music, it makes me

Do you ever come across a song that so perfectly captures the essence of you? Of you as a person, a being, a spirit? A song that so perfectly articulates what you want to emulate as you move through life?

For me, right now that song is Rooftops by Lost Prophets.

When our time is up
When our lives are done
Will we say we’ve had our fun

Will we make our mark this time?
Will we always say we tried?

Standing on the rooftops everybody scream your heart out
Standing on the rooftops everybody scream your heart out
Standing on the rooftops everybody scream your heart out
This is all we’ve got now everybody scream your heart out

All the love I've met
I’ve had no regrets
If it all ends now

I'm sad

Will we make our mark this time?
Will we always say we tried?

(Chorus)

Standing on the rooftops, waiting till the bomb drops
This is all we got now, scream until your heart stops
Never gonna regret, watching every sunset
Listen to your heart beat, on another weekend

Scream your heart out
Scream your heart out
Scream your heart out
Scream your heart out

(Chorus)

Having just lost two friends in the same week as acting as birthing coach/Doula for a close friend, my emotions feel somewhat fragile and my life scattered. I want to be sure I live each moment to the fullest, when my life is done to be able to say without a doubt that I've had my fun.

To be able to say I always tried and left my mark everywhere I could in a positive way.

To know that with every love I've met, I have no regrets because I was able to learn or have something positive to take away from that experience.

Especially living on the West Coast, I never ever regretted watching every sunset. Or getting up early to watch the sun rise, freezing cold, clutching my mug of warm coffee.

So don't live just for the weekends. Live for now. We never know when our time is done. Don't find yourself with regrets. Do it, right now, today, make the most of what you have, tell someone you love them, smile at a stranger.

Live large, live out loud.

Ankle Cast Anyone?

I forgot to update you on my latest orthopedic appointment (because I know you were all sitting around wondering, right?)

I am the winner of another incredibly sexy, black cast for another three weeks. (/sarcasm)

That means there will be more of this:

Moments of desperation where I may or may not resort to this:

(Yes, I really was able to get the jeans on over the cast.)

And I'll promise try not to get all ranty and bitchy. Too much.

One last thing? I'm kinda sick of crutches!

So here's something you may not know about me....

So most noticed I disappeared from the radar yesterday and all contest progress updates suddenly stopped.

All my plans for the day stopped and it turned into a beautifully long day stretching into night. Here's something you may not know about me: sometimes I act as a birthing coach. Yes, you read that right, a BIRTHING COACH.

Me, who doesn't want kids, LOVES doing this for others. I love that amazing moment in the delivery room the baby is born and I can't help but shed a few tears of joy and immediately tell the new mother how amazing she is, how proud I am of her, how strong she is, and how she is going to make the best mother in the world.

It's a moment that seems to transcend the time and space continuum.

The nurses and doctor in the delivery room said I was an amazing birthing coach / Doula and how long had I been in practice. I hemmed and hawed for a minute and told them I wasn't actually fully certified, I only did this for close friends. They told me I had very clearly missed my calling.

My friend (having the baby) who I went to massage therapy school told them, "Oh no, she is an amazing massage therapist. You should have a massage from her!"

I chimed in that massage work really was my calling and almost in unison, the doctor and two nurses said "You've missed your calling! DOULA is your calling!"

So now that the baby has been born, all endorphins have settled, I am reconsidering this. Perhaps I should complete the training and become a member of the International Doula Association and add this to my list of talents. These messages from the Universe come to you in strange ways when you least expect them, but I firmly believe the universe nudges us in the direction we are meant to go so that we may do our best and highest good.

New Mamma, I want to wish you and the baby the very best and please know that it was absolutely my pleasure to be there with you for the birth of your beautiful baby boy. I wish you every blessing in the world my friend.
My own shirt in case anyone wondered who I was!

Winner Announced (finally)!

So remember the caption this photo contest?

The winner is Katelin from Gorgeous Footsteps in the Sand with her suggested caption of:

"Apparently that buy 1 get 10 free sale on yogurt went better than expected."

Another caption I liked was submitted by Fabulously Broke in the City:

"As the crisis worsened, women cut back in their budgets by creating their own yoghurt spa at home, mixing soothing flavours such as lemon, strawberry and peach to give their body a fruity glow."

Books Anyone?

I have a stack of books for which I've been trying to think of a clever contest so I could use them as prizes. Clearly this task is akin to trying to nail jello to the ceiling.

Instead lets do this, here's the list of books, linked to Amazon so you can see details, first person to claim each book, it's yours.

Ghost of a Chance by Kate Marsh claimed by Ren

Big Boned by Meg Cabot claimed by Allie

Not By Accident by Samantha Dunn claimed by Ashleigh

Heat by Bill Buford claimed by SmallTownMom

2001 Kanji by Joseph R De Roo

Sick Girl by Amy Silverstein

What Color is Your Parachute (2002 edition) by Richard N. Bolles

You know what to do, leave the book you'd like in the comments and if I don't have your email, leave that in the comments too. Enjoy!

Ear Staple Follow Up

Since there were so many questions regarding my ear staple, it seemed an opportune time for a follow up post.

So far I have been tremendously pleased with the results. I wish I had taken better notice when I started this process about 5 weeks ago, but to my best estimate, I have lost around 20-22 pounds. Since I have a broken ankle, it's pretty safe to say this is without working out, unless you count crutches which really do work your triceps.

Side View:


Front View:
These are size 3 jeans and S shirt. The most recent visit, Dr. Powell added acupressure ear beads which will help with the emotional stress I have been experiencing.

Again, if you are looking for someone in your area, check the online directory Acufinder.com.

I'm sure the people in California were laughing at you

Her bumper sticker says "Don't Mess With Texas Women"

For the love of FurKids

Everyone who knows me know my dogs are my kids. They are treated just like regular kids, go to day care, wear seatbelts in the car and get strict instructions about too many sweets when visiting Grandma.

Ben from No Ordinary Rollercoaster along with all the great bloggers at Who's Your Dachshund are taking on a serious challenge. They are raising money for 10 shelters in Canada through their Donate 4 Dachshunds Fundraiser.

For the love of animals, please help if you can. You can make a donation by visiting either website or clicking the widget below.

Quick Poll

If everyone could please click through from their respective readers and give a quick vote on my poll. It seems my page is loading more slowly than usual (as opposed to the lightening quick speed I demand). Click through, check a box and let me know your experience? If none of the boxes fit, leave a quick comment here telling me what you think? Thanks for the help!



Also, check out the update Erica provided on this post. The answer is: Yes, Photoshopped and the Police weren't happy about it!

Don't forget about the "Caption the Photo" contest that ends tomorrow.

My Oh MY! Look Who Turned NINE!

The before:



The upclose:

The after:

Happy Birthday Baby Boy! I can hardly believe it's been nine years, four cities, countless apartments, many trips to the dog parks and endless love from you. Thank you for all of it!

Caption This Photo

I just wanted to buy a little yogurt but as you can see I was out of luck. Best caption wins The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Winner announced Monday morning. Ready? Go!

The Village Idiot Has Returned

UPDATE: Erica left in the comments section this information: "OK, I couldn't believe this craziness either and like so many of you thought it had to be Photoshopped. So I Twittered my query and lo and behold got an answer that yes, it is Photoshopped. And the answer came from the executive editor of D! (Twitter's a crazy place.) @timmytyper said the body model is a Dallas cop, and that he was just as mortified about the get-up as we were."



In case you haven't seen the cover of D Magazine this month:


It is NOT my intent to offend or alienate anyone, but who dresses this man???

Chili's = Guiltless?

Something I don't think I've mentioned is I am part of BzzAgent. You can sign up for different promotions depending on how many points you have and they send you free things to review.

I don't participate very much because either I forget to look and see what products are currently being promoted or it's things I'm not interested in and if I'm not sincerely interested, I won't review it. Period.

So when I saw the promotion for Chili's Guiltless Grill, I thought, "Chili's is an ok restaurant," I'll participate seeing as how a girl's gotta eat and I'm trying to loose a little weight. A FREE meal that is "guaranteed" to be less than 750 calories seemed like it would be worth a try.

I was surprised when my promotions package was mailed to me and I received FIVE free meal coupons.

The first visit I was excited and ordered Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon. I requested the glaze on the side and while I used very little of it, LOVED the salmon.

The vegetables that came with it were steamed. I'm thinking, "Perfect!" except they were so heavily salted, I could barely eat them. In fact, I left most of them untouched. What's the point of a "healthy" meal if the vegetables are covered in salt?

I admit I am more sensitive to salt than most, read that, I detest salt and it's blowfish like effect on me, but it seems the salt should have been left off the vegetables especially considering it's common practice to have the salt shaker on the table.

The presentation:
On my next visit I tried the Black Bean Burger:

It was good, very good, but the bun was too fluffy resulting in mouthfuls of bread so I only ate the bean patty. The veggies fared better this time, but the service was so slow we actually had to stand up and go to the bartender, the only employee in sight, to request our check. I'd definitely order this again though.
I still have 3 meals left to try, anyone in the Dallas area want to come with me? Have you tried any of the Guiltless Grill items and what did you think?

For those that haven't heard the good news

I got a reasonably good report regarding the mammogram and ultrasound from yesterday. The doctor is comfortable (and so am I) taking a wait and see approach with a follow up mammogram in 6 months. We will do it sooner if any detectable changes are found during the monthly self exams.

This has been a wake up call for me and I want to thank each and every one of you for all the well wishes and good energy sent my way. I firmly believe it's what carried me through this. THANK YOU.

I also want to ask that this be a wake up call to anyone who has any health related thing they've been putting off. Please don't. Please go get whatever it is checked out. Better safe than sorry, yes?

There is a tiny bit of bad news, but I'm just looking at it as a re-direction of energies. Because the insurance company has decided not to cover some (should be) covered expenses, I am not going to be able to go to NYC this weekend. My radiology bill alone is equivalent to the cost of my hotel room for three nights. The money would be put to higher and better use if used to pay off medical bills. However, I am hoping with a good fight, the insurance company will cover this, reimburse me and I can go to NYC then. So who wants to go with me to NYC later in the year?

Also, if anyone is in the Manhattan area this Friday and wants my ticket to go to SM4SCNYC, please let me know and it's yours.