There is a part of me that's expecting Ashton Kutcher to call and say I was punk'd.

:D

Congrats

Dad just called me about his PET scan results... cancer free!

Goonie, that is FABULOUS news!

Awesome!
Good news.
:)

Great news Goonie!

And way to go Brad!

I just got VIP Circleside Package ticket for Anaheim for Bon Jovi at the Honda Center yay :) 1 show down 1 more to go maybe 2 (if i go for Vegas thru the fan club) now to get my friend hers since she couldn't get one and everyone else of us did.

YES!!!! :D

Yay! No Cancer!

Yay! Bon Jovi #8,612!

Yay! Crickets can be as twitterpated as rabbits!

Congratulations!

:snap: :)

You naughty! :D

Abundant happy stuff!! I'm so glad for you and your dad. (And your fabulous shiny and secret dress)!

Score!

I didn't get my rings until ... 2 months or so before we got married. We were engaged for over a year with no ring.

Congrats!!!

Conga-rats to you, too!

I scored this morning for Bon Jovi at Staples Center. I managed to pull up VIP Circleside package thru the fan club. How i love the fan club. SO i'm in the same spot as Anaheim right in front of the outer circle catwalk. :) I am so excited. I was able to get my friend a ticket 8 rows from the outer circle catwalk so she is 7 rows behind me not bad considering they removed half of our seats for this outer circle ramp thingy this tour. Is it Feb and March yet? Ticket stress is over with. Vegas i'm not caring where i sit so no more checking the fan club sitting in front of the laptop.

Woohoo!!! Oh I am so happy for you and your dad! See, it's been a good month so far :) :)

I.


AM ON.


VACATION!!!!!

Just found an old friend of Cherny and I on FB :)

My mom just called to say that she and my sister-in-law (ex-sister-in-law but we still consider her family) are going to come out in a couple weeks to shop with me for wedding stuff and help with planning!

I should read this thread more often. Congratulations on the good news!

Just for today, I shall not hate. Jealous as all hell? Definitely.


Have a Fantabuwonerous time doing whatever you are doing wherever you are doing it for as many times as your are doing it!

Oh and photos. Photos will be required at some point...

Like getting registered someplace online perhaps?

So today I found out that they removed all the bad tissue, the edges are clean, and I can hope for the best! Of course in four months you go back again but for now no C. That takes a huge load off of my mind.

To top that off, after Elton John was canceled for tonight I get to go se BB King! I have 1 reserved balcony seat, front corner and front row, plus it's in a small intimate 21+ club. I can even have a drink if I want since the boys are dropping me off and hopefully picking me up!
The boys are going to hit Ptown by themselves. The giggling one says Dad is taking him to Hooters. Of course Dad told me they were going to the arcade that has Guitar Hero night tonight. I'm sure they'll have better stories than me:eek:

Well, we pretty much have all the household goods we need, so we're going to do the Disney Honeymoon registry. Problem is, you can't set up the registry till you have hotel reservations, and we can't make our hotel reservations until he secures our flights. So yeah, registry will be set up once I'm able. Hopefully soon, since invites are going to have to go out like next month.

I'm planning a regular wedding on a mini wedding budget... eep!

Mufasa is adapting to his new home really well! Emmy is the only one left who's still hissing at him, but he's quite happy and Alex was right - he's clingy. I should have named him Static. But, I love it. He follows me around, sleeps against me, sits in my lap, and loves to be held. And, he purrs almost constantly. It's loooooove! :)

Awwwwwww.... kitty!

I hope Ken still gets some time with you ;)

After several false starts, I finally made progress on constructing the closet storage system yesterday. It was fist delayed when I realized I would have to start by constructing some templates and jigs. Further delayed by the sudden increased time commitment at work. And finally nearly scrapped as I discovered that I simply do not possess the equipment or expertise to build with the precision necessary for my original design.

However, I went back to the drawing board, simplified the design and finally got a procedure down to ensure precise enough cuts for the new design, and in a few short hours yesterday turned out a couple satisfactorily completed components. From here on out, it should be a lot of lather-rinse-repeat and I once again have confidence in my odds of completion (though I think I'm going to scale back slightly - drawers are feeling like a daunting task).

GD, why not collect a set of wicker baskets and make the unit design to hold them and skip the drawers?

Because A) I hate wicker and B) if a rabbit got into the room, it would not last very long.

Yeah, our dislike of wicker tends to hamper (get it?) our storage options.

Ow.

Have you checked the unfinished wood aisle at Michael's? That might be a solution as well (and you could paint it whatever swanky colors you like!)

I'm just happy I'm not dead.

Is there a story behind that statement, or is it just a general feeling?

Either way, we're happy you're not dead, too.

There are places to by pre-made drawers such as this.

Also, I might be able to make them for you: I actually like making dove-tail boxes.

1001 Rabbit Tales is one big clip show in the form of a movie. The animation that was drawn for the movie itself (to link all the clips) is kinda crappy. But I gotta say, it highlights some of the best Looney Tunes cartoons ever. LT makes me laugh really hard sometimes. Not many cartoons do that to me nowdays. Maybe 'South Park'.

I'm still trying to get a copy of "Wild Wife" - the one wherre she ends up whopping him with a rolling-pin marked "His" and saying "Little man, I've had a busy day".

It's on The Golden Collection Vol 6, LB

http://www.amazon.com/Looney-Tunes-G.../dp/B001CO42CA

It has been a glorious post-travel day of relaxation. Sleeping in, watching teevee, curling up with kitties, and after-glow of an enjoyable vacation.

There's a Vol. 6? Well bust my buttons. I had no idea. Thanks, Snowflake!
:)

Listening to the new Animal Collective EP. 2nd time through today. Love.

Some ideas are brewing
The radio abides
With flying string
Old ideas worth doing
Are taking their time

I got my coworkers to donate enough food and money for 4 fully loaded Thanksgiving baskets for hungry families. :)

I'm about 80% done with the closet storage project. Very little construction left, mostly sanding, painting, and installation remains. I stand a good chance of completing this in time!

I got a free h1n1 flu shot at work tonight. And it hurt the least of any shot I can remember. Those Disney nurses are good!

In other news, I think our registry is finally active :) And they no longer think we live in Afghanistan ;)

Oh. My. God.

I got a UPS package today from Kiyonna Clothing (a plus size designer). Now, mind you, I didn't order anything from them, and whenever I've bought stuff from them, it's been in their actual physical location, and I took my purchases home that day, so it's not like I regularly get packages from them or anything.

Inside, a simple printed note saying "congratulations" and a brown lace dress that disneyphile and the girl that worked there both told me I should buy, but I didn't because I was being good. (My "purchases" that day were limited to the dollar value of the gift card they'd given me for winning their facebook Halloween costume contest). And if that didn't already blow me away, underneath it, under more tissue paper (oh yeah, packaged beautifully, of course), were two rhinestone "bride" tank tops and two very hot lacy pairs of underwear!

Holy cow.

Needless to say, I'll be running over to their store tomorrow with a bucket of peppermint breakup as a thank you gift.

Never heard of them before, but after a little googling, wow... they've got some cute clothes!!

Goonie, that's awesome!

Also, thanks for the tipoff, I also have never heard of Kiyonna, seriously cute clothes! Maybe with Xmas bonus, if I get one!

WOW! Now THAT is customer service. I'll be sure to shop there a bit more often when I can. :)

My new computer arrived today! Over a week early! :happydance:

Ooh, I just bought a new poster! No, it's not Valentino, alas. It's graphically pleasing to me and satifies a desire of some years. It will need to go to the restorer to fix some previous poor restoration, but it's okay. Squee, I got it cheap, too! Circa 1920-1925. I've always loved the Paramount logo.

:D Merry Xmas to me!

Attachment 1300

That's beautiful!

Gad, I love that poster! Great purchase, Snowflake.

Wow, I didn't realize that eMoviePoster.com existed way back then!

VAM
If you've seen Hershenson's picture popping up (as it used to do on his weekley verbose emails) it was pretty scary. Kinda creepy/geeky. That said, he's made quite a success of selling posters.

Catching up-
SQUEEE Goonie! I need to find that pic from DP's wedding....hmmm

DP- that's so exciting-sounds fun!

GC- woot!

and my own Squee!!! Ria got a job- a good job-today! No more unemployment stress!!!!

Yay!

Nice find SF!

Well, It looks like I'm not going to find a job before Christmas - but the happy part is we're now getting ready for our Christmas with the family in Forster.

We leave the day after my Birthday (21st) - I can't wait !!

Your 21st birthday?

I wish ! 21st is the date we're leaving for Forster.. :D

Things are just...going very, very well. :) I can't stop babbling about how lucky I am in everything...perhaps if the 3rd trimester hormones really start kicking in I could end up in a big pile of happy tears.

I'm still glowing from the party last weekend. :D

I just won a Facebook contest for Kiyonna Clothing. I get to pick a dress of my choice. I'm having trouble deciding. Any suggestions?

I like this one (in black), this one (in black), and this one. The first and last ones are really awesome, and the second one is more "red carpet" - a little more formal, so wouldn't get as much use.

I hope to wear it at least a couple times before shrinking out of it. I'll be ordering their size 1, since it's a tad snug on me for now, so I'll get at least a few months from it. So, that might factor into not getting dress 2 as well - not sure when I'd wear a floor-length formal again in the near future.

Any thoughts? :)

Did you win it for the regifting story? That was pretty funny.

They're all great choices. I nearly bought the retro glam lace dress myself, so I'll put in a vote for that, but I also like your other two choices.

Yes.

Yay You! :snap:

Congratulations and continued good luck.

I read your breastfeeding post. Maybe it's living in the Bay Area, but I can't believe there's still a decision tree there with two theoretically equally strong branches.

I'll also pass on the one bit of breastfeeding advice that somehow slipped through the cracks with us: don't eat chocolate or onions unless you want to listen to the protracted yowls of a gassed up baby.

I vote for #1. What story won this? Did I miss this? I wanna read it if you don't mind posting where it's at.

I vote for #3.

I think you should chose this one or this one, however this one's not your type.

#1 You'll get more use out of it
#2 No
#3 I love this one, it just looks like you

Kiyonna has a "12 Dresses for Christmas" contest on Facebook, where they post a new question each day, and select one reply as the winner.

Yesterday's question was:

What is the best gift you've ever re-gifted?

My reply:

I received a sculptured collectible plaque that depicted the birth of an orc from "Lord of the Rings". It was truly hideous and frightening. I re-gifted it to my new boyfriend for his birthday. He absolutely loved it, and I was happy to see it leave my home. Well, it ended back up in my home, since I ended up marrying him. It's now on our wall.

True story. :D

And, I'm also now thinking of this one in purple, since I've got the "assets" for it. ;) Cinch dress.

I love gag gifts. Especially when you can give them anonymously.

Yeah, but I was honest about this one. Although, anonymous is a lot more evil and fun. It's how I roll. :evil:

I think #3 says vavavoom and is very pretty but I also like the new choice too. I like the way the skirt part is cut, if that makes any sense.

1. That is the cutest story ever. Orcs are highly reprehensible and so hideous to behold; orc birthing sounds even more repulsive. But I don't remember ever seeing any female orcs, so maybe the depiction is more of a metamorphosis? Either way, no matter what this plaque looks like, it clearly deserves a place of honor on a wall of prominence in your home. I'd keep it over the bed if I were you. Best story I've heard in a long time.

2. Am I the only one who likes dress #2?

Hmmm...

Ya know, it's almost like Kevy has something to confess maybe?

Oh, I have given anonymous gag gifts. For example, the hideous large (1' + tall) ceramic monkey with a mortar-board that I was given by my father-in-law when I graduated college. But nothing recent.

Does this mean it wasn't you...but you know who it was? Combined with this post...
...it looks like I was pointing a finger the wrong way.

*shines maglite in DP's face* 'Fess up! :p

It honestly isn't mine, but I know whose it is. However, I was one of the accessories in transporting said gift. :p

McRibs are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Oooooh yum! I love McRibs. They are one of the most disgusting, yet tasty junk food items around. I'll have to partake in one or two while they're around again. :)

McD's at Garden Grove and Euclid. Just sayin'.

I had my yearly McRib last week. I can really only have one about one a year.

McRib love (I'd tried them once before giving up pork, beef, and mystery meat) is almost as perplexing to me as religion. And the rapture it induces in people is also similar.

The McRib would be on my "Once in a lifetime" list. And I've already had the once.

Like the Cadbury Creme Egg, the McRib is a "food" item that has the ability to create some kind of amnesia in me. Every year, I get excited that "they're back", and after my first bite, I realize I never need to eat one again.

I fell for the McRib again last week.

My Cadbury amnesia cycle is fortunately about 5 years long so I'm not reminded of their grossness more often than that.

If I still ate the relevant meats I wonder if I'd have a McRib amnesia period too.

I am proud to say I have never consumed a McRib. Ever.

As for Cadbury, I eat about 2 per year. And I adore both of them. I just don't need any more than that.

Well, I love me some McRib. I had just the opposite reaction. I had almost forgot how yummy they are!

I've never had a McRib - perhaps next time I drive through the drive thru

I had a McRib, but it seemed to be missing it's yum - guess I prefer my ribs with, uh ribs...

Don't worry, apparently there's a fair chance you'll forget and want to try it again next time. That's what the sauce is, memory suppressant.

I GET CHRISTMAS DAY OFF
I GET CHRISTMAS DAY OFF
I GET CHRISTMAS DAY OFF



The Wolfette had asked me to try, so I mentioned her request to scheduling, but included that it wasn't a necessity......and I



GET CHRISTMAS DAY OFF!

Yip! You get to get up insanely early on your day off! (At least if Wolfette is anything like Headliner.)

I'm usually the one up early in our house.

Congrats Wolfy!

Wolfette said I could sleep till 7AM...I'm usually up before that though.
We usually lay in bed and drive her nuts till we give in and get up.

The scheduling gods are smiling on the LoT this day.

DITTO!!!!

We do the same thing. I think that it is our parental perogative and one of the few ways to get back at our children for all the "fun" they've put us through all year :evil:

I had a McRib again today! :)

I woke up this morning, threw open the windows and pot-smoking hippie birds landed on my finger and sang "Good Morning Starshine" to me.

I was so totally not expecting this, but I just got handed an end of the year bonus check. :D

I just found out we're getting ours today (and I AM expecting it damnit!)

And then he asked you to run down to the bank and deposit it for him...

Bwahahaha, no, it's for me and does not include a pink slip.

And I just found out how much (pre-tax). I am VERY happy.

YAY !!! Come visit us !

And today, I get to go to the HUGE Casino in the city and experience their all-you-can-cram-into-yer-bell-air!! Buffet.

Seems it's some sort of special occasion today, but I can't think what... ;)

I am having a happy, relaxing day at my folks' with the Rat. So nice to not have to run interference. I can just chill.

So, did we have a good Christmas? What did I get?:D

I JUST GOT SCUBA DIVING LESSONS FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!

(Thank you J!)

STEAK! I GOT STEAK!!!

My roomates, who apparently do know me, and the smoke I occasionally fill the apartment with, gave me a gift certificate for Spark Restaurant. STEEEAAAKKK!!!

You're really banking on that global warming thing bringing back that primordial sea aren't you?

Major construction work is done in the nursery! Walls are painted; closet storage cabinet is built, painted, and installed; Ikea closet cabinet built and installed; other closet shelving/bars installed; window shade installed; valence curtain rod installed; rocking chair purchased and shlepped upstairs; hanging wire for wall decor installed.

I've been going nearly non-stop since Wednesday. I'm exhausted but feeling awesome. All that's left is installing a ceiling light, small decor items, and organizing the wonderful piles of stuff we've received. I'm shocked I made it to this point before New Years.

I'm totally seriously happy to have GD as my awesome husband.

Photos?

still gotta tidy up and get the cosmetic stuff up before pics.

It sounds like you worked hard and accomplished a lot, good work! Plus it sounds like you have a very happy wife, extra special good job!

So, I ordered the "retro glam" lace dress from the Kiyonna contest, in their 14/16 size equivalent. It arrived today. So, I figured I'd give it a try, and much to my surprise... it fits! It fits! It fits! 'Tis a tad snug in the boobs, but it still drapes in the tummy and hips. I'm probably approaching 16 sooner than I thought! :)

Talk about more incentive amd motivation to stay on track! :)

As far as I am concerned, that is a good thing!

Snug in those boobs, mister!

It's the last day of Grinchmas!

Also down another 2 pounds. Broke through another second digit on the scale for a total of 18 pounds now! :)

OMG! I just got that too! (Mine doesn't have the sparkly pin though, b/c it was one of the production samples, but essentially the same). Funny thing is, Kali and Gretz both also have that dress. It's faboo!

(Of course, mine's not as small as yours ;))

Wow! Popular!

Um, let's just promise to warn each other if wearing it to the same place. ;)

I have a belly full of Indian food.

NOM NOM SAAG PANEER NOM...

Quite literally, while waiting for this page to load (it's been a slow site for me today, don't know if it's just me) I decided that when I go get lunch in about 10 minutes I'd get saag paneer at the corner place.

It's a saag paneer kind of day I guess (no, I did not have saag paneer for lunch).

I love saag paneer. Lucky you, Erica!

nom nom nom with naan naan naan

Sadly, the naan at the saag paneer place I went to is not very good. But I'll ignore that since the saag paneer and chicken tikka are both very nice takeout for lunch.

OK... I need to "reboot" my year, and I've got to see things in a different light- I'm totally seriously happy I didn't die this weekend, and I'm gonna do everything to make sure that I get out of this terrible funk I've been in.

I have tablecloths for my wedding! And a tiara! And a basket for my flower girl! And cake cutters! And an empty bank account!

Excellent choice.

It was - and helped make my day a bit better.

I'm just happy that I was turned on to this place. Not much for great Indian food from what I've found. There's a place near where I live, but it's not super convenient to get to, and J doesn't seem to like Indian food much.

The naan wasn't all that great at this place, either. But as a first-impression, the food was excellent. I was particularly impressed with the saag paneer.

I have regained use of our garage as a place to park! Hooray, no more morning strolls to the car. :snap:

Did you ever verify whether the lion was painted on the blinds or not?

Heh, no, I never noticed it again. Damn.

All this talk of Indian food is irrelevant to me. It's just naan of my business.

<groan>

You have no right, sir.

When has that ever stopped Kevy?

He's just jealous that GC beat him to it.

Wow! I made Kevy groan! That's some sort of accomplishment.
:D

On this subject, I owe GC an apology. During the period when he lodged with us, on Tuesdays he was forced to crawl out of bed early to rescue his car from street sweeping because our two spots inside the complex were occupied by our cars, and the 6 guest spots in the complex were always taken. They do the entire neighborhood, both sides of the street, on the same day, so the only place he could find to park was in the nearby hospital parking lot which was not only 1/2 mile away, but cost $1.

Having forced myself out of our garage for a few months, I discovered....there are actually 18 other guest spots inside the complex that I was completely unaware of. And in those few months, not once did I have to park on the street as there was always at least one open spot. Even the night before street sweeping (although that was likely aided by the fact that the association recently amended the rules to allow us to park a car in front of our garages/car ports on street sweeping day...which also would have been nice were it in place while GC was here).

So GC, I apologize for my ignorance, and for my anti-social streak that keeps me from wanting anything to do with the people in our complex thus ensuring that I'd never have any reason to see anything that wasn't on the direct path from our back door, to the garage, and out the gate. And we owe you a few $. :gnome:

Oh nonononono. No apology needed. You and CP helped me out in such a big way when I was in such a bad way. I appreciate what you guys did and could never remotely be upset at y'all for anything.
:)


***This is, of course, unless you meant to type "GD" and typed "GC" by accident which happens from time to time around these parts. Which means you were talking to yourself which would further confirm the anti-social thing...
:D


No, in all honesty, I wish there was more I could do to repay your kindness.

On the record, I'm pretty happy these days. Happy is the new status quo.

I think I posted this on Facebook somewhere but I think I'm pretty happy, too.
Ain't got no full-time job, ain't got no man, ain't got a lot of money but I'm okay.
;) :)

Headed out to see "Jim Henson's Fantastic World" at the MS Museum of Art this weekend

Life is good

Have you considered a career in country music?

I've restored the Nuclear Muffin Test Kitchen's Auditorium of Annihilation to it's full HK powered, Klipsch voiced glory.

I am very proud of the work I've done so far on the nursery. And I derived a great deal of fun from the process, and satisfaction from the result And I was kinda looking forward to wiring up the ceiling light.

But in the end, I'm totally seriously happy that I'm going to come home tomorrow to find a ceiling light installed, and I won't have had to do squat. Yay for hired help!

I finally got up into the attic to see just how little space the sloped roof leaves over that bedroom. If I knew what I was doing and weren't going to have to figure things out as I go, it would have been doable. But the prospect of being crammed up there with the layers of filth and roofing nails inches from my head AND trying learn on-the-fly was utterly unappealing.

So bring in the professionals!

"My life is one big country song and the hits keep on comin'."

:D

Is that tonight (the BCS Championship game)? What's the point of dragging the bowl system out to mid-January and not waiting for Saturday to play the big game?

How did they turn college football into hockey with a post season that never ends and 90% of the people don't care about?

My sister's biopsy came back negative.

I haven't posted this here, or talked about it with more than a couple people, but late last year my sister was diagnosed with cancer. A melanoma on her back that had made it into her lymph system. It had spread from a node on her back down to an adjoining node. The dr. who gave her the initial diagnosis gave her low odds of surviving even 10 years.

The oncologist she was referred to had a far less doom-and-gloom story for her and went straight to work on treatment.

She's been through a total of 3 surgeries where they removed the melanoma, the first node it had spread to, the two nodes "up and downstream" from that one (biopsy showing that the cancer had spread to the "downstream" one), and then the two nodes connected to that one. Tonight she got the biopsy results on the last node removed, and she's cancer free.

She's got quite a bit of recovery from some extensive surgery, and there remains risk of recurrence, but she's being treated by the guy who literally invented the methods for diagnosing and treating this form of cancer, so she's in good hands.

May 2010 (and beyond) continue to get better from here.

Cancer free. It's awesome when you hear those two words together.
:)

Well, and in that order.

Free cancer wouldn't be so nice either.

Well, I bet a check for $10,000 arriving in their mailbox would go a long way in that direction :D

Hmm, my lemonade tastes like piss.



:D

Good thing I know how to forge your signature.




:D

Fantastic news for your Sis! I'm very relieved.

:) I just got home from the baby shower for my son and his wife. Mom-to-be was at 4 cm when she saw the doctor on Thursday and he said the baby could come at any time. A lot of the family is hoping for tomorrow because it's also a great-great-grandmother's birthday. I think it would be cool because the birth date would be 01-11-10 and I do like those palindromes. And it would be nice not to have to wait any longer to find out if it's a boy or a girl. I've been picturing the baby as a girl way too much. I'm trying not to because if it's a boy I'll be happy but the thought adjustment will sprain my brain.

Hooray new baby! May mini-hop's entry into the world be a joyful one.

:)

Happy, happy, joy, joy first visit with Theo, GD and CP + a whole lotta Lotters. Happy, happy, joy, joy indeed.

I love my LoT family.

I got a full-time job today with benefits.
I just got the call.
Very happy.
I'm going to be doing development/office management type work at a non-profit here.
:)

Congratumalations!

Mazel tov!

Full time with benefits at a non-profit - doesn't get better than that. :) WTG

Yay Brad!

Congratulations Brad!!

Congrats Brad! :snap:

OMG! Congrats Brad!!!

Tonight we went up to Lakewood to meet with the minister who's going to marry us, then we went to the restaurant we ate at on our first date, and walked on the Seal Beach pier. Oh, and it's only been a week since our actual anniversary (of our 1st date), so as far as I'm concerned, that was our anniversary dinner - and well spent at that :)

No baby yet but this Friday is eviction day if the little darling doesn't vacate on its own.

Waaaaaaitaminute. Did I miss the "lindyhop is pregnant" thread?

Well, she is claiming you to be the father...

Apparently we both did.:p No, my son and his wife are expecting "any time now." And I'm waiting as patiently (not) as I can.

How exciting! My best to your son and his wife. :)

I'm down another inch in my waist, and my total loss since September is 20 pounds. :)

I've also "graduated" to wearing XL - no more 2XL for me! :D

WTG!

Congrats!

I have lost 25 since last March and gone from just barely fitting in size 40s to size 36s being a touch too loose.

Congratulations T & Andrew!

My kidney stone passed last night- there was much rejoicing...

Oof- I've been there. It really is wonderful when the ordeal is over.

(Also, last time I was in the emergency room, they put some kind of drug in the IV that made me reeeeealllly happy. When I was checking out a while later, one of the nurses told me she enjoyed my nice singing voice. I didn't remember singing, but apparently, I had, to the amusement of everyone in the ER.)

Congratulations Matt - I've been there as well. (keep the pain meds handy just in case it happens again).

Congratulations to all for loss of weight and stones too!

Yay for good news. :)

Bravo, Bravo, Bravissimo!


Since I became a druggie back in Nov I'm down about 25lbs and other than one belt notch its not made one damn bit of visible difference. I still wear all the same stuff and I'm still waiting for that first "Are you losing weight?" comment.

Congrats! But I still ain't going anywhere near that photos link.

The photos have nothing to do with my kidney stone. But some people don't like them, especially the Disneyland photos.

Some new photos of Theo in the Flickr set


A sampling





Wow, seeing this one compared to just a week later, he really was jaundiced. Pink as can be now :)

awwwwwww - such cuteness

Like I'm falling for that one! Ha!

For lack of a better place to put it, I want to share a video from Susan's sister's baby Jack (we call him Jack Jack). Apparently, he doesn't like pees.

That would be a sign of kidney issues. But the visual evidence is that he doesn't like peas.

I can't believe I typed that. I could still change it, but I won't.

Is there anything geekier than waking up on a lovely Saturday morning to turn on your dual-screen PC monitors to World of Warcraft on the left and Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog on the right?

I think not!!!!

Felicia Day is my hero!!!!

If you love Felicia Day and her show The Guild, you need to know that most of them are in a very funny improv troupe called "Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em". They perform once a month in LA. Last month's show was great, and we're going back to see them on Feb 19.

Woooooooo where do you get tickets?

Also if you have any tickets to Neil Patrick Harris making out with his bf, I'd be up for that too.

You have to reserve 'em... I think about a week before the show. Then it's $10 cash at the door. I'll let you know when I know.

Ha!

That flash from the red light camera was for the dude behind me. Yes!

That is the FUNNIEST thing! Kev, if you put that on YouTube, it'd go viral it's so funny! I'd mojo you but... you know ;)

I got the best "I'm Celebrating" button EVER today- for passing a kidney stone!

I was meeting with my boss today to go over a project description I wrote and he sighed a bit and said he was reminded while going over the project description how nice it was to work with someone who could actually write.

Sure, my job still sucks - but at least my current boss recognizes that I have some skills. Bonus points for recognizing my favorite skill.

Well, second favorite skill.

Is fellatio #1?

I knew I could count on Kevy to fill in the blank.

Well, it was obvious...

I never thought I'd think of DEVO- Blockhead as 'comfort tunes' until tonight.

:D :cheers:

PDF printing worked and did not crash either program. It took an abysmally long time for do a test 10 pages, but I can have this PDF print when I go to bed and I won't care how long it takes. Yay!

Glad you got it working!

Where did you pass it?

I just had a piece of cake with a big buttercream frosting rose on it. :D

I won a free one-day Disneyland ticket through their Twitter sweepstakes.

So did Jennifer.

Out of a total of 50 awarded.

Weird, huh?

Awesome!
:)

The tweet I see says something about "potential" winners. Are you sure it's a done deal?

One of my bestest friends in the whole world, who has wanted to have a kid of her own since she can remember, and who thought she was basically out of time, is at 5 weeks. While logically we are mindful that this is still a risky time, emotionally we are all SQUEEEEEEEEE!

This may be premature, but Susan is on her way to buy is a new King Sized bed. We hope they can bring it tomorrow.

I guess this means I really need to build the extensions to our Queen Sized wall unit :eek:

As well as your queen sized straps and chains.

Better than having to redo your Size Queen wall unit. Getting an autoclave that big isn't easy.

It's official - they are delivering tomorrow between 3:30 and 4:30

Any other people who used to be Oz fans out there? Tergesen is guesting on an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU. Hotness.

Tonight we finally get to see Elton John and Billy Joel!! The concert was postponed back in November. As a bonus Gary's priceline hotel for this week is just a few blocks away and he was able to get two beds! I just hope they let the kid and I check in even though Gary's not there, hopefuly he talked to the front desk this morning like he said we would.

As an added bonus there is a new Aussie pie shop in Portland that Gary learned about last week and he is taking us there for lunch tomorrow! I haven't had a sausage roll in 22 years and I'm excited! I'm bringing a cooler so I can get a few extra pies in a couple of flavors to bring home too!

I am so very excited!

Totally jealous of you Jill - have a great time!

Thanks! It was supposed to be Gary's birthday present, now it's just a little late.

I know someone on LoT has already seen the show, Erica maybe, but I never heard a review but you know it will be awesome.

It should be an awesome first concert for Zach!! I wish my parents were that cool!

Woot!!! Taylor Lautner is legal! LMAO.

Is she the chick Kanye interrupted? That was so rude...

No, no, that was his beard.

New camera bag makes me happy, and makes toting gear around MUCH easier :)

Is he a fan of theirs? I'd never assume anyone under 20 would appreciate Candle in the Wind or Piano Man, though kids often pick up on what their parents listen to. Hope you had fun!

Jad an interview today for a hearing centre as a customer service face-to-face guy - it's everything I used to do at the Nokia Centre, but with Hearing aids instead of Phones. (well, you can't make calls or put ringtones on hearing aids, but still...)

I will know today if I have been successful enough to go meet the manager on Mon. *Fingers Crossed*

Oh, and Yay for Aussie Pie Shops. Maybe I could come over there and start one up.

I'd love to see an Aussie Pie Shop open next to the Burrito Factory.

Totally jealous. I hope to see it during their next tour. I've already seen Billy Joel and he was fantastic.

She's going next weekend.

Have fun!

Can one catch Hearing AIDS from unprotected phone sex?

I miss BF

Actually, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. If you have to wear hearing aids anyway, add some bluetooth and integrate your cell phone needs.

I was WAY under 20 (and probably Zach's age) when I was a HUGE Elton John Fan.

Well yeah, but compared to the other music coming from the Victrola, or watching the horse drawn buggies go down the lane, that would have been considered cutting edge entertainment back then.

Just for the record, we all drew straws on who would get to make the old joke.

That was one of the most AWESOME nights of my life!! It was three and a half hours of nonstop music, seriously, no break. They both came out and played together. Then Elton played by himself and then Billy. To end the night they both played together again. It was amazingly cool!

Zach liked Elton John before because Gary is a huge fan but now it would appear that Zach is a big Billy Joel fan! He came home and started downloading his songs tonight! He leaned over during We Didn't Start the Fire and said "I'm downloading this as soon as I get home!" and he did plus a few more.

It was a little strange hearing Joel sing Eltons songs but it was awesome.

We saw them do their "Face To Face" show a few years back- great show, good long show- it was especially cool to hear them do each others music.

Very cool. Have you explained the Cola Wars line to him?

To get out of fighting the Cola Wars I switched to Canadian Club.

Ummmm, I wasn't aware of that line but thank you for the heads up:blush:

I really wasn't a big Billy Joel fan so there were songs I'd never heard. There were a few that I knew pretty well from radio play back in the day though.

That's one of my favorite songs. Here is the video. It's what kicked off my fascination with the 60s.

Not only did I just get to have fun and get paid at an automotive research event, I got invited back for a focus group next week. Yay!

F-ing VANOC notwithstanding, we are having a great time here in Vancouver at the Olympics.

I bought this shirt:

California
Northumberland United
Calvin Klein ?

;) :p

I'm sure it sucks after this many years of planning to not get to see the event you picked. Hopefully it won't happen again.

I'm glad you guys are having a wonderful time. It looks cool on tv but I'm sure it's amazing in person!!

I made it through a whole work day today. I even got a break and a lunch. Imagine that.

Yay for break and lunch! I can't believe they made you work without, especially with your health lately!

Just got back from an automotive focus group. Obviously I can't give any details, but it was fun. Two-way mirror and everything!

It is about time they put two-way mirrors in automobiles.

I GET MY CAR BACK TODAY!!!

And it's about $300 less than they originally quoted me after the diagnostic.

WOOOOOOOO FRICKIN' HOOOO!!!

Awesome!
:)

Sadly, I realize that I'm still having to shell out $450 for what was only a bump in a fraction of a second... but still totally happy.

Another two pounds gone! I'm just one pound away from dropping another middle digit on the scale. :)

Total loss since summer - 24 pounds. :D

I celebrated my last "middle digit" drop a bit too much. So I got to do it again, and again..... :blush:

What is a "middle digit" drop? The only thing that comes to mind for me is flipping somebody off and somehow I don't think that is what you mean.

This pic was so funny, it made me happy.

That is so wrong... I love it!

Not that we had any outward reason for concern, but it's comforting to know, after weighing and measuring Theo today, he's not only subjectively happy and healthy, he's statistically so as well. Whereas after 2 weeks he was in the 2nd percentile in weight, 5th in height and 2nd in head circumference. Based on our measurements today, he's around 10th percentile in all 3. Yay!

Oh, and:

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Finished re-wiring the front speakers today. I'm pleased.

He is so adorable, love the pics!

So darling......but why is Theo wrapped up like a Mummy in the first pic? Is this something new that the Docs recommend?

He's so cute. Wolffy they told us to wrap Maddie like that. Of course doing so really super pissed her off but that's what they recommended. Wrap them up like a burrito.

It's swaddling. It's something very very old that us advanced modern folks are just now relearning (fell out of favor in America around the time of the Revolution - wouldn't want to restrict your baby's freedom now would you?)

A lot of people think their baby hates it because, especially the first few times you do it, they seem to get pissed off while you're wrapping them up. But once you figure out how to do it, and combine it with a couple other things (get them in the right position, rock them just right, shush them in a white-noise sort of way), it can literally be like an off switch for an inconsolable baby. The working theory being that infants have a reflexive response to stay calm in womb-like conditions since throwing a fit in the womb would be generally bad. What's are womb-like conditions? Wrapped up tight, kinda lying on their side, jiggling around as mom moves, and the constant white-noise-like din (about as loud as a vacuum cleaner) of blood rushing around. Recreate that as closely as possible, and you have a calm baby.

Of course, "primitive" cultures, without the benefit of knowing WHY it works, figured that out all on their own. Wrap 'em in a papoose, strap 'em to your back so they bounce while you walk. It's been working for millennia.

We always called it the baby burrito and Gary became an expert at it, me not so much. I'm still not that good at making a real burrito or wrap to this day, mine always fall apart!

They talked about swaddling when Susan and I took Foster Parent Training several years ago (no, we never did). This is especially helpful for drug babies.

The first thing I want to do with a swaddled baby is unwrap it. I want to see and touch the baby. Dylan was born in the summer so warmth wasn't an issue and he was pretty calm in general. The nurses would bring him all wrapped up and they would take him back (this was pre-rooming in days) completely deconstructed but Mom would be happy.

In the photos of my grandson at the hospital you can tell when Grandma's gotten to him because there's a foot poking out and the blanket looks like it was thrown up in the air (possibly along with the baby). I needed to see that baby (and also tickle him to wake him up).

If you wake him up, you get to hold him while he screams. Them's the rules.

Apparently swaddling is particularly effective in premies. While Theo wasn't really a premie, he was about as close as can be without being so, so it's been a blessing for us. If he's unwrapped and awake it's only a matter of time before he just stimulated himself into anger and frustration.

Wolfette was a premie, no question, 3 lbs when she came home.

I do remember one time wrapping her "burrito" style (along with many layers of clothes) when we went to Carmel at three months during winter to keep her warm, poor kid screamed forever, we were really scared and ready to take her to the Hospital. After a while we finally unwrapped her and stripped her down to her onesie, and she quit crying right away. We came to the conclusion we tried to cook her, and never did wrap her again like that.

Zach seemed to really like swaddling when he was born and he was far from a preemie. He was always able to wiggle out of mine though at some point.

I haven't looked at baby things in forever, I bet they have some cool stuff! He loved the toys he could manipulate himself to make noise and colors, like the archway they lay under( I'm sure it has a name though) and things like that when he was a little older than Theo. All I remember about newborns is being very tired, all the time. Thankfully it didn't last forever! I love when they start noticing the world around them, it's such a wonderous time!

Gary bought newborn Air Jordans that matched his for when Zach was born :confused:

Theo is definitely the opposite. The surest way to anger him is to take his clothes off. When he's being sleepy and I want him to have a full nursing session, I take his clothes off. Sometimes, I'm surprised by how fussy he's being and then I realize I never put his clothes back on. As soon as I finish zipping his cozier outfits he calms right down. (If it's warm, we'll put him in lightweight clothes and a lightweight swaddle cloth.)

He won't fall asleep well at all without the swaddle. The startle reaction is too strong. It'll be nice when he grows out of that, though it could be a while.

Swaddling is definitely a learned skill, and it can be hard to make yourself bundle the baby so tightly. After Theo pushed his way out of my swaddles and woke himself up in the middle of the night one too many times, I bit the bullet and got more aggressive in tightening the wrap. Nothing will motivate you more than having to wake up for a feeding session after an hour of sleep instead of the priceless TWO hours you crave so badly.

Love the new pics of Theo!

Add another huge fan of swaddling, heck Missy is almost 29 and when she isn't feeling well she 'self swaddles' in her assorted woobies...but it was a blessing from all above when she was small and dealing with so much medical stuff.

Two words: duct tape!

A friend of mine who works at the Studios is referring me for a Graphic Designer position! :D

:)

Awesome! :)

Listening to the Police in DTS in the living room. Totally freakin' awesome sounding. :D

I win I win I win I win I win I win I win!

So I'm a giant geek and subscribe to Nikoli.com, a site with daily logic puzzles.

On top of the usual logic puzzles they run a couple interesting side contests, one of them they call the Nikoli Derby. They dress it up as a a virtual horse race, but the rules are very simple. Everyone who enters chooses a number. Any number they want. Whomever chooses the lowest number that nobody else has chosen wins. So if 2 or more people choose "1", they lose, then if 2 people chose "2", they lose, and you keep going until you reach the first number that only 1 person chose.

This time, that number was "2", and the person was me! I win a t-shirt! Squee, free t-shirt!!

It's always fun to win something, isn't it! I bet it will be an interesting shirt too!

I bitched about how it was handled elsewhere, but, so as not to seem like an ingrate...I got a big ol' bonus today! w00t. I worked my ass off last year on a project, and management finally made it worth our while (in their own fvcked up, tone deaf, utterly out of touch with reality way). And timing couldn't be better as we are trying to figure out how to budget on 1/3 the income.

Plus, I learned that they're building a Sonic burger around the 'sdaods* corner from work. Good day. Excellent day.





* I left that in. I sneezed with my fingers on the keyboard, that was the result. It amused me.

I am so happy to be back at my old job. That is I will be until Summer or the next Holiday hits and I'm working my ass off. :)

I helped a graphics-challenged classmate on a project today, and it turns out that he runs his own business and has clients with graphics needs all the time, so he's going to refer them to me.

Win-win! :D

Sweet, DP!
:)


I'm happy today because "Hair" extended again! Second extension. Woo hoo! Let's hear it for "Hair" extensions!
:D

16 months ago I bought some stock in my company. The price was way down and I knew it would go back up.

I just sold it for double what I paid. I actually think it's going to continue to rise, but double was the benchmark I set, and a damned good return for 16 months, so I did the smart thing and quit while I'm ahead.

Our Chameleon (Karma) is laying eggs!!!

(Well, she was laying a couple of hours ago - she's probably done by now.)

After about 8-10 months, we may have some baby Chameleons (first clutches are always questionable with Chameleons).

So tonight, I get to go digging through dirt to find those damn eggs (they always bury deep).

Karma Chameleon.
Brilliant.
:D

But not very original. I am on a Chameleon forum and I am starting to think that almost every Chameleon owner (at least those of us that lived through the 80's) has named one of there Chams 'Karma'

We named another one Darma: Karma and Darma.
One of our older boys (who we lost) was named Dogma. Like "my Karma ran over your Dogma."

The most recent acquisition, which we secured the same day that Theo Allen was born (and Susan's birthday), is named T-Bone. We hated to see a great name go to waste.

Theo does open his eyes wide and stick his tongue out a lot.

Can he move them independently?

Also, if he starts using his tongue to catch crickets that are several inches away, look out!

For those who missed it (Susan tweeted this photo yesterday), Karma fell asleep a couple of times during the process (from exhaustion I am sure - she was having a difficult time). She was able to get a picture of it (she is nose-down in one of the holes she dug):

Not!Kitty!

Sorry - I was going to spoilerize it for you and forgot to :(

<Shameless Parent Brag >

Moonie Jr. and the band finally made it to WDW last weekend. The highlight was the "Recording Session" they do with all the school bands.

In essence their guide brings them into the studio and the recording technician has them play a few songs and then selects a Disney short for them to record the score for live.

After they finished, the guide mentioned, "I've never heard that one before" to which the tech replied, "that's because in the 10 years I've been here it's only the third time I've had a band I thought could handle it."

:)

</Shameless Parent Brag>


I know it was a piece from Fantasia, but I'm not sure which one. We should get a copy of the DVD soon.

I loooooove these pictures.
:)

Well it took 2 full weeks, but I think my back is finally pain-free. yeesh.

It's been 3 months and my neck/shoulder pain is still here....2 weeks would be a eye blink in comparison (but glad that is all you had to deal with). Sure wish the Doctors would do something productive.....so far pills, therapy, more pills. Next up a specialist.

At risk of jinxing it:

We've now had 3 evenings in a row where T has slept 4+ hours. Followed by another 2-3 hours. And while I'm sure CP would rather that 4 hour stretch come in the middle of the night allowing her much needed sleep, I'm appreciating the fact that it's coming in the late evening. It's making for something approaching normalcy. I get home from work, he's awake for a bit so I can see him and play with him, then he goes to sleep and we get to deal with dishes, and watch some TV like real human beings.

I'm sure this won't last, but I'll take what I can get!

On a related note, for the last couple days he has decided to stay awake all morning, echoing the long sleeping periods at night. We get time to play, time in the sunshine, exercise and stories and songs. I'm also getting better at keeping his needs met during this period so he's not angry for long. This morning I was even able to get laundry going and write down some recipes with a mostly happy baby in tow, instead of having to wait for him to sleep. He's so good. :)

It's always such a relief when they finally start sleeping and giving the parents a little much needed down time.

CP, I'm sure you have a lot more laundry now! I'm glad you are able to get a routine down, it makes life a lot easier on everyone. We all know, little ones aren't always cooperative on the routines we would like them to be on. They seem to set their own clocks for the rest of our lives ;)

He sure is one precious little guy!

Hooray for sleep patterns!

--------
I keep receiving compliments and praise at work, by my department head, by other random co-workers and other random department heads. I've only been here a month and I've been fully trained on whatever comes along, while being expected to know how to do what I said I know how to do. It's very weird to receive positive feedback after the daily beat-down from the other place. It's even weirder being back in a place that expects me to do all the stuff I am expected to do, where passing the buck is not the norm. Computer broken? Fix it. New user coming on board? Get their AD accounts created and computer set up/shipped.

I'd say that it's making depressed, realizing how horrible the last place was, but this is the happy thread and I'm thrilled they did what they did so I could get this awesome gig.

Got the results from blood work. In 4 months, sticking to a diet with surprising ease, I cut my triglyceride # nearly in half. And my blood pressure was lower than it's been in years. Yay me!

VGDM

I'm going to celebrate with a double bacon cheeseburger, chocolate shake, and deep fried cheesecake.

And a Diet Coke?

Sorta like my small raspberry mocha from Peet's this morning. Half caf, non-fat milk, and with whip!

eh, forget I said anything... :

Mad Z won her polo tournament today. She's becoming a seriously kick ass polo player. So proud of her!

Go MADZ!!!

Here are a couple photos.

Go Madz Go!

I slept through the night! Woohoo!

Way to go Madz!!

Matt, so glad you got to sleep. I dream of the night I get to sleep all the way through ;) someday, hopefully!

One of my USAJobs applications actually made to the hiring committee stage! It's not an interview, much less a job, but hey - at least it's progress.

Go Mad Z! I didn't even know anyone played polo anymore :rolleyes: It looks like fun!

Go Matt! May you have more of the same!

Go Pru! May the next one bring the offer you've been waiting for all these years!

I'm so tired, I'm shure I'll sleep like a baby! I finally got the chance to start on a big project in the back yard. It involved removing a rotting deck, building a small brick wall, and putting pavers down. It's about 2/3 done. But with my health issues this past year I'm so out of shape. And hitting 50 hasn't helped :rolleyes: ....

But it's so nice to get it going. It's a good kind of tired!

Theo is totally learning to talk. Sure, actual words are a long way off, but yesterday he was putting together 2 or 3 noises in a row, gesturing, and repeating the same sequence with clear intent (well, the intent wasn't clear, but the fact that there WAS intent was clear).

Of course, because it's so new we don't yet know what he means when he's trying to communicate, so he gets frustrated when we can't figure it out. But we keep trying to guess. I think our guesses are getting better, and his absolute joy when we get it right is making me tear up just thinking about it.

Sounds like your training is well under way. He'll have you both shaped up in no time.

No doubt.

I also forgot the other breakthrough last night. CP was able to put him in his crib while still awake, and he lay there without complaint for a good half hour or more. He did eventually need a bit of time being held by Mom to fall completely asleep, but it was a big step in the right direction for him to not be upset about being left alone in the crib while still awake.

Today I finished the online version of Squadron Officer School. Allegedly not many civilians make it through this optional training; we'll see if it has any affect on my workplace status. It was a not inconsiderable amount of work.

It's hard to tell it online but I'm giving you a very crisp salute!

Very well done.

As of last night/yesterday, I officially have health insurance!

That is a very good thing but don't go getting sick just because you can now;)

I bought a little crochet kit and guidebook early this week and have taught myself stitches every night and am already picking up speed and coordination! I'm already making a couple different bags, both without patterns. It's so fun, and I'm loving it. :)

Just curious - where is it today?

It went a few cents higher in the days immediately after I sold...then dropped to 10% below what I sold it for. It's hovered a little bit above that mark since. So short term, I was dead on right. I still expect long term improvement as we've been racking up design wins that will eventually pay off. But I'm more than happy with what I got out of that short term investment.

I finished a sewing project I've been working on. Always a good feeling :)

Doin' a victory dance over here.

Today was a big day, the first time I've really spent a day with Theo without CP around.

No idea how it would go. Ever since I've gone back to work, he hasn't been so big on being comforted by Dad. Not that he is never happy when I'm home, he's happy most of the time. But when he does get to be out of sorts (did you know that babies cry?), he wants nothing to do with me. Mom or nothing. Doesn't help that he's been iffy at best on the bottle lately (definitely rather have him reject the bottle than the breast, but it's a little frustrating to not have any means of calming him down myself).

Long story short, I had a wonderful afternoon, he drank plenty of milk from the bottle, and, the bit I'm most impressed with myself for, I just successfully put him in his crib for a nap. Go me!

Way to go new dad!

I went to post a rant in the "Totally Serious Vent Thread" but I had trouble finding it.

There has not been a post there in three days.

That made me happy.

So I came here instead.

:D

Yay, Moonliner! :D

Tomorrow is my Friday! Yay! Then 5 days off, a staycation, TV off and the last of the book will be finished. Then it's off to the editor for the blue pencil and in May, it will be on sale! Hopefully I can squeeze in some laundry and housekeeping in those 5 days, too.

Yay!
:snap:

In Savannah, GA... the weather is gorgeous... ate a fantastic meal at Ruth's Chris with two of Jason's best-ever friends (meeting them for the first time)... And I have two more days to look forward to.

And did I mention the weather is gorgeous?

I must make the Southeast my home someday.

I'm enjoying my MOMs club outings. Just some time in a park with new people and kids running around...nice. Eventually Theo can join in the fun on the playground.

I may not seem this way to you guys, but getting to know new people is hard for me. I'll do it, but not without large amounts of cringing afterward at my own awkwardness. So far I'm doing pretty good and haven't been scared off. The ladies are very nice and welcoming.

Also, I may not be able to show up to things on time just yet but I'm working on it. :)

I've been saying that for almost a decade.

My dad got his 6-month PET scan results yeasterday: Still cancer free!

So either his very aggressive cancer is beaten down so far that it can't be seen (in which case it'll be a long time coming back) or he just might possibly be in full remission!!!

Maddie's got her insulin pump on and working. It just has salene in it right now to pratice but on Wednesday we start with the insulin. Yay no more shots. She still has to test and put on a new pod every 3 days but the 4 plus shots a day will be history. She's so happy.

She has Type 1 diabetes. It's genetic and her pancreas no longer produces insulin on it's own. So she has to take insulin for the rest of her life (unless they find a cure) or she'll die basically. So the pump does a couple of things - it constantly gives her a small amount of insulin to keep her level. Then when she eats she has to count carbs and take a set amount of insulin so that her body can absorb the carbs. Currently she does this with shots. She takes one before each meal and one at bedtime. Possibly more if her levels are high. So the pump also means not so many shots.

Most people have Type 2 diabetes which is a whole other ballgame. Type 2 can be controlled by diet and medications. Although some do go on insulin as well.

The other great thing is the pump is more discreet. At lunch at school or at a resturant or whatever she doesn't have to whip a needle out and give herself a shot before eating. Now she just tells the pump how many carbs she's eating and it delivers the insulin through the pod which is attached to her and is filled with insulin. It delivers it through a small cathater which it attaches to her once you put the pod on.

She still has to test her blood glucose as before, this is poking your finger and putting a small drop of blood into a meter which measures it. But less shots at least makes her happy. And it will also help keep her glucose levels more stationary which is also good.

Here's the website for the pump she's got - it has no tubing and is wireless which is extra cool OmniPod

I got to ride two of my favorite flat rides EVER today- and one of them was on such a kickass program, it nearly knocked Rose and I out! Even with a power outage stopping the middle of the ride, out of the thousands of carnival rides I've had, I can easily say it was in my top 5.

:D

To the press?

I'll have been living with my husband for 6 years as of May 5th. I've been thinking a lot about it lately and it makes me smile to think how much time has passed already. And, every morning, I smile when I wake up and see him next to me. My honey makes my heart sing, and I fall in love all over again every day. It's total serious happy love. :)

I know the feeling - I LOVE waking up next to him as well!

I just got a wedding present! A cousin who couldn't make it to my wedding sent me these beautiful butterfly dishes by Lenox. IMMD

(of course it also reminded me that I'm WAY behind on my thank you notes...)

Don't worry. We're now over 3 years behind on ours. And, we custom ordered them too... just to sit in a box in the garage... :rolleyes: :blush:

But, we do remember who gave us what, and think of them every time we use or look at their gifts. :)

Our new rescue kittens are making me very happy. Meet Greta and Mabel.

I LOVE Mabel's pattern, but I see Trouble in those eyes! Greta is also a cutie, but seems like the quieter one. But, who can tell from pictures.

Cute furbabies!!!! Bless you for helping them, LS.

Pack me a bag, we're off to St. Louis!

That museum is one of the greatest places on earth- I'd LOVE to recreate it on my own property someday (especially the puking pig)

You've been? Photos?

Started my new job today, so far so good :)

Got my car back this evening! :)

Yay!
:)

Regular Expressions, today you are my bitch.

I got to play with the headless corpse today! And my buddy Wolfman made a kid cry and run out of the building! YAY!!!

I finished my first crochet project last night! It's a black headband with a cute white flower that I secured with a yellow button in the middle. :)

Now, I'm working on a bag. I'm learning some mad skills. ;)

I have a penis - I am very happy about that!

Was it missing for a while?

I lose track of it sometimes

Who's is/was it?

Definitely not yours: one never knows where THAT'S been

The Valentino family have seen the preview and LOVE my book. :blush: :D

Yay - Congratulations Snowflake!

WOW! Super cool news, Snowflake!

That's SuPeR RAD!

YAYY!!

Great news! (Though I'm not surprised in the least)

Yay! (but what did they say about the cover? ;) )

Loved all of it and can't wait for it. :)

Thanks everyone, without the literal and virtual support of my LoT friends this would not have gotten done. The manuscript portion is being proofread and next goes through the fact checker and then to the final editor who will rip it to shreds. I've got a few pics to change up, but I'm in wait mode before inserting the final text and then the upload to blurb. At 3Gb, it's a mother of all book files!

So, does this mean you do or don't need me to clean up the rest of the files that my lazy butt never got around to? :blush:

Right-o, no more work needed.

Kevy, I know it's not been laziness, you have a life and you did a lot of work an effort on what you did accomplish. Heck that one photo took you loads of time and that ALONE was beyond fabulous. You gave me loads of your time for free and I can't repay that, same with CP, except in credit in the book. So phooey on that, no guilt, just gratefullness on my part! :snap:

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Are these relatives of his brother and sister?

Yes.

Great Grandfather Alberto - RV's brother
Grandfather Jean - RV's nephew
Daughters of Jean - RV' Grand Niece
Daughter of Daughter of Jean (Great Grand Niece)

TGIF and it's payday! :D

I've been looking at a couple patterns on a historically accurate patternmaker's website for absolutely ages. *drool*

Tonight, I finally ordered a couple :D

Still haven't bought the bustle petticoat pattern, gotta save something for the future, right?

Where is the "Total Serious Bittersweet Thread"?

I'm very happy to announce that I've accepted a position at a very cool company that will allow me to expand my career into new directions (my new bosses and I discussed my interest in uniting all theatrical marketing platforms, like print/audio-visual/interactive... so my goal is to get as much experience with the poster and trailer departments so that I can do that efficiently.) I am excited and I feel so tremendously lucky to move in this new direction.

But the bitter part of this exciting news is that I love my team and I'm sad to leave them. It happened so quickly, and while I know it's the right decision, I'll really miss everyone at Jetset. Ah, well, every rose has its thorn, right?

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Big congrats LSPE - well done!!

In happy news - Mindy is a-o-k after a minor surgery today. She's resting and doing well. Happy she's ok. :)

Good job, H! Congratulations! It sounds exciting.

Yay for Mindy! Give her a gentle hug from me.

Major congrats to LSPE. :snap:

Glad to hear Min is ok.

BTW, Bornieo's avatar just made my morning. :)

I get to go see Bon Jovi this time at New Meadowlands Stadium Giants Stadium July 9th awesome 5th row PIT VIP package including backstage tour and dinner can you tell i'm excited? 47 more days til i leave. :)

I'm totally happy with the love and support my friends, and yes, even my coworkers have offered me through these tough days and weeks.

Things are still not totally resolved, but I've had it made crystal clear to me just how much I mean to the company, and not the other way around.

I'm glad to see you posting in this thread, Matt- I've been keeping an eye on the LoT tonight to see how you are, and I'm happy that you know how much we all love and appreciate you! :-)

I'm posting from my spot on the couch in front of the Wall of Klipsch, listening to music at unacceptable levels. :D

:snap:

Sounds great Matt!

Well it's official Matt was terminated today. He's not aware i am posting here on the LOT but i figured i would since many of you have heard of his possible termination. Today it is official.

I am boycotting that company like the plague and asking everyone else to do so. Sorry they not only lost the best employee they ever had but they will loose out on money spent at that place as well. Shame really he worked there for 8 yrs plus years.

He'll be ok. We are NOT going to renew our season passes for Disneyland after August 2nd this year. Too much money and now that he's unemployed as of today we have bills that need paying that are more important than spending time at Disneyland. We'll try to fit in a few more visits in the park with friends of course but after July that's it for who knows how long.

But i know something better is awaiting him around the corner. It just has to be.

You know who needs Matt? Magic Mountain! Take your coasterthusiasm up to Valencia and explain to them why they need you!

Meh- the best part of our visit to Universal was Matt. I agree with Gn2- MM needs him!

I'm employed!

Now it's time to do the dance of joy! :D

I'm an employee of Local B-192, Interim Office Manager- it's going to be an interesting time as I'll be learning (as will the whole local) as we go.

YAY MATT!!! So Happy for you!!!!!!

Awesome!!!!!

:snap: Yay! I do the happy dance with thee! :snap: :snap: :snap: :D :snap: :cheers:

Yay!!!!!!!!!

YAY MATT!

Congrats Matt!

Cool-a-mundo!

Woot! That sounds like a great opportunity!

Congratulations Matt!

Wow Matt - WTG!

Congratulations!

[Dr. Evil voice] Excellent [/Dr. Evil voice]


When do you start?

Woohoo!

How fantastic! Yay Matt! :snap: :cheers:

Wow, Matt- that's great! :snap:

Thanks everybody, I've got the best wife, and the best friends anywhere.

Thanks so much for the kind words and support. :cheers:

Really happy for you! :snap:

Yay Matt! :D

Yay Matt!

That's great news!!

I am so happy for Matt. I knew he would find something more suited to his abilities. I just "kept the faith" and kept hearing my brother who passed away say "You'll see" when he told me that the theme park fired him...so this is a blessing in disguise. Life can get back to normal. :)

And i just booked my hotel room for my trip to New Jersey too. :) Counting down the days 4 more weeks til i fly out and 29 days til the concert. :) Each day i have to work is torture for me lol yes i am obsessed lol all i can think about lol

Wow!

I took the dogs out for a walk this evening. A warm pleasant breeze blowing , with overcast skies making it as dark as it gets around here. We went by the woods behind our house where there is a stand of giant old elm trees. The trees were covered with thousands upon thousands of lightning bugs. It was beautiful! Green flashes of happiness filling the night!

They'd make great targets for high powered handheld lasers.

I'm officially* faster than a bus.


*Not official


It being Friday, manager out of town, and with nothing so pressing that it couldn't wait until Monday, I decided to leave work early. I checked the bus schedule, hopped on my bike...and sat helplessly at a light while the bus pulled up to the stop and departed 3 minutes early (yeah, I was cutting it close).

The next bus wasn't scheduled for another 20 minutes, and catching it would have, thanks to missed transfers, gotten my home at essentially the same time as if I hadn't left work early. Bummer.

So I got on my bike and started pedaling, seeing if I could take advantage of that 20 minute gap, catch up to some cross-route.

Long story short...I ended up biking the full 9 miles home, in less total time than the trip would have taken had I caught that first bus. In the process, I actually caught up to and passed a bus on one route and kept pace with the express bus on that route (admittedly, it was the route directly through downtown Santa Ana at 5PM, but still).

I felt super-human!

I'm not quite ready to make it a regular event. It's still an hour long ride, and I was definitely fueled by some extra adrenaline that kicked in when I started passing buses, and I can't count and that same boost in the future. But, seeing as I can make the ride even easier by taking the Santa Ana river bike trail instead of Main St., I'm definitely going to start doing it at least once or twice a week. If that goes well I'll try it in the morning as well (we have a gym with showers at work).

I had no intention of this turning into a bike commute, but that was orders of magnitude easier than I ever thought it could be. Though now I'm REALLY wishing I hadn't been so dumb to have gotten rid of my old light-as-a-feather street bike just because the dreailleur broke.

Wait, I almost forgot to post the HAPPIEST part of this total serious happy story. I walked in the door and was greeted by the BIGGEST smiles and giggles from Theo. I just about died from joy.

Yay to both!

:cheers:

:)

Seeing Theo's reaction to GD coming home each day makes me totally seriously happy. It takes a little longer for baby to attach to daddy, and at this stage, it's easy to see how excited he is to see him. :)

I came home in a crappy mood and your story cheered me up a bit - thank you!

I loved your post, GD- and now that I've met the little dude, I can totally envision his smile. Makes me smile, so thanks for sharing!

That's great GD. I remember when Zach was little and would just beam when his dad came home!

Friends, Rudy is finally finished. :)

Uploading the puppy to blurb overnight, pray for no unforeseen disasters. The book file is 2.8Gb

Congratulations!!!!!!!

Woohoo!!

Its about damned time



Congrats Donna; I know how much work and love you put into this.

Wtg, Donna!! We shall be purchasing, and will have to get you up here to sign it. :D

Yay yay yay!

Now THIS is Totally Serious Happy News!!!! Way to GO, Donna!!!

Woohoo, Snowflake! :D

In happy news for me, I just registered for SIGGRAPH - the computer graphics convention in LA next month. There's a job fair with big, big names too! I'm so excited! :D

I'm both exhausted and happy after Patchwork. I have to say that Patchwork was one of the BEST Indie crafts events I've ever been to! I did really well and people loved my stuff! It was amazing. I can't wait to do it again!

Congratulations! And may I be among the large group to tell you I'm not surprised? You've found your calling!

That's fantastic news! Yay! :cheers: :snap:

Awesome! :snap: Your stuff is amazing, so I'm not surprised that you did well. :)

!!

Taking the bike trail, I made it home to day in almost the exact same amount of time it usually takes me to drive home.

This is turning out so...freaking...great.

9 more days and counting til i leave for New Jersey and Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium. I can NOT wait. I am counting down the days, hours and minutes now...lol not sure i will be able to sleep the night before i leave or the night i get there either...lol I know everyone is tired of me ranting about Bon Jovi but i can't help it.

Have a blast MMG!

Only 9 more days! Woohoo!!

I jumped through 3 sprinklers this morning at a park. It was fun. (Although, I got more wet than I was expecting. But it was still fun.)

We won a $300 prize basket from one of the Quilt Run shops! (Well, Ken did anyway.) It's apparently stuffed with $150 worth of stuff, and comes with a $150 gift certificate! I'm so going tool shopping! :D

You say that here, but over there, it was:evil:

I don't see those as being contradictory at all.

Exactly.

I want some Tacquitos.

We're having tacquitos tomorrow night! :D

What the heck is a tacquito? They're called taquitos people (no 'c')!!!



The first time Susan made taquitos, Grandma (from Mexico) had taught her how to make them, except not enough information was given about how much meat to start with. I made not one but TWO store trips to pick up more corn tortillas, wiping out the supply at both stores (you can let good meat go to waste, so the only solution was more tortillas for more taquitos).

I think she made about 500 taquitos that day.