Oh my Goodness! I had twins? I thought I only HAD one?! I only HAVE one! Oh well, one is cheaper than two. Of course...I have two. Hmm. Well, cheaper than three, then! :-<> :-)
Happy Birthday Eli Cash! You are an amazing son! I love you!!! :-)
Happy birthday Eli and Stevo! Hope you have a great day. Eli, what treats did you bring to school? We can only bring health, prepackaged ones here. It sucks.
Boy, Stevo looks young for 55! He is taking off work today to do whatever he wants. Here's what he wants to do: take in his leafblower because this is the last day on the warranty, fix Molly's dishwasher, take a walk (or a nap,) have a birthday dinner of roast chicken and roast duck (because he couldn't decide), a "big mound" of Brussels sprouts and pierogis, and pumpkin pie. He really doesn't want to do the leafblower thing, but it's the last day. Happy Birthday, you Polish Procrastinator.
Gaah. Healthy prepackaged snacks for a birthday? Why bother? Someone should just break the rules and send in a bunch of deep-fried Twinkies. Come on, Monica. Do it!
My list of bad birthday treats: sugarless gum air-popped popcorn sugarfree Jello shooters celery sticks with peanut butter protein bars fruit Hydroxycut
A kid in Liam's class (2nd Grade) brought toothpick skewers-o-grapes and cheese squares. Liam loved it! I suggested that he do the same for his birthday and he said, "No way Mom, I can't be a copier!"
This is unbelievable! Two MORE incredibly good looking, smart, engaging persons born in October. Will it never end? It is astounding to consider the disproportionate and sheer quantity of talent, beauty, and goodwill released to the world by the October birthdayees.
Lisa-thanks for asking. The drywall is going up slowly. So slowly, in fact, that no drywall is yet up. It's ready to go up, tho, the room is cleared and vacuumed and insulation packed in. You know how these dreaded projects (when you're too cheap to have a contractor do it) drag on and on. Drywalling is pretty easy and quick but, as with all projects, it seems like you have to do a dozen other things before you get to the actual drywalling. OK-A randomly timed question: Who has projects currently going on, what's the project and how long have you been at it. I'm counting the jobs that are "99% done" (you know, you completely re-did the house but never got around to finishing the molding, for instance). Pat- did you breathlessly wait to read this post? Did you enjoy it? I put it here instead of on the other blog.
I have painted my dining room and kitchen abut have to do the trim and touch up crap. I expect to not get those done until Feb/March when spring fever hits.
I just hired a guy to trim my giant oaks outside? Tom-I wish you lived closer.
I am currently painting the trim on the upstaris landing. This involves 7 paneled doors as well as (eventually) removing paint from the door handle plates. I did finaly get the shellac off the screws of the hook on one door and so was able to unscrew it and remove it. I filled the holes with spackling instead of wood putty (since there was none in the house) and Randy is disguisted with me. At this point, what ever is fastest is my motto.
I have yet to hang my pictures in my place. It will be 3 years in December.
Some of the rational/hindrances include:
"I don't have any picture hangers"; "I can see them fine on the floor leaning up against the wall. The only reason to hang them is to show off to other people. If you can see them fine on the floor you don't need to hang them"; "I don't know the rules for putting holes in the wall at my apartment"; "I don't know where I want to place them, the smoke detector is in the way.", and; countless others.
Yes, all these posts meet my high standards. I have no projects outstanding other than the project of creating a lifestyle to which I am more suitably adapted. That of leisure. This project is moving quite slowly.
We currently have the outside project going on... we hire it out. Its pressure washing the house, painting the shutters and painting the deck. the helpers were scheduled for Saturday, never showed. Then Monday the called to say, they will be out at 10am. They finally showed up 2pm. they washed the outside and hasn't showed up today(its 2) This is so... frustrating. Service sucks out here!!! I am not getting worked up about this today, I figure i paid them 10% so far and I can cancel if tomorrow iits a no show. And I got the house pressure washed for half the cost. Erin
Today the kids got out early. WooHoo! They got out early last year on Eli's birthday too! We are taking Betty and the boys to Scuffham(sp?) Farm to pick out pumpkins.
I asked Eli what he would like for his birthday dinner and he said, "Pizza Ranch!" Last week, Betty chose, "The Chrome Country Inn!" What they heck is up with that! Where have we gone wrong?
Everyone knows the Jayjack's win the oldest project contest. Our basement kitchenette (?) was never finished. It was first started 9 1/2 years ago when Catherine was born. When I moved out three years ago, the birthday boy put a very old computer on the desk in my room, since I wasn't going to be there. It was waiting to get moved somewhere else or thrown away. It's still there.
And as of last weekend, the bathroom cabinets are still disassembled, but painted, in the living room and the lone decor is the remains of torn off wallpaper.
i have a container of spackle and a putty knife on the tv stand in my living room next to the gouges that my dog put in the wall by the door. it's been sitting there for 1 1/2 years.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with food at the Chrome. As far as truck-stop food goes (hot turkey sandwiches, liver and onions, breakfasts, fried chicken dinners, etc) the Chrome's about as good as it gets.
My bathroom walls and ceiling were plastered last spring or winter and we still haven't painted. One light switch cover has been put back on. The other is still a gaping hole with a light switch suspended in the middle of it. The mirror is sitting on the sink leaning against the wall, and there are no towel racks.
The Jayjack bathroom cupboard project is very impressive! Cathy, you should take a photo. I'm tempted to paint my ceramuc tile kitchen floor sort of reddish orange..I think there is a product that will work, does anyone know? Erin, did the "helpers" ever show?
Djon't paint your tile. They did it in our house and it looks ugly.
Here's the deal on kid's birthdays: Last year Mary asked for chicken paramesan (chicken spaghetti) I made sauce, pounded chicken breasts, browned them, stuck them in the oven with a bit of sauce and lots of cheese, boiled the spaghetti, etc. She took two bites and wanted her presents. This year I encouraged McDonald's play land.
If painting yur tile works let me know. I've been thinking about painting my tile backsplash in the kitchen. I asked the lady at the paint store and she said there are special primers and paints for it.
We do not get booze, "at cost." We do get a very small discount though.
We have Ruebens...and, Rachels!
The Chrome is fine...for breakfast.
Art Otteson was our neighbor growing up. There are many funny stories regarding Art Otteson and his, "home repair," escapades. Story #1: Art was fixing his roof one year and came down for dinner before the work was complete. He never went up again. His roof was half done and his hammer and box of nails laid atop his roof for twenty years.
Whenever we have a home project that has sat on the back burners for too long...I say to my husband, "Ah man, we're starting to look like Art Otteson." He knows exactly what I mean and gets 'er done! Art may be gone but his legacy lives on.
Well, Steve and Cathy are out there fighting the fire, but, Steve accidently poured polish Rectified spirits instead of water...and he's currently in a holding cell...he was still soo happy from the duck and didn't notice! It's an oil company up in flames on the edge of CB...big big fire.
As I type...my cleaning ladies (Molly and her friend Nesha) are painting the bathroom cabinet doors. They want to get into the living room to clean it and have never been able to because the doors are laid out on card tables all around the living room. For anyone who has never had a cleaning lady, get one. You come home from work one day, and everythings vacuumed, dusted, bathrooms cleaned, floors washed and waxed...WOO-HOO! My award-winning list of unfinished projects includes: pegboard up all around the garage walls (1 1/2 walls done) basement kitchenette basement exercise room The Box Project (will be done by December) Painting the trim on the attic dormers. Actually, it's time to paint the whole house again, so maybe we'll get them this time. baseboard in kitchen UPSTAIRS BATHROOM These are just a few of the things, I deleted a bunch of others that need to be done but don't qualify as unfinished because they were never actually started. Mike and Mary and Stevo and I have this amazing thing in common: we both had a vise grip as a shower faucet for about 5 years.
Oil fire still burning. Big black smoke. It's actually south of town, I never would have known if it weren't on the news. Dad called this AM - Don's court date is this morning. Say a prayer. His lawyer says the prosecutor has agreed to aggravated misdemeanor instead of felony, but wouldn't drop the burglary charge. Best case scenario: credit for time served, hospitalization for another couple months then maybe a halfway house for a while.
The box project is emptying out every box that we have thrown crap into for the last 30 years and then been afraid to throw away (My passport's in one of them, I know!) They're all in the dining room lining the walls, and filing cabinets, etc, and we're going through them one at a time, but so far very slo-o-o-w-ly but we have to step it up because I'm not going to have them there at Christmastime, I'll just burn them all, I swear.
M.E. - I would paint tile but I would be afraid to paint tile that people are going to walk on. On the other hand, if it's paint it or replace it eventually, what have you got ot lose? Diane Sender - put your quiz on the blog! I want to see it too!
Stevo was about to throw away a box once and found two photos in it - priceless, irreplaceable ones I'm sure, I can't remember - but now we must go through each one. Also, to be fair, there's tax receipts buried in some of them in case we ever get audited. Gotta go - there's some kind of a riot going on out in the parking lot.
A 2002 Mayo clinic research found that optimistic people reduced their chance of early death by 50% as compared to their pessimistic counterparts. Another good reason for us to think about our attitudes, which I am having a hard time with because Scott is out of town again. SOme genius in DC thought it would be good to use HUmmers in motorcades, purchased a dozen of them, then learned they couldn't be armored. Scott's boss in LA finds out there are a bunch of Hummers sitting around, decides he wants one, and sends Scott and some other guy to drive it back here. Another example of TOTAL government waste - not only the cost of the vehicle and transporting it back to LA, but Scott says that he has several investigations going on and he just had to drop everthing for this stupid errand. And Jude is sick again, but I'm trying really hard to be optimistic. At least it's 70 and sunny, not that we can go out and enjoy it.
not to mention the fact that most people who see him driving the hummer will think 'what a dick'. at least, that's what i usually think when i see them.
I think that too. I don't really know why, but I despise Hummers. There is more to it than just the gas-guzzling, but they really elicit a very negative reaction from me.
Anyone have any advice? Jude has had a low grade fever (100-101) for about 24 hours. He has no other symptoms except that he is a little irritable and he didn't sleep well last night. Should I call the pediatrician?
Give it another day, give him some Tylenol, put a hat on him and go outside and enjoy it. There's no reason a sick kid HAS to stay inside, even if it's cool out. He might feel better and the sunshine will make you both feel happier. Hummers suck.
No. I would wait. I never treat a fever unless it hits 102+ degrees. Of course, if they seem in pain or unable to sleep...I will. If he still has a fever after 3 days...then, I would make a phone call. :-)
I am always weary of giving a bath when my kids get a fever...don't wanna have them catch a chill and have the fever creep upwards.
Eli and Liam are TOTAL fever kids. It was nothing for them to hit 103+ when they get sick. A year, or two, ago Eli had a fever of 105. I called the, "on call Doc," and he chewed me out for being concerned. Told me that kids get fevers...Mom's worry too much...kids don't have seizures bc of high fevers...and, I should wait it out. Jerk. Turned out Eli had something...can't remember what it was. I just remember the poopy Doctor. :-<>
More sirens. I'm not scared. I'm optimistic. Actually, they won't cut into the soap operas to cover the fire, so it can't be too bad. I think the worst of it is over. The DNR and the EPA are on hand to protect us. I've been jumping on this blog every 15 minutes because I'm doing drudgery and I hate it. Now I have to go shopping )it's for work, honest) so if you don't hear from me again today it's not because Council Bluffs was consumed in the blaze.
yes, i think we'll go for a walk since he won't take a nap anyway. I'm just a little wary because about 2 weeks ago all 3 of us got hit with a very short-lived, but terrible flu. Honestly, we were all vomitting about every 30 minutes for about 6 hours. Terrible, but at least it passed quickly.
Em, give him lots of fluids and frozen juice popsickles. Whenever Ryan is out of town I do something special with the kids like go out to eat or to the zoo cuz I feel like we deserve a treat even if it costs a little money. And I shouldn't be stuck inside doing dishes all weekend, or whatever. Take Jude for a walk on the beach, then put him down for a nap and order in. And do something really naughty like internet shop all afternoon. Christmas is coming, you need to start anyway, right?
Joe, I just wasted 7 minutes of my life looking at pictures of strangers flipping off hummers. Thanks. Don't tell Ryan you have a recliner, I'll never hear the end of it. He thinks he needs one too.
What's with the fire? Do you guys have to evacuate C.B.? Evacuate to my house for the weekend.
What is it with guys and recliners? I'll admit they are comfortble, but the couch is comfy too. If we had the space, I am sure Scott would make us buy one.
Grace, thanks for all the good advice and good ideas. I think I will get some shopping done. Jude just went down for a nap.
I am sure all of you may think that I am being silly about Jude's condition, but it's just difficult when it's your first kid and you have no friends or family around. I usually do a pretty good job of keeping an even keel but sometimes I just am not sure what to do. Anyway, thanks everyone!
I have been wondering what foie gras is because it seems to get talked about a lot and was disgusted to find that it comes from force-fed goose livers. IT's not the livers that disgusts me, it is the manner in which the goose is forced to eat so much to make the liver good and fat and buttery tasting. Chicago has made it illegal to serve foie gras.
There was a revolt by the resturants in Chicago to the fois gras regulation. The day that it became applicable many resturants ran foie gras dishes as the special in disregard for the new law. This went even to far as Lou Malnotti's offering a Foie Gras deep dish pizza.
We got a letter today on our door saying that the owner and two other people are going to come into every apartment tomorrow. I called to see what it was for, and the secretary told me two men asked to see every apartment. I'm pretty sure the two men are two cops because this crazy guy has been trying to live in one of my neighbor's apartments for the last few months. I finally saw some undercover cops arresting him this week.
Too bad no one will be home when they come, but I'm guessing something interesting will happen.
Emily & who ever cares to read, I have raised my children, "out of town," from my family and friends. It is and was hard. :-( Particularly, when they were really young.
I relied upon my sister a lot. Called her with all sorts of questions...big and small. I remember when Eli was 3+ I asked her if it was, "okay," for him to use a pillow yet. She said, "Yah! Of course!" I said, "Well, thanks for telling me!"
In honor of Eli's Birthday Blog Spot...I will do some parental bragging. :-)
Eli has been asked to participate in a student talent search called B.E.S.T.S.
Blenin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search
It is based upon his ITBS test scores and put on by the University of Iowa. He will be taking a test in late February called Explore. It is for grades 4-6 and is an 8th grade level test on english, mathematics, reading and science. I think this test is similar, in nature, to an ACT.
Of course, this testing is optional and parents are warned that it can be stressful for young students and therfore, they may not do as well as expected. Eli is pumped and very excited about taking the test. His first question was, "Are they gonna give me money for College? Can we have a celebration?" Of course, partying is in his mind on the heels of his Birthday! :-)
Go Eli, Go! :-)
To counteract this bragging I will say that Eli still gags at the sight of corn...has never had a hamburger..and, his only vegetable intake is ketchup.
Come on, Tom. These days Rummy is always either irritated or scared, or reminiscing about the good old days when he worked for Nixon and the campaigns were REALLY dirty.
Tom...I "relish" it when they "beet" up on poor Rummy...and make him look like an angry mr. "potato" head...he's such a "hot dog" and begs the "squash"ing they give him...I can't wait for someone to "bean" him! Anyone hungry?
Actually I agree with O'Reilly more than I would have thought, especially about snobbish liberals or smug, holier-than-thou conservatives. But he's mean and it influences some of his political opinions (and mean is usually going to slant someone's politics toward "I've got mine, screw you") and in his attacks he panders to the junkyard dog in all of us as much as any other media type.
I went to our Democratic Central Comm. meeting last night...speaker was from the Co. Election Office, she said that typically this time before the election, absentee ballot request are 2-1 republican over the dems...this time there are 18,000 requests, 12,000 democrats, 4,000 republicans, 2,000 other party! Can't wait for ELECTION NIGHT!
Read "All the President's Men." Rumsfeld started crying when he thought he was going down with the big dogs. Weeny, slimy, amoral bullyboy. He makes Cheney look like Santa Claus.
On a lighter note...what are your kids (or you) going to go as on Halloween? Or if you could dress up, what would your costume be? Stevo's nephew Nate is hanging a leaf from the bill of his cap and going to a party as a leaf-blower. Martha Stewart suggested putting a lampshade on your head and wearing a box to look like a piece of furniture and going as "one nightstand."
Emily, nobody thinks you're being silly about Jude. Most of us have had the experience of being alone with a sick kid and just not knowing when you should call the doctor. And besides, we're all full of more advice than anyone would ever want to listen to. I love telling people what they should do. (In child-rearing, most of the time, it's "nothing,")
Tom, I know you don't support animal cruelty. That was a bad joke. Sorry.
What if O'Reilly was a woman? You know that you would think female OReilly was a bitch. So, if he's not mean, let's just agree that he's a bitch.
I'm leaving the house for about an hour now; can't wait to read when I come back.
Oh, and Jude is doing much better. I think the fever is gone, but he looks terrible. BIg bags under his eyes. And mine. I don't need any Haloween makeup. scary
Hmmm. I'll have to watch him again sometime. I usually am gone when he's on. But he sort of has an attack-dog thing going on. Does he ever say anything nice about anyone? Does he ever believe that anyone is motivated by good? Or does he only add to the disenchantment and cynicism? You're either putting out positive or negative vibes. (Oh, by the way, Rumsfeld's not so bad. He's not as bad as Hitler.)
Eli and Liam are going as scary guys called, "Scream." They have scary white, stretched out, screaming masks...black, hooded capes and machete's that have real-live blood (inside the blade) that sloshes around when you wave it about!
Nancy-That's great about Eli. I'm gonna wear Joe's school clothes and go out as a Seton student. Tonite's the last game of the regular season. They play West Bend-Mallard. Last week Joe also was the "Lott's Creek Home Improvement Hammer of the game" for a hit on the other team's QB.
Why did Bill get so upset that the Dixie Chicks criticized the pres and the war? Doesn't he embrace one's right to free speech? I am so tired of people accusing those who oppose the war as being unpatriotic or that they don't support the troops. The very name of the Patriot Act is a paradox.
Hey Everybody. Don't forget to turn your clocks back this weekend.
Here is some good news:
WASHINGTON, DC—Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman announced Monday that the country's seven-month-long effort to conserve sunshine has resulted in the largest national daylight surplus since October 2005.
"We have built up over 200 hours of this precious, life-giving resource," said Bodman, noting that "the sun's rays are not going to last forever." "We have decided it would be most prudent not to squander this valuable daylight by distributing it to Americans, instead suggesting that they all just wake up a little earlier."
Bodman said the surplus will be stored in the Strategic Daylight Reserve—a system of opaque, sealed-off underground tanks located in Arizona—and only tapped in the case of the sun burning out or a particularly rainy afternoon.
The (favorable, mind you!)comparison to Hitler was made in jest, to show how positive I can be, not spewing negativity out into the world, man. All these negative vibes, man, they just impede the flow. Peace out.
Rosie is coming back. She did a great job on a few episodes of Nip/Tuck and there are talks of a spin off for her character. She was great.
I'm a little embarrassed to say I will Little Red Riddinghood and Andy is going to be the wolf dressed as a grandma. I wanted to go as Hugh Heffner, though, and have Andy be the bunny. He wouldn't do it.
Council Bluffs was also on the Today Show! A two second blurb about the fire.
Rosie is coming back. She did a great job on a few episodes of Nip/Tuck and there are talks of a spin off for her character. She was great.
I'm a little embarrassed to say I will Little Red Riddinghood and Andy is going to be the wolf dressed as a grandma. I wanted to go as Hugh Heffner, though, and have Andy be the bunny. He wouldn't do it.
Council Bluffs was also on the Today Show! A two second blurb about the fire.
And I don't like what Madonna does in her shows, but even if she didn't do the crucifixion thing, she would still be selling out big venues for her shows. And maybe, just maybe she adopted a kid because she wants to help a kid who wouldn't otherwise have a chance and she has the means to do so. IT's not her fault the media latches on to celebrity.
Hi, Mary just called me from her car and she's headed up to Whittemore and plans to go to the game tonight, so you should all get together and make a party of it (and watch Joe4 shred quarterbacks). Sounds like fun. Nip/Tuck. My favorite secret vice. Not one redeeming virtuous character. Even the "nice" guy is bad. Ellen, you're too young to watch it. We're headed to Topeka and thence to Manhattan to watch Iowa State force Kansas State to score 1.25 fewer points than usual. We're taking Joe a dryer (Stevo's quote: "We just have to run a gas line. Nothing to it.") We'll be back sometime before Christmas. Go GHS!
Wow! What a bunch of smarties! Also, Happy Birthday to Steve and ELi. What great picatures.
Tom, your boyfriend, Bill, is on Oprah today. Oprah said she was surprised he came on the show and he said, "What are you crazy? I'm going to sell 100,000 books!" He's talking about the war in America between what he terms traditionalists and secular progressives. He says that one can not fall in the middle you are either one or the other.
Hey, going back to that issue about Iraqui forces and benchmarks... I get on military.com a lot because after each news stry you can enter a discussion forum mostly visited by vets. I've read a lot of comments from guys back from Iraq who say the Iraqi police are completely worthless, unless they're Kurds from the northern provinces, who are motivated to hunt down Sunni's and Shi'ites. The rest (especially around Baghdad) are totally tribal and have loyalty only to their village or province, no notion of a nation of Iraq. One guy told about how the Iraqi's were assigned a gate to guard, with concertina wire stretching across in both directions. When the U.S. Marines came back an hour later, the concerina wire was gone, and the Iraqi's just shrugged. They're pretty sure it was used to fortify insurgent positions. The Iraqi security guys are playing both sides of the field.
Murtha is on "Face the Nation" right now... Garrigan won! It was a lot of fun, Mom and Dad have reserved seats (from Gala) there's a big sign of the press box says JOE AND MARY STRAUB reserved seats...it's cool. Joe4 had a great game, his name was announced a few times after good tackles, it's fun. Lots of Seton kids running around, Betty was there with a friend, she came up and sat with us for awhile. We went to Sarah's after the game.
Just blew in from Topeka. That was good news about Garrigan! Installation of gas lines anf dryer went OK, but then the furnace wouldn't relight - ran to Home Depot at 7:30 PM for new thermocouple and light bulb for license plate (got stopped by a very polite Kansas state trooper on the way down) so we stayed over another night. You all know about the sad result of the K State/Ia State game. The Iowa State fans were a little dot of red in a sea of purple, but we had dancing twin farm boys. The elections in Kansas are even more cutthroat than here (except for the incumbent woman Democrat governor, who's taking the high road) but more entertaining, with ten-year-old sex scandals, etc. Joe's place is very nice and laid-back, simple and comfortable, very Joe. There's a little strip of grass between his and his neighbor's driveways, and Sunday afternoon exactly half of it was totally leaf-free. Funny.
130 comments:
Oh my Goodness! I had twins? I thought I only HAD one?! I only HAVE one! Oh well, one is cheaper than two. Of course...I have two. Hmm. Well, cheaper than three, then! :-<> :-)
Happy Birthday Eli Cash! You are an amazing son! I love you!!! :-)
Happy Birthday Steve! You are, "smokin' hot!"
Hey...whadup with Betty squeazin' in on another week on the Blog? Skooch over! (ha,ha)
Eli Eli walla walla be-li
Stevo Steveo hubba hubba mevo
Happy birthday.
The only rhymes I can make up in ten seconds or less
Hey Joe,
How's that drywalling coming?
Eli gets two pictures because he is twice as cool. I also want him to grow up and become a mobster with the nickname "Two Times".
Happy birthday Eli and Stevo! Hope you have a great day.
Eli, what treats did you bring to school? We can only bring health, prepackaged ones here. It sucks.
Lots of sugarless gum given out.
Monica
Boy, Stevo looks young for 55! He is taking off work today to do whatever he wants. Here's what he wants to do: take in his leafblower because this is the last day on the warranty, fix Molly's dishwasher, take a walk (or a nap,) have a birthday dinner of roast chicken and roast duck (because he couldn't decide), a "big mound" of Brussels sprouts and pierogis, and pumpkin pie. He really doesn't want to do the leafblower thing, but it's the last day. Happy Birthday, you Polish Procrastinator.
Happy Birthday, Eli! If you don't believe your dad, take a look at your Uncle Stevo. He woke up with that on his 35th birthday.
Gaah. Healthy prepackaged snacks for a birthday? Why bother? Someone should just break the rules and send in a bunch of deep-fried Twinkies. Come on, Monica. Do it!
My list of bad birthday treats:
sugarless gum
air-popped popcorn
sugarfree Jello shooters
celery sticks with peanut butter
protein bars
fruit
Hydroxycut
A kid in Liam's class (2nd Grade) brought toothpick skewers-o-grapes and cheese squares. Liam loved it! I suggested that he do the same for his birthday and he said, "No way Mom, I can't be a copier!"
Try a different color grapes, cheese. Copy... is overrated!
This is unbelievable! Two MORE incredibly good looking, smart, engaging persons born in October. Will it never end? It is astounding to consider the disproportionate and sheer quantity of talent, beauty, and goodwill released to the world by the October birthdayees.
Lisa-thanks for asking. The drywall is going up slowly. So slowly, in fact, that no drywall is yet up. It's ready to go up, tho, the room is cleared and vacuumed and insulation packed in. You know how these dreaded projects (when you're too cheap to have a contractor do it) drag on and on. Drywalling is pretty easy and quick but, as with all projects, it seems like you have to do a dozen other things before you get to the actual drywalling.
OK-A randomly timed question: Who has projects currently going on, what's the project and how long have you been at it. I'm counting the jobs that are "99% done" (you know, you completely re-did the house but never got around to finishing the molding, for instance).
Pat- did you breathlessly wait to read this post? Did you enjoy it? I put it here instead of on the other blog.
Cathy-how's your upstairs bathroom coming?
I have painted my dining room and kitchen abut have to do the trim and touch up crap. I expect to not get those done until Feb/March when spring fever hits.
I just hired a guy to trim my giant oaks outside? Tom-I wish you lived closer.
Monica
I am currently painting the trim on the upstaris landing. This involves 7 paneled doors as well as (eventually) removing paint from the door handle plates. I did finaly get the shellac off the screws of the hook on one door and so was able to unscrew it and remove it. I filled the holes with spackling instead of wood putty (since there was none in the house) and Randy is disguisted with me. At this point, what ever is fastest is my motto.
By the way... who received Diane Sender's do you speak Yankee or Southern test? I was surprised to find I am actually more Yankee than she.
$200 a tree.
I have yet to hang my pictures in my place. It will be 3 years in December.
Some of the rational/hindrances include:
"I don't have any picture hangers"; "I can see them fine on the floor leaning up against the wall. The only reason to hang them is to show off to other people. If you can see them fine on the floor you don't need to hang them"; "I don't know the rules for putting holes in the wall at my apartment"; "I don't know where I want to place them, the smoke detector is in the way.", and; countless others.
Yes, all these posts meet my high standards.
I have no projects outstanding other than the project of creating a lifestyle to which I am more suitably adapted. That of leisure.
This project is moving quite slowly.
Happy birthday to everyone always. October birthday celebrants are almost as handsome and charming as their March counterparts.
P
Hear Hear
We currently have the outside project going on... we hire it out. Its pressure washing the house, painting the shutters and painting the deck. the helpers were scheduled for Saturday, never showed. Then Monday the called to say, they will be out at 10am. They finally showed up 2pm. they washed the outside and hasn't showed up today(its 2) This is so... frustrating. Service sucks out here!!! I am not getting worked up about this today, I figure i paid them 10% so far and I can cancel if tomorrow iits a no show. And I got the house pressure washed for half the cost.
Erin
Thanks Tom, all but one are hanging over the house or garage.
There are more further away from the house that I'm waithing to do.
Monica
Today the kids got out early. WooHoo! They got out early last year on Eli's birthday too! We are taking Betty and the boys to Scuffham(sp?) Farm to pick out pumpkins.
I asked Eli what he would like for his birthday dinner and he said, "Pizza Ranch!" Last week, Betty chose, "The Chrome Country Inn!" What they heck is up with that! Where have we gone wrong?
Everyone knows the Jayjack's win the oldest project contest. Our basement kitchenette (?) was never finished. It was first started 9 1/2 years ago when Catherine was born. When I moved out three years ago, the birthday boy put a very old computer on the desk in my room, since I wasn't going to be there. It was waiting to get moved somewhere else or thrown away. It's still there.
And as of last weekend, the bathroom cabinets are still disassembled, but painted, in the living room and the lone decor is the remains of torn off wallpaper.
i have a container of spackle and a putty knife on the tv stand in my living room next to the gouges that my dog put in the wall by the door. it's been sitting there for 1 1/2 years.
This is very, "Art Otteson," of all of you. (ha,ha)
There is absolutely nothing wrong with food at the Chrome. As far as truck-stop food goes (hot turkey sandwiches, liver and onions, breakfasts, fried chicken dinners, etc) the Chrome's about as good as it gets.
My bathroom walls and ceiling were plastered last spring or winter and we still haven't painted. One light switch cover has been put back on. The other is still a gaping hole with a light switch suspended in the middle of it. The mirror is sitting on the sink leaning against the wall, and there are no towel racks.
Happy Birthday Eli and Dad!
Reuben. i had a reuben at the chrome about 10 years ago and still remember it.
mmmmmmmmmm.
reuben.
ATTENTION IOWA STATE FANS:
Sennca Wallace will be starting for the Seahawks this week in Kansas City.
The reuben was created 5 blocks from my house, many years ago, at the Blackstone Hotel.
Is that a pic of Eli and Eli or Eli and Liam?
The Jayjack bathroom cupboard project is very impressive! Cathy, you should take a photo.
I'm tempted to paint my ceramuc tile kitchen floor sort of reddish orange..I think there is a product that will work, does anyone know?
Erin, did the "helpers" ever show?
Djon't paint your tile. They did it in our house and it looks ugly.
Here's the deal on kid's birthdays: Last year Mary asked for chicken paramesan (chicken spaghetti) I made sauce, pounded chicken breasts, browned them, stuck them in the oven with a bit of sauce and lots of cheese, boiled the spaghetti, etc. She took two bites and wanted her presents. This year I encouraged McDonald's play land.
Tom can you purchase good booze at cost? I'm thinking of in law xmas gifts.
p
If painting yur tile works let me know. I've been thinking about painting my tile backsplash in the kitchen. I asked the lady at the paint store and she said there are special primers and paints for it.
Monica
Hope everyone's birthday was good. Did Stevo enjoy his duck? I love duck.
Monica
Desmond - please see the post at 9:03 yesterday.
Eli and Eli.
We do not get booze, "at cost." We do get a very small discount though.
We have Ruebens...and, Rachels!
The Chrome is fine...for breakfast.
Art Otteson was our neighbor growing up. There are many funny stories regarding Art Otteson and his, "home repair," escapades.
Story #1:
Art was fixing his roof one year and came down for dinner before the work was complete. He never went up again. His roof was half done and his hammer and box of nails laid atop his roof for twenty years.
Mary, the helpers didn't show. Tomorrow its expected to rain, I bet I'll get a call.
Happy Birthday to Steve and Eli!
Erin
Art Otteson was a Butcher.
Art Otteson is dead.
Art Otteson's kids loved to eat those big marshmallowy circus peanuts...ALL the TIME...like popcorn!
And you say you are not a poet.
Well, maybe a little. :-)
Whenever we have a home project that has sat on the back burners for too long...I say to my husband, "Ah man, we're starting to look like Art Otteson." He knows exactly what I mean and gets 'er done! Art may be gone but his legacy lives on.
What is going on with that HUGE oil fire in CB? Everyone is ok I assume?
Well, Steve and Cathy are out there fighting the fire, but, Steve accidently poured polish Rectified spirits instead of water...and he's currently in a holding cell...he was still soo happy from the duck and didn't notice!
It's an oil company up in flames on the edge of CB...big big fire.
As I type...my cleaning ladies (Molly and her friend Nesha) are painting the bathroom cabinet doors. They want to get into the living room to clean it and have never been able to because the doors are laid out on card tables all around the living room. For anyone who has never had a cleaning lady, get one. You come home from work one day, and everythings vacuumed, dusted, bathrooms cleaned, floors washed and waxed...WOO-HOO!
My award-winning list of unfinished projects includes:
pegboard up all around the garage walls (1 1/2 walls done)
basement kitchenette
basement exercise room
The Box Project (will be done by December)
Painting the trim on the attic dormers. Actually, it's time to paint the whole house again, so maybe we'll get them this time.
baseboard in kitchen
UPSTAIRS BATHROOM
These are just a few of the things, I deleted a bunch of others that need to be done but don't qualify as unfinished because they were never actually started. Mike and Mary and Stevo and I have this amazing thing in common: we both had a vise grip as a shower faucet for about 5 years.
What's the box project?
Oil fire still burning. Big black smoke. It's actually south of town, I never would have known if it weren't on the news.
Dad called this AM - Don's court date is this morning. Say a prayer. His lawyer says the prosecutor has agreed to aggravated misdemeanor instead of felony, but wouldn't drop the burglary charge. Best case scenario: credit for time served, hospitalization for another couple months then maybe a halfway house for a while.
The box project is emptying out every box that we have thrown crap into for the last 30 years and then been afraid to throw away (My passport's in one of them, I know!) They're all in the dining room lining the walls, and filing cabinets, etc, and we're going through them one at a time, but so far very slo-o-o-w-ly but we have to step it up because I'm not going to have them there at Christmastime, I'll just burn them all, I swear.
I'd locate your passport...end the search...and, drive 'em over to the south end of town!
M.E. - I would paint tile but I would be afraid to paint tile that people are going to walk on. On the other hand, if it's paint it or replace it eventually, what have you got ot lose?
Diane Sender - put your quiz on the blog! I want to see it too!
Stevo was about to throw away a box once and found two photos in it - priceless, irreplaceable ones I'm sure, I can't remember - but now we must go through each one. Also, to be fair, there's tax receipts buried in some of them in case we ever get audited. Gotta go - there's some kind of a riot going on out in the parking lot.
watching all the political ads lately if struck me that politicians are the ultimate reality tv contestants.
I think you're right, Tom. I think the news media are jinxing us (Democrats). I wish they'd shut up.
When I was outside quelling the riot in the parking lot,I heard a faraway explosion and now you can smell the smoke from the oil fire.
Are you scared?
A 2002 Mayo clinic research found that optimistic people reduced their chance of early death by 50% as compared to their pessimistic counterparts. Another good reason for us to think about our attitudes, which I am having a hard time with because Scott is out of town again. SOme genius in DC thought it would be good to use HUmmers in motorcades, purchased a dozen of them, then learned they couldn't be armored. Scott's boss in LA finds out there are a bunch of Hummers sitting around, decides he wants one, and sends Scott and some other guy to drive it back here. Another example of TOTAL government waste - not only the cost of the vehicle and transporting it back to LA, but Scott says that he has several investigations going on and he just had to drop everthing for this stupid errand. And Jude is sick again, but I'm trying really hard to be optimistic. At least it's 70 and sunny, not that we can go out and enjoy it.
not to mention the fact that most people who see him driving the hummer will think 'what a dick'. at least, that's what i usually think when i see them.
I think that too. I don't really know why, but I despise Hummers. There is more to it than just the gas-guzzling, but they really elicit a very negative reaction from me.
Anyone have any advice? Jude has had a low grade fever (100-101) for about 24 hours. He has no other symptoms except that he is a little irritable and he didn't sleep well last night. Should I call the pediatrician?
Give it another day, give him some Tylenol, put a hat on him and go outside and enjoy it. There's no reason a sick kid HAS to stay inside, even if it's cool out. He might feel better and the sunshine will make you both feel happier. Hummers suck.
Take him to the ocean - it's therapeutic.
and stop giving him drinks with ice in them, and stop bathing every day!
No. I would wait. I never treat a fever unless it hits 102+ degrees. Of course, if they seem in pain or unable to sleep...I will. If he still has a fever after 3 days...then, I would make a phone call. :-)
I am always weary of giving a bath when my kids get a fever...don't wanna have them catch a chill and have the fever creep upwards.
Eli and Liam are TOTAL fever kids. It was nothing for them to hit 103+ when they get sick. A year, or two, ago Eli had a fever of 105. I called the, "on call Doc," and he chewed me out for being concerned. Told me that kids get fevers...Mom's worry too much...kids don't have seizures bc of high fevers...and, I should wait it out. Jerk. Turned out Eli had something...can't remember what it was. I just remember the poopy Doctor. :-<>
I would be embarrassed to say that I have a, "hummer."
More sirens. I'm not scared. I'm optimistic.
Actually, they won't cut into the soap operas to cover the fire, so it can't be too bad. I think the worst of it is over. The DNR and the EPA are on hand to protect us.
I've been jumping on this blog every 15 minutes because I'm doing drudgery and I hate it. Now I have to go shopping )it's for work, honest) so if you don't hear from me again today it's not because Council Bluffs was consumed in the blaze.
Really - go outside. Go get an ice cream or something.
yes, i think we'll go for a walk since he won't take a nap anyway. I'm just a little wary because about 2 weeks ago all 3 of us got hit with a very short-lived, but terrible flu. Honestly, we were all vomitting about every 30 minutes for about 6 hours. Terrible, but at least it passed quickly.
thanks for all the suggestions.
it must have been photos of me stevo found.
Em, give him lots of fluids and frozen juice popsickles. Whenever Ryan is out of town I do something special with the kids like go out to eat or to the zoo cuz I feel like we deserve a treat even if it costs a little money. And I shouldn't be stuck inside doing dishes all weekend, or whatever. Take Jude for a walk on the beach, then put him down for a nap and order in. And do something really naughty like internet shop all afternoon. Christmas is coming, you need to start anyway, right?
Cathy, I see you were not on your terrorist watch. Was it because of Steve's birthday? Too full from the duck and perogies?
Monica
And buy yourself some fabulous new shoes before Scott returns.
Joe, I just wasted 7 minutes of my life looking at pictures of strangers flipping off hummers. Thanks. Don't tell Ryan you have a recliner, I'll never hear the end of it. He thinks he needs one too.
What's with the fire? Do you guys have to evacuate C.B.? Evacuate to my house for the weekend.
What is it with guys and recliners? I'll admit they are comfortble, but the couch is comfy too. If we had the space, I am sure Scott would make us buy one.
Grace, thanks for all the good advice and good ideas. I think I will get some shopping done. Jude just went down for a nap.
I am sure all of you may think that I am being silly about Jude's condition, but it's just difficult when it's your first kid and you have no friends or family around. I usually do a pretty good job of keeping an even keel but sometimes I just am not sure what to do. Anyway, thanks everyone!
I have been wondering what foie gras is because it seems to get talked about a lot and was disgusted to find that it comes from force-fed goose livers. IT's not the livers that disgusts me, it is the manner in which the goose is forced to eat so much to make the liver good and fat and buttery tasting. Chicago has made it illegal to serve foie gras.
Just say no to foie gras!
There was a revolt by the resturants in Chicago to the fois gras regulation. The day that it became applicable many resturants ran foie gras dishes as the special in disregard for the new law. This went even to far as Lou Malnotti's offering a Foie Gras deep dish pizza.
yeah, some restaurants added it as a 'free extra' and therefore weren't technically charging for it.
I remember what it was like when I had Zane, living in Cali. I called my mom a lot. I worried about everything. Don't feel silly.
I'm getting hungry...
We got a letter today on our door saying that the owner and two other people are going to come into every apartment tomorrow. I called to see what it was for, and the secretary told me two men asked to see every apartment. I'm pretty sure the two men are two cops because this crazy guy has been trying to live in one of my neighbor's apartments for the last few months. I finally saw some undercover cops arresting him this week.
Too bad no one will be home when they come, but I'm guessing something interesting will happen.
Emily & who ever cares to read,
I have raised my children, "out of town," from my family and friends. It is and was hard. :-( Particularly, when they were really young.
I relied upon my sister a lot. Called her with all sorts of questions...big and small. I remember when Eli was 3+ I asked her if it was, "okay," for him to use a pillow yet. She said, "Yah! Of course!" I said, "Well, thanks for telling me!"
Nancw, was it a foie gras pillow?...goose down or nothin, Did she tell you that!
I am fairly optimistic that not all of CB will burn to the ground
any word on Don?
In honor of Eli's Birthday Blog Spot...I will do some parental bragging. :-)
Eli has been asked to participate in a student talent search called B.E.S.T.S.
Blenin-Blank
Exceptional
Student
Talent
Search
It is based upon his ITBS test scores and put on by the University of Iowa. He will be taking a test in late February called Explore. It is for grades 4-6 and is an 8th grade level test on english, mathematics, reading and science. I think this test is similar, in nature, to an ACT.
Of course, this testing is optional and parents are warned that it can be stressful for young students and therfore, they may not do as well as expected. Eli is pumped and very excited about taking the test. His first question was, "Are they gonna give me money for College? Can we have a celebration?" Of course, partying is in his mind on the heels of his Birthday! :-)
Go Eli, Go! :-)
To counteract this bragging I will say that Eli still gags at the sight of corn...has never had a hamburger..and, his only vegetable intake is ketchup.
Correction...Belin-Blank
any word on Don?
Not that we know of.
Don's sentancing is scheduled for Dec. 28 (I think) Spoke to Dad this morning. He and Mom are goint to ND on Nov. 4.
Is Jude still teething?
Mary wants another baby in the family and told me that since there wasn't one in my tummy, we could put one in hers instead.
At least she's not 16 and saying that!
Tom, between supporting animal cruelty and watching Fox news, how do you find time to listen to Rush?
Good luck to Garrigan and Joe tonight! Wish I could be there.
Em how is Jude?
p
Come on, Tom. These days Rummy is always either irritated or scared, or reminiscing about the good old days when he worked for Nixon and the campaigns were REALLY dirty.
Tom...I "relish" it when they "beet" up on poor Rummy...and make him look like an angry mr. "potato" head...he's such a "hot dog" and begs the "squash"ing they give him...I can't wait for someone to "bean" him!
Anyone hungry?
He should watch "My Name Is Earl." Karma's gettin'im.
Don will probably spend a couple or three more months at St. Peter. About a halfway house, I don'tknow.
Actually I agree with O'Reilly more than I would have thought, especially about snobbish liberals or smug, holier-than-thou conservatives. But he's mean and it influences some of his political opinions (and mean is usually going to slant someone's politics toward "I've got mine, screw you") and in his attacks he panders to the junkyard dog in all of us as much as any other media type.
I went to our Democratic Central Comm. meeting last night...speaker was from the Co. Election Office, she said that typically this time before the election, absentee ballot request are 2-1 republican over the dems...this time there are 18,000 requests, 12,000 democrats, 4,000 republicans, 2,000 other party! Can't wait for ELECTION NIGHT!
Thanks for the compliment Tom, but I'm never manipulated by fashion! heehee
Read "All the President's Men." Rumsfeld started crying when he thought he was going down with the big dogs. Weeny, slimy, amoral bullyboy. He makes Cheney look like Santa Claus.
On a lighter note...what are your kids (or you) going to go as on Halloween? Or if you could dress up, what would your costume be? Stevo's nephew Nate is hanging a leaf from the bill of his cap and going to a party as a leaf-blower. Martha Stewart suggested putting a lampshade on your head and wearing a box to look like a piece of furniture and going as "one nightstand."
Emily, nobody thinks you're being silly about Jude. Most of us have had the experience of being alone with a sick kid and just not knowing when you should call the doctor. And besides, we're all full of more advice than anyone would ever want to listen to. I love telling people what they should do. (In child-rearing, most of the time, it's "nothing,")
Tom, I know you don't support animal cruelty. That was a bad joke. Sorry.
What if O'Reilly was a woman? You know that you would think female OReilly was a bitch. So, if he's not mean, let's just agree that he's a bitch.
I'm leaving the house for about an hour now; can't wait to read when I come back.
Oh, and Jude is doing much better. I think the fever is gone, but he looks terrible. BIg bags under his eyes. And mine. I don't need any Haloween makeup. scary
Hmmm. I'll have to watch him again sometime. I usually am gone when he's on. But he sort of has an attack-dog thing going on. Does he ever say anything nice about anyone? Does he ever believe that anyone is motivated by good? Or does he only add to the disenchantment and cynicism? You're either putting out positive or negative vibes. (Oh, by the way, Rumsfeld's not so bad. He's not as bad as Hitler.)
Eli and Liam are going as scary guys called, "Scream." They have scary white, stretched out, screaming masks...black, hooded capes and machete's that have real-live blood (inside the blade) that sloshes around when you wave it about!
Gone are the days of racecar drivers and firemen!
Congratulations, Eli on the recognition of your gifted mind. Though not suprising being an October birthday and all.
Nancy-That's great about Eli.
I'm gonna wear Joe's school clothes and go out as a Seton student.
Tonite's the last game of the regular season. They play West Bend-Mallard. Last week Joe also was the "Lott's Creek Home Improvement Hammer of the game" for a hit on the other team's QB.
Hmmm. maybe i should go out as a whorologist. and josh could go as a horologist.
I am going to be an "Average Joe's" dodgeball player.
Bill O'Reily at one point or another has said that each of the following were "through" "done" "no longer relevant" and their careers were over:
Dixie Chicks
Madonna
Rosie O'Donnel
Bill Maher
Al Frankin
And here is a clip of Bill O'Riley comparing Hitler to Jack Murtha (although not by name):
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/11/30/oreilly-murtha-hitler/
I have never really liked the guy (even before he was big). But I will give him credit for having Triumph the Insult Comic Dog on his show.
Why did Bill get so upset that the Dixie Chicks criticized the pres and the war? Doesn't he embrace one's right to free speech? I am so tired of people accusing those who oppose the war as being unpatriotic or that they don't support the troops. The very name of the Patriot Act is a paradox.
Hey Everybody. Don't forget to turn your clocks back this weekend.
Here is some good news:
WASHINGTON, DC—Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman announced Monday that the country's seven-month-long effort to conserve sunshine has resulted in the largest national daylight surplus since October 2005.
"We have built up over 200 hours of this precious, life-giving resource," said Bodman, noting that "the sun's rays are not going to last forever." "We have decided it would be most prudent not to squander this valuable daylight by distributing it to Americans, instead suggesting that they all just wake up a little earlier."
Bodman said the surplus will be stored in the Strategic Daylight Reserve—a system of opaque, sealed-off underground tanks located in Arizona—and only tapped in the case of the sun burning out or a particularly rainy afternoon.
The (favorable, mind you!)comparison to Hitler was made in jest, to show how positive I can be, not spewing negativity out into the world, man. All these negative vibes, man, they just impede the flow. Peace out.
Bill Maher is mean too.
People having or keeping fame or acclaim or any of our culture's measures of success is irrelevant to how right or wrong they are.
Is there a serious attempt to equate people who think invading Iraq was immoral with people saying, "A few Jews - who cares?"
"Hammer of the Game!" That calls for a trophy!
Thanks Joe3! And, Kudos to you Betty (another October Birthday)who was also invited to participate in the B.E.S.T.S. program!
Eli Cash and Elizabeth Cash Rock! :-)
There must be something in the water...or, maybe it's that good Catholic Education...or, maybe it's me?! Yah think?
Rosie is coming back. She did a great job on a few episodes of Nip/Tuck and there are talks of a spin off for her character. She was great.
I'm a little embarrassed to say I will Little Red Riddinghood and Andy is going to be the wolf dressed as a grandma. I wanted to go as Hugh Heffner, though, and have Andy be the bunny. He wouldn't do it.
Council Bluffs was also on the Today Show! A two second blurb about the fire.
Rosie is coming back. She did a great job on a few episodes of Nip/Tuck and there are talks of a spin off for her character. She was great.
I'm a little embarrassed to say I will Little Red Riddinghood and Andy is going to be the wolf dressed as a grandma. I wanted to go as Hugh Heffner, though, and have Andy be the bunny. He wouldn't do it.
Council Bluffs was also on the Today Show! A two second blurb about the fire.
And I don't like what Madonna does in her shows, but even if she didn't do the crucifixion thing, she would still be selling out big venues for her shows. And maybe, just maybe she adopted a kid because she wants to help a kid who wouldn't otherwise have a chance and she has the means to do so. IT's not her fault the media latches on to celebrity.
Barfonna Madonna.
Hi, Mary just called me from her car and she's headed up to Whittemore and plans to go to the game tonight, so you should all get together and make a party of it (and watch Joe4 shred quarterbacks). Sounds like fun.
Nip/Tuck. My favorite secret vice. Not one redeeming virtuous character. Even the "nice" guy is bad. Ellen, you're too young to watch it.
We're headed to Topeka and thence to Manhattan to watch Iowa State force Kansas State to score 1.25 fewer points than usual. We're taking Joe a dryer (Stevo's quote: "We just have to run a gas line. Nothing to it.") We'll be back sometime before Christmas.
Go GHS!
My kids have also been invited to take those test. It's our superior Straub intelligence and their mother's October birthday.
Staubs Rock!!!!
Monica
Wow! What a bunch of smarties!
Also, Happy Birthday to Steve and ELi. What great picatures.
Tom, your boyfriend, Bill, is on Oprah today. Oprah said she was surprised he came on the show and he said, "What are you crazy? I'm going to sell 100,000 books!" He's talking about the war in America between what he terms traditionalists and secular progressives. He says that one can not fall in the middle you are either one or the other.
Congrats to all you moms with smartie-pants kids.
Hey, going back to that issue about Iraqui forces and benchmarks... I get on military.com a lot because after each news stry you can enter a discussion forum mostly visited by vets. I've read a lot of comments from guys back from Iraq who say the Iraqi police are completely worthless, unless they're Kurds from the northern provinces, who are motivated to hunt down Sunni's and Shi'ites. The rest (especially around Baghdad) are totally tribal and have loyalty only to their village or province, no notion of a nation of Iraq. One guy told about how the Iraqi's were assigned a gate to guard, with concertina wire stretching across in both directions. When the U.S. Marines came back an hour later, the concerina wire was gone, and the Iraqi's just shrugged. They're pretty sure it was used to fortify insurgent positions. The Iraqi security guys are playing both sides of the field.
Hey Pepperloin,
Glocks are for sissies. Real terrorist hunters carry a sig sauer. I'll work on that ear for you. Any other body parts acceptable?
So, what happened at the Garrigan game last night?
Murtha is on "Face the Nation" right now...
Garrigan won! It was a lot of fun, Mom and Dad have reserved seats (from Gala) there's a big sign of the press box says JOE AND MARY STRAUB reserved seats...it's cool. Joe4 had a great game, his name was announced a few times after good tackles, it's fun. Lots of Seton kids running around, Betty was there with a friend, she came up and sat with us for awhile. We went to Sarah's after the game.
Just blew in from Topeka. That was good news about Garrigan! Installation of gas lines anf dryer went OK, but then the furnace wouldn't relight - ran to Home Depot at 7:30 PM for new thermocouple and light bulb for license plate (got stopped by a very polite Kansas state trooper on the way down) so we stayed over another night. You all know about the sad result of the K State/Ia State game. The Iowa State fans were a little dot of red in a sea of purple, but we had dancing twin farm boys.
The elections in Kansas are even more cutthroat than here (except for the incumbent woman Democrat governor, who's taking the high road) but more entertaining, with ten-year-old sex scandals, etc.
Joe's place is very nice and laid-back, simple and comfortable, very Joe. There's a little strip of grass between his and his neighbor's driveways, and Sunday afternoon exactly half of it was totally leaf-free. Funny.
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