Hey Happy Birthday Joe an Nance. Hope you stay warm on your birthday. It's cold here.
Some employees bought their boss a gift for his birthday. Before opening the gift, the boss shook it slightly, and noticed that it was wet in the corner. Touching his finger to the wet spot and tasting it, he asked, "A bottle of wine?" His employees replied, "No." Again, he touched his finger to the box and tasted the liquid. "A bottle of scotch?" "His employees replied again, "No." Finally the boss asked, "I give up. What is it?" His workers responded, "A puppy."
In addition to the two birthday of two stellar individuals, I'd like to announce the addition of a blog contributor, another stellar individual. Molly has offered her services. If you look on the right side of the blog, you'll see her listed under Contributors. p
Happy Birthday to Nance and Joe4! Have fun, but not too much!
It's offical, we're leaving HB March 1st and driving with 2 kids and 2 cats to Minnesota. The baby will be about 4-5 weeks old then, still sleping most of the time, so hopefully it won't be too bad, except of course stopping every 2 hours to feed him.
I think we've decided on a name and I'll give you a hint. In the Old Testament, he was one of Eli's assistants. (At least that's it said on the paper sent home from Jude's school. They send home a little lesson plan each week to let the parents know what they talked about in "chapel".) So, who knows their Old Testament?
Is that true? I LOVE Sam Guilliatt. However, if you ever have a third boy...I still really like Eli Guilliatt...I think it looks cool. Hey Eli! Whatcha doin' on the blog? You should be in class...sigh.
Thought I'd forget broke out in a sweat my fingers are wet! I tried to let you know. I get busy signals yet... Tried to stop by and met a Trooper whose ticket took all my money, I bet. Oh well...what did you get?
Of course, each Birthday is better than the last as each year I love my family more. Well...perhaps, not better, but uniquely and very especially different. This morning, all four of the males in my life...yes, Guinness too...awoke me from my slumber...with smiles, kisses and Birthday wishes. All morning long everything was, "Birthday." Birthday cereal, birthday vitamins, birthday coffee, birthday dishes, birthday uniforms and birthday, "Bye, have a great day at school and be good Christian soldiers," (as I wave from the drive).
The boys came home with a rouse to distract me from their Birthday preparations...which included signing cards and putting away presents and dessert. As Liam feigned illness and I tended to his pretend ailments (which he was very good at, much to my chagrin)...Dad and my eldest took care of my Birthday surprises.
Dad made the boys dinner, which consisted of popcorn chicken, tater-tots and apple sauce. Happy boys...thanks Dad. Simultaneously, he made chicken and steak on the grill, roasted baby golden potatoes, baked breadsticks and blanched asparagus. Once dinner was settled in our tummies...the 3-men-o-my-life, sneakily prepared my Birthday sugar-free-walnut-banana cake...adorned with inextinguishable candles and others that spelled, "c-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e." They sang Happy Birthday as I wished for good health, happiness and faith for the year to come. Unfortunately, my wishes may not come true as I was rendered incapable of blowing out my, "trick," candles.
Lastly, the gifts. I opened the cards first as that is what a polite person does. The cards glistened with words of praise and love. The gift bag was carefully selected, by Eli, and danced with brightly colored poke-a-dots...so sweet. My first gift was Liam's idea. A hint I dropped many months ago...he's listening better. A copper colander. Awe...Mommy loves it. :-) The boys selected a beautiful gold ring that was set with my birthstone...something very important to them. They were so proud. Tom selected a gold and amethyst bracelet...very pretty and reminiscent of my Anniversary necklace. Wow...what a perfect evening. The men in my life know what it means to show their love in so many splendid ways.
Currently, the boys are doing their homework, without complaint (Birthday wish.
HAPPY B-DAY NANCE.. STOP..WILL ELABORATE FURTHER LATER..STOP..THE COWS ARE CRYING, THE COWS ARE CRYING, ..STOP..THE MUSTACHE IS BROWN, THE MUSTACHE IS BROWN,,,STOP,,THE TABLE IS ROUND, THE TABLE IS ROUND...STOP
A cautionary tale: A group of youths were mocking Elisha and making fun of his baldness, so Elisha cursed them and a couple of she-bears promptly showed up and tore 42 of them to pieces. Make ye not mockery of those with growing foreheads, for they shall call down curses upon thy heads, and shall rend ye limb from limb.
I know a guy named Asa, he plays on Ryan's football team. He's always happy and smiling, and everyone likes him. They really like saying Asa a lot. He's one of the few guys in the league famously known by his first name.
Grace
I'm famously known as Mrs. Ortega. It makes me feel like Mrs. Cleaver.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Joe Biden is complaining that his foes keep saying he'd be a great secretary of state.
Nothing wrong with that job, he says, but he's running for president. And if he'd be better at foreign policy than his rivals, well, why in the world shouldn't he be president instead of them?
Biden, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is widely expected to be on the short list for secretary of state if one of his Democratic rivals wins the White House. Maybe if a Republican wins, too.
But he said Thursday, speaking at a forum on Iraq: "Under no administration will I accept the job of secretary of state."
A voter had asked the Delaware senator what he would do to restore U.S. credibility in the world.
"That's the president's job," he said. "I know a lot of my opponents out there say I'd be a great secretary of state. Seriously, every one of them. Do you watch any of the debates? 'Joe's right, Joe's right, Joe's right.'"
"I ask you a rhetorical question: Are you prepared to vote for anyone — at this moment in our history — as president who is not capable of being secretary of state? Who among my opponents would you consider appointing secretary of state? Seriously. Think about it."
Mom there is a button-thing at the top that says straight to comment form that will express you to the bottom and you can scroll up if that is more convienent, however I had nothing to do with it:) Grace, you always did remind me of Mrs. Cleaver.
Council Bluffs 8:52 AM 12/01/2007: 33 degrees and rain on top of a solid 1/4 inch layer of ice. Cathy had to call everyone this morning to postpone First Reconcilliation. Also had it posted on local TV stations. Very slick and dangerous to drive (and walk). Local law enforcement advising everyone to stay off roads. Parts of I-80 closed. Welcome to Winter.
6 1/2 inches in Madison. normally by now the driveway and sidewalks have been cleared by the snow removal guys. i hope the landlord didn't forget to renew the contract again (happened 2 years ago). i watched a 4x4 pickup with a blade on front get stuck right in front of my building.
Two hour delay for Algona Schools...woohoo! It works out nicely for Eli as he threw up oodles-o-vomit on Friday night...had a bad case of the die-uh-ree-ah and just began to be, "on the mend," today. Poor baby.
That's strange...Mia had a stomach thing too - she threw up many times and had diarrhea and literally didn't eat for four days. She started looking a little delicate. Then she got better and the other day she pulled up her shirt and showed me she got her little round tummy back.
Here's an interesting story about Huckabee...when he was governor of Arkansas, to make it easier for people who wanted to give him gifts, he and his wife registered just like a bridal couple. All perfectly legal in Arkansas, at least. I can't decide if it was totally tacky and greedy, or if it just arose out of his pragmatic but naive nature coupled with his former preacher-who-got-gifts-all-the-time occupation, but it showed questionable judgement in my opinion. Although I kind of like him. But I'd never vote for him anyway unless he was running against Hitler or something. But a funny story.
In the Republican debate, there was a question about the death penalty basically asking "What would Jesus do?" and none of the morons would answer the question. Mit said, "I would seek His guidance...blah blah blah" Huckabee said< "Jesus would never be stupid enough to run for public office." It was supposed to be funny, but I found all the men to be absolute hypocrites.
Poor Mia. Jude too...or, was it just too much to eat? Yah, I thought Eli would be returning to school. Last night, he ate his first meal (in two days)...however, this morning he couldn't eat. I think it may be MY fault as I set out his vitamin and milk BEFORE his breakfast was ready. He ate his vitamin (sans food) and then, had tummy problems. I tried to get him to eat...saying that a vitamin on an empty stomach can be a problem...but, he just couldn't. He stayed home today.
Someone please remind me why I'm moving to Minnesota. It's 68 and sunny today. We've been looking at houses online and Scott keeps saying, "That looks like a lot of shoveling." I def. see Santa bringing a snowblower some future Christmas.
Emily~ My Father worked at Union Oil for 37 years. Many times, throughout his career, he was offered promotions to cities where their offices were more expansive. Cities such as...LA, Atlanta and Chicago. Often times, my Dad took a lateral position change to ensure that his children were raised in Minnesota...'cuz it's so awesome! Does that help?
I watched the premier of a new miniseries on the sci-fi channel last night called "Tin Man" - an edgy takeoff on the Wizard of Oz story that I thought was going to be good, but I was disappointed. Anyone else see it? I kind of have to see what happens now.
When posting comments please remember that children read the blog too. No lecture intended but I would hope that the blog stays family friendly and adult in attitude, not in content or expression. Sorry if I sound like an old fogey.
i DIDN'T THINK THE BLOG WAS FOR CHILDREN....I MEAN, LET THEM READ POSTs ON THEIR BIRTHDAY...BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S AN ADULT BLOG...ANY THOUGHTS?? m.e.
I'm inclined to agree with Mary. Since we don't all get to see eachother that often, this is the equivalent of sitting around the kitchen table, having a beer and gabbing sans kids.
No disrespect to Stevo and Nance of course, but I think there's nothing wrong with a little PG 13 humour from time to time. Maybe someone could help the younger cousins set up their own blog.
Humor between adults sitting around the kitchen table is not the same as publishing something on the internet that can be read by anyone and that some may find offensive. Nothing wrong with humor on the blog but there is a big difference between humor and questionable language. I also don't mean any disrespect to anyone and I realize that I am only an in-law (out-law?), but I thought the "STRAUB" blog was for all the Straubs. When someone publishes a comment on the blog but does not identify themself is it perhaps because they are embarrassed to do so?
No one is "only an in law". You've been part of our family as long as I can remember. Well, almost. And I'm sure you have for ed and emily. I'm all for good humor. i do think people should identify themselves, but it's also ok to be a bit pg13. Just my opinion of course. P
We don't let our kids read the blog 'cuz of potential adult-styled commentaries. This being said, with my own postings, I always keep in mind that my mother & father-in-law may read stuff and some of the teeny-bopper cousins too. :-<> I agree that Anonymous postings aren't magically delicious. It can be difficult to get someone's humor and/or intent when yah don't know who wrote it. :-)
BTW - Notre Dame is playing Kansas St. on ESPN tonight (basketball). Go Irish!
Creighton plays a big game on wed. night against #20 Xavier. Creighton was thought to expect a down year this year but they are 5-0 with a 20 average margin of victory, but have not played anybody as close to as good as Xavier. It is at Xavier so it will be a tough road game for the young Creighton team. Go Jays!
Molly~ I agree. :-) I was watching Dr. Phil, yesterday, and a mother was all upset 'cuz her 14(?) year old daughter was playing some, "virtual life," computer game...non-stop. The mother went on to say that she has, "tried," to limit her daughter's playing to 4 hours a day. What?! 4 hours? This young girl, also, uses her mother's credit card to purchase, "virtual," possessions for her, "avatar," persona. OMG...this is crazy...and simple. Take away the credit card and put a block on the game...hello? I cannot believe this mother would put herself and her daughter on a talk show to discuss something so lame with such an easy fix. Isn't she embarrassed? Isn't she concerned that her daughter is going to receive negative attention? What's the drawing card? A free night in a hotel?
I know that I am a member of of this family and I am thankful every day for it. There is no other family (other than mine) that I would rather be part of. When I said that I thought the STRAUB blog was for all the Straubs I was including myself but refering to all ages of the extended Straub family.
Some interesting questions have been raised and they will provide for interesting discussion.
#1: Is the Straub blog for adults only or for all ages? #2: What level of humor/content is appropriate?
What impresses me about those avatar and virtual pet games etc. is that people have figured out how to make money without providing any kind of real goods or services beyond maintaining the websites. Any parent that gives a 14-year-old a credit card to spend online for "virtual" goods deserves the monster they are creating. In fact, I really can't think of any good reason to give a 14-year-old a credit card at all. We all know what kind of slap that mom needs, don't we?
I agree that it is the parent's job to monitor what their children are readingl/viewing on the internet. However, I would hope that the Straub family blog is one site where a parent would not have to worry about that.
Hey Pat...you THINK it's your new address? haha, a few weeks ago in Chicago Mike was ordering breakfast and he said to the waitress, "MAYBE I'll have the greek omelet...and if YOU FEEL like it throw on a little extra feta cheese"...it still makes me giggle!! m.e.
Did Desperate Housewives have a tornado, because last night Saving Grace had one and I think some other show last week did too. Plus that show Tin Man with the alternate Oz, which I decided not to watch to its conclusion because everyone in it was calling Oz "the O-Z" and you have to draw the line somewhere.
I can't even find anything offensive in this particular blog...any comments? Peckerhead (m.e.) If you think that's naughty, then you have a creative mind. Woody Woodpecker
Peckerhead is offensive because it is crude. It is also a euphemism for a slang term used by juveniles.
I don't think the term "b----slap" means "to discipline a female canine", and I don't approve of that method of discipline either. The word b---- in itself is not offensive if used in the proper context but again, in the way it was used, it was crude.
Yes those word may be crude, but in both instances I laughed, especially the Ontario B-slap. I consider this pg 13 humor and I don't think anyone has ever gone beyond that. If one is offended they don't have to read and as Molly said, if parents don't want their kids to read it, then they shouldn't let them. As for the teens, again, it's the parents' responsibility, but I guarantee you, as someone with fond memories of high school and a former high school teacher, they hear far worse at school. And yes, I realize that does not make it OK. Like Stevo said, for what purpose is the blog? What was the intention of those who set it up? (Ed and Pat, right?)
In thinking about Mike's conversation with the Server...it reminds me of a question MY Mother will ask...even at OUR Restaurant...eh, hem..."Is the XYZ any good?" Hello? What are they suppose to say...no, it's terrible and especially Server's at OUR Restaurant and in front of me...ha, ha...makes me laugh. :-)
I hope the good people of Algona (& surrounding communities) choose to come out and dine...regardless of the inclement weather. They must be hungry because they haven't eaten since Friday!
Although I TERN towards the pg-13 view myself, I can SWALLOW the idea that a little self-restraint never hurt anybody, and I mean even twixt HAWKS and DOVES can't we all just getalong but anyone can use the word BOOBY and not feel bad that's my opinion.
Cathy~ Regarding virtual goods...the girl said that for every $10,000 virtual dollars yah wanna buy...it costs $5 REAL dollars. The girl went on to say something like, "Yah, wanna have nice stuff in your house for when you have people over." Ha! Scary.
We just ate lunch at SS and I had something amazing...a new lunch special "chicken and biscuits" $5.55...(don't tell the other birds!) Anyway, 2 small checken breast layered between biscuits with the best gravy and swimming peas...it was AMAZING!!! very yummy home-cookin' flavor with a sophisticated presentation!
Yes, I m sure Big Mama had a good life with you and Betty to care for her, though. What's the life expectancy of a gerbil?
As Ed said, big game tonight. We did not buy the Bluejay web cast package for all the games, but I think you can purchase tonight's game individually for $7. Details at gocreighton.com
I think guinea pigs live, at most, five or six years. Big Mama outlived all but one of her children. We noticed she wasn't eating or drinking very much the past couple of weeks, and this week I noticed she was shaking a bit. I now have an empty $125 plexiglass cage I bought at the pet shop. I am going to clean it up and save it. Like an old car that runs well, nobody will buy it for what it is worth to you, so you might as well keep it.
Just heard scary news (CNN) there is a mall shooting at westroads in Omaha...the shooter was right by our old store then headed into Von Maur...stood at the 3rd floor escalator and started shooting down to the 2nd and 1st floor (by the piano) 5 people shot so far...
Oh and to pray for the person and their family...who committed this tragic act of violence. Something must have been terribly wrong and awfully sad for them to behave like this. :-(
10:45 PM, Wed 12/05/2007. By now everybody has heard or seen the news from Omaha. The local TV stations have been covering it all day long and it has been on the national news as well. Tonight at "Generations of Faith" which is held the first Wed of every month at our Parish and Cathy is in charge of, The topic was "Peace and how to bring it about". In the discussion group I was in the focus was on love thy enemy and forgive seven times seven,etc.. How ironic that this was all pre-planned and came up tonight. Senseless acts of violence are beyond understanding and in our lifetime we may never know "why". While our hearts go out to all the victims and their families and we ask God to bless and comfort them, we must also ask God (as hard as it is) to forgive the one who did it and bless and help his family.
A well intentioned warbler never meant to be the harbinger of anything other than good will thus while electing to silence his puffy bill cannot resist a parting chirp 'fore being still. Whereas brisk debates are laudable certain rules of engagement are cardinal.
Not seeking to dampen creativity for all those nesting in the family tree freedom of expression is paramount without fear of censor, censure or turn-about. Birds of a feather endeavor to be clever and soar highest on wings of propriety.
Jude split his lip at preschool yesterday and it needed stitches. He was actually pretty calm about the hurt lip, but he was not letting any doctor or nurse touch him. HE was thrashing about so much and he ripped off his hospital braclet twice, so they put him under "Conscious sedation" using some drug I can't remember the name of but the nurse said the street name was Special K. It was so strange to look into his eyes and watch them go vacant right in front of me. He was awake, but very still and seemed to be tripping. I would love to know what he was thinking about. About 30 minutes later a brightness returned to his eyes and he looked right at me and mumbled, "I wanna go home and I'm very hungry right now." In order for him to be released, he had to know his mom and dad. When the nurse asked him, "Who's that?" pointing at me and Scott he said in a very snotty, duh-like voice, "That's Scott and that's Emily." He's doing well and the stitches should dissolve in 3 days.
One of the men who was killed used to be a member of this parish and he was the husband in the sponsor couple that helped in the marriage prep for our maintenance guy Brian. His name was John McDonald. Also one of the shooting victims who survived used to teach at St. Alberts. Our crowd at Generations was smaller than usual last night and pretty subdued.
When Ellen was tiny she had to have stitches in her foot and they wrapped her in a full-body velcro-fastened restraint. After a few minutes she stopped screaming and her face turned all purple and I realized she was trying to burst it open with very Ellen-like total determination. For some reason they didn't anesthetize her toe - I think the doc thought it would only take a minute or two but now I'm mad at myself for not questioning it. How's Jude today?
I'm signing my lease now for FL. It's just a basic 2 bdrm apt.and the lease is 16 pages. Both our signatures required about 6 times. I have NEVER had a lease like this. Lots are state required regulations. I have to sign that I am not in the military, not sure why... P
OK, forget that last post. I just came home and it took me three tries and two digouts to get into my driveway. Twice I ended up straddled over the corner of the retaining wall. Stevo went to Omaha to get parts for the washing machine so I better go dig out the bottom of the driveway. Where's a kid with a shovel on his shoulder when you need one?
Em, sorry to hear about Jude. I hope he feels better ASAP. Poor guy.
Also, I realized that I have not congratulated you and Scott on his upcoming new job and the move to Minn. So, CONGRATULATIONS! It will be good to have all four of you closer and hopefully we will get to see all of you more.
A perfect wintery day for our children as they have been building forts and frollicking, in the snow, for 2 hours w/ our friends/neighbors, Joe and Jacob Teague. Hot chocolatey Ovaltine and fresh baked cookies await them inside. ;-)
I have had three papers due this week. And an exam. Oh, and working full time to boot. That, plus the fact that I don't have any cable, means I don't know much about what is going on in the world. LOL...there are no cookies and milk for my kids...just barking orders to feed themselves if they can!!!!! Oh, and to pick up all the dirty clothes upstairs and clean their rooms!! There are NO clean towels in this house either!!! I would love to be baking cookies and serving Ovaltine, but someone needs to earn a living here!!
I just did this whole post about The Golden Compass and it didn't stick. Divine intervention? I was wondering if anyone had read the book. I did a few years ago. It's a great book and I think the hype is stupid. All kids will understand is a story about a kid who learns to outsmart powerful adults, and grow up. The latter two books in the trilogy are much more overtly religious, but they are also preachy and I bet most kids would never get through them, they'd get really bored. Or they'd skip over those passages and just get to the story.
Send-off Party for Assistant Dean Patricia Straub, December 7 Please join the GLS faculty and staff in thanking Pat for her many contributions to Hamline and wishing her well as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.
Open house for Patricia Straub Friday, December 7, 4-6 p.m. Sweeney’s Saloon 96 North Dale Street (on the corner of Dale and Ashland) Saint Paul
I'm moving to a new chapter ....haha. I work for a writing program. Most the send off parties are at the school. I requested a saloon.
Yah, we rec'd a letter from the diocese strongly urging us to not watch The Golden Compass. The letter did suggest that if you have older children it could initiate some good dialogue. The boys, specifically, Eli, really wanna see it. So...yah think it's okay? BTW: I am doing all of our Christmas shopping online with JCPenney today...I'm kinda excited...never done that before!
About the shooting...that mallwas ourhome away from home, because of the store...the younger kids would be there with us a lot...Desmond worked there alot... the guy who got shot in the arm and used his necktie to stop the bleeding...he's a friend of Desmond's, they grduated together.
There are no reasons why civilians should have guns like that...they sould only be used to kill innocent civilians in Iraq.
Hey if you guys go here you'll see my new apt. building, and the view across the street. I typed in my address to see what would pop up and this guy lives in the same building.
About the Golden Compass....certain members of the Church continue to make best-sellers out of marginally sucessful books by being so outraged about them. I understand that the movie is beautifully crafted and downplays the anti-religious agenda (which the author surely shows in the last two books especially). If I were taking my young kid to see it I would have part of the discussion ahead of time about how sometimes great artists are not necessarily right in their opinions or lifestyles (Da Vinci, Mozart etc) and the very talented author of these books falls into that category. Point out how he is very anti-organized-religion and for example, he calls the bad guys the Magisterium, which is the name for the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. (With a name like that, they're kind of asking for it, don't you think?) Let them enjoy the movie and talk about the cool parts and then follow up afterward with things you see in the movie that could be subtle propaganda. Kids need to learn some time that the things that chip away at their faith don't walk around in a red suit and horns, but are embedded in our culture. And I WISH the media would stop going to the Catholic League for the Church's viewpoint on every issue. I have never seen one of those spokespersons who wasn't hostile, sarcastic, defensive and martyred.
I don't think any of those reasons cover owning an AK-47, which is specifically designed to kill large numbers of people in a very short time. Some of the people killed probably own guns, for all that did for them. I think we should be able to own hunting guns and even non-automatic handguns for self-protection in your own home, but I don't imagine the framers of the Constitution really had mass-humas-destruction machines in mind.
Fully automatic AK-47s are illegal. True he could not have killed 8 people in a few minutes with a knife. But, he could have with a car plowed into a crowd of people. The constitution, as I understand it, allowed for weapons so as to be able to quickly form a militia if needed. And who knows, the way things are going....
Tom...just watch late night tv...I've seen ads for that problem. I was only referring to AK-47s...why why why are they legal...who needs one? Hunting rifles are fun:-)
Well, I agree that when guns are outlawed only the government will have guns - scary - but don't you think somehow we need to try to prevent the situation of some guy snapping and getting his hands on one? It was probably a semiautomatic. They were talking about how he had two magazines taped together, and I don't know anything about guns to know the implications of that. Do we really have a right to personally acquire weapons meant to kill lots of people? I mean morally, not legally. Cars are not meant or designed to kill people but AK-47's are. I think I'm going to learn archery so that if I ever meet up with Orlando Bloom we'll have something to talk about.
Thanks for the compliment M.E. I enjoyed your punnishous prose as well.
BTW, Cathy and I will be coming up to Whittemore next weekend (15/16)for a pre-Christmas visit as we will be in Indiana over Christmas this year. We hope that you and Mike will be there as we missed you guys the last two times we were there.
As of yesterday, I'm now official done with undergraduate classes for the rest of my life!
I know there are a lot of stories of people who just missed the shooter at Westroads, but I have another one. I talked to Andy's sister the day before and knew that she was going to be Christman shopping Wednesday- she lives and works near westroads. I talked to her Wed afternoon though, and she said she was headed over there to get stuff from Von Maur but heard about it on the radio driving there. Andy's aunt had just left the mall through Von Maur a few mintues before. They're both very lucky.
As of yesterday, I'm now official done with undergraduate classes for the rest of my life!
I know there are a lot of stories of people who just missed the shooter at Westroads, but I have another one. I talked to Andy's sister the day before and knew that she was going to be Christman shopping Wednesday- she lives and works near westroads. I talked to her Wed afternoon though, and she said she was headed over there to get stuff from Von Maur but heard about it on the radio driving there. Andy's aunt had just left the mall through Von Maur a few mintues before. They're both very lucky.
I believe in and agree with the constitutional right to own firearms if they are legal and legally owned (not by felons, etc.). I also agree that there is no need for a private citizen to own a high-powered automatic or semiautomatic weapon whether legal or not. I think that AK-47's can be purchased legally by private citizens but I thought they had to be altered prior to purchase so they are not automatic. Anyone know the law on that? Is it State of Federal law? I also agree with Tom that if that individual in Omaha or anyone else for that matter wanted to "go out in style" and take others with him, it could be accomplished with a motorized vehicle or even a bomb but a mass-shooting seems more sensational. Even when certain types of weapons are illegal, the persons that commit these type of crimes somehow find a way to get them. If these types of weapons were unavailable to the general public would it help to prevent these horrendous acts? Would it also trample on the rights of law-abiding citizens? I don't know the answer to these questions and don't know for sure what my final stance is on the issue of banning certain types of firearms. I do know though that I believe the increased production and mass marketing of violent CD computer games can affect unstable individuals who fantasize about doing something like what happened in Omaha two days ago. They may be unable to seperate the game from reality and convince themselves that they are justified in taking the game to a new level. This brings up a whole new issue of freedom of speech. How far should we go in censoring certain things to protect society?
Actually, we're more than official proud of Ellen. She made the Dean's List almost every semester of the four years. (Hint to present and future college students: do not take Meteorology for an easy science "A". Just ask Ellen and Grace.) Plus working 15 to 30 hours a week. Waytogo, Peanut!
Yeah about the video games, but what about the 24-hour coverage of sensational news stories by "responsible journalists" showing scenes of school shootings and interviewing victims over and over again? You don't think the 5:00 news puts ideas into already unstable heads? But censoring news organizations isn't the answer. On Thurs. night's (dismal) Bears/Redskins game, a fan ran out onto the field and the game was delayed. I don't know if he was streaking or what, because the network refused to show him on TV. Too bad Good Morning America can't figure out the virtues of restraint.
Would someone please send an e-mail to us...we don't think oure-mail is working...been on the phone with"Amberwave" here in Algona...his office is literally 30 feet from ours but he tried to figure it out from his desk...said he's better at his own desk!!! Anyway..."algonarealty@netamumail.com"
I,m a TV news junkie but I do get tired of the same thing over and over and I don't like it when an interviewer asks questions that somehow infer that the perpetrator's family or some other authority is somehow to blame because they did recognize his or her intentions and did not do anything to prevent it.
How cold was it when that incident happened at the Bear's game? Who won?
Exciting news...my Mom and Dad are sending me, my mom, sister, sister-in-law and Aunt Mary to the Hotel Riu in Cancun from April 2-April 6th! WooHoo! :-) Check it out...it's beautiful! http://www.riu.com/en/hotel-riu-cancun-mexico.html
Big Beef - I'm proud of you, too. And totally impressed and inspired. Nance - you deserve a great vacay. Have a fun time! Des - I want to know about your new job, too. Dad (Stevo)- The Bears lost. It was terrible, they didn't even look like a pro team. Humiliating. Grossman got hurt (so did the Redskins QB) and Griese immediately threw a couple interceptions. Grossman's most likely out for the rest of the season, and Griese hasn't impressed me at all this year. They won't even make the play-offs this year. I wonder if anyone besides Hester will even go to the pro-bowl. I think they play the Vikings next week, Monday Night Football. Speaking of Monday Night Football, does anyone else hate the announcers? Especially that little guy - I always think of him as the Angry Leprechaun. Still, they are not nearly as bad as Gumbel who announces the Thurs. Games for the NFL network... he is terrible. Terrible. Really terrible.
194 comments:
carpe cyprinus carpio: seize the carp.
happy birthday guys.
Happy Birthday Joe 4
You really shoot and score
Academics, theatre and ball
Super-star at them all
A sweet smile we adore!
Joe is carpe quiesco his birthday morning.
(:-) English to Latin online dictionary!!!)
J ovial
O utstanding
S ensational
E xcellent
P olite
H appy
J ocund
O ptimistic
H igh-achiever
N ice
S inger
T ackler
R obust
A ble
U biquitous
B rother
Hey Happy Birthday Joe an Nance. Hope you stay warm on your birthday. It's cold here.
Some employees bought their boss a gift for his birthday. Before opening the gift, the boss shook it slightly, and noticed that it was wet in the corner. Touching his finger to the wet spot and tasting it, he asked, "A bottle of wine?"
His employees replied, "No."
Again, he touched his finger to the box and tasted the liquid. "A bottle of scotch?"
"His employees replied again, "No."
Finally the boss asked, "I give up. What is it?"
His workers responded, "A puppy."
HAPPY B-DAY JOE AND NANCE!
Best wishes for the coming year!
Yours Truly,
Peckerhead
In addition to the two birthday of two stellar individuals, I'd like to announce the addition of a blog contributor, another stellar individual. Molly has offered her services. If you look on the right side of the blog, you'll see her listed under Contributors.
p
Waytogo, Molly!
Happy Birthday to Nance! Put on your high-heeled boots, Baby!
Happy Birthday, Joe. Put on your red dress, stop carping, and dance!
Happy Birthday Nance, you are amazing!
Happy Birthday JoeIV, you're a great kid!
Happy Birthday Nanc! Put on YOUR red dress and dance.
Happy Birthday Joe! You were the hit of the show.
Wishing a great day to two great individuals.
Sorry C, I didn't mean to steal your lines.
Molly, thanks for helping on the blog. You are most excellente' dudette.
Happy Birthday to my wife, best friend, lover, mother to my kids, and the one I always dreamed of growing old with.
Love,
Tom
And Happy Birthday to you, Joe. You make us all proud.
Happy Birthday Nance...how do you handle it all...being the Mom...the Wife...and the bookkeeper for Algona'a premier restaurant?
Happy Birthday Joe4! To the Straub family's star high school football player!! Love, Granny
Happy Birthday to Nance and Joe4!
Have fun, but not too much!
It's offical, we're leaving HB March 1st and driving with 2 kids and 2 cats to Minnesota. The baby will be about 4-5 weeks old then, still sleping most of the time, so hopefully it won't be too bad, except of course stopping every 2 hours to feed him.
I think we've decided on a name and I'll give you a hint. In the Old Testament, he was one of Eli's assistants. (At least that's it said on the paper sent home from Jude's school. They send home a little lesson plan each week to let the parents know what they talked about in "chapel".) So, who knows their Old Testament?
I should be his Godfather.
Sam is a great name.
Is that true? I LOVE Sam Guilliatt. However, if you ever have a third boy...I still really like Eli Guilliatt...I think it looks cool.
Hey Eli! Whatcha doin' on the blog? You should be in class...sigh.
Sam. Great name. Solid, kind of like Joe. I took today off, even though I finish work in a couple of weeks.
P
I can tell I'm getting older (maturing, finally) as I didn't look at the receipt I found in Tom's jean pocket...today, while I was doing laundry.
Happy Birthday Nance!!!
Happy Birthday Joe4!!!
Thought I'd forget
broke out in a sweat
my fingers are wet!
I tried to let
you know. I get
busy signals yet...
Tried to stop by and met
a Trooper whose ticket
took all my money, I bet.
Oh well...what did you get?
Oh, no! Did you really get a ticket?
I was home all day
Robbing Peter to pay Ray
Heard nothing from the bell
Did you shout out a yell?
I'll be here on Thursday.
Of course, each Birthday is better than the last as each year I love my family more. Well...perhaps, not better, but uniquely and very especially different. This morning, all four of the males in my life...yes, Guinness too...awoke me from my slumber...with smiles, kisses and Birthday wishes. All morning long everything was, "Birthday." Birthday cereal, birthday vitamins, birthday coffee, birthday dishes, birthday uniforms and birthday, "Bye, have a great day at school and be good Christian soldiers," (as I wave from the drive).
The boys came home with a rouse to distract me from their Birthday preparations...which included signing cards and putting away presents and dessert. As Liam feigned illness and I tended to his pretend ailments (which he was very good at, much to my chagrin)...Dad and my eldest took care of my Birthday surprises.
Dad made the boys dinner, which consisted of popcorn chicken, tater-tots and apple sauce. Happy boys...thanks Dad. Simultaneously, he made chicken and steak on the grill, roasted baby golden potatoes, baked breadsticks and blanched asparagus. Once dinner was settled in our tummies...the 3-men-o-my-life, sneakily prepared my Birthday sugar-free-walnut-banana cake...adorned with inextinguishable candles and others that spelled, "c-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e." They sang Happy Birthday as I wished for good health, happiness and faith for the year to come. Unfortunately, my wishes may not come true as I was rendered incapable of blowing out my, "trick," candles.
Lastly, the gifts. I opened the cards first as that is what a polite person does. The cards glistened with words of praise and love. The gift bag was carefully selected, by Eli, and danced with brightly colored poke-a-dots...so sweet. My first gift was Liam's idea. A hint I dropped many months ago...he's listening better. A copper colander. Awe...Mommy loves it. :-) The boys selected a beautiful gold ring that was set with my birthstone...something very important to them. They were so proud. Tom selected a gold and amethyst bracelet...very pretty and reminiscent of my Anniversary necklace. Wow...what a perfect evening. The men in my life know what it means to show their love in so many splendid ways.
Currently, the boys are doing their homework, without complaint (Birthday wish.
I am a lucky gal. :-)
HAPPY B-DAY NANCE.. STOP..WILL ELABORATE FURTHER LATER..STOP..THE COWS ARE CRYING, THE COWS ARE CRYING, ..STOP..THE MUSTACHE IS BROWN, THE MUSTACHE IS BROWN,,,STOP,,THE TABLE IS ROUND, THE TABLE IS ROUND...STOP
Happy Birthday Nancy. We rock.
Thank you...could not have picked anyone more wonderful to share my special day with. :-)
"Happy Birthday, Us!" :-<>
Joe IV I got you two cats for your birthday! They are fully grown and mostly trained. Great alarm clocks.
P
Thanks for all of the salutations! :-)
It really hurts me to admit this, but I don't get the posting from Joe3 and Chuck. Please elaborate, Stop.
Happy, Happy, Birthday, Birthday...Nance and Joe!
"Live long and prosper" (where have I heard that?)
ML
Elijah's number 1 assistant was a guy named Elisha. I still like Joe better. Dad
Happy Belated Birthday J4 and Fancy Nance (that's what Braden calls you). Hope it was fun.
Ha! I LOVE it! :-) My friend, Jackie, has been calling me that for 23 years! ;-)
A cautionary tale: A group of youths were mocking Elisha and making fun of his baldness, so Elisha cursed them and a couple of she-bears promptly showed up and tore 42 of them to pieces. Make ye not mockery of those with growing foreheads, for they shall call down curses upon thy heads, and shall rend ye limb from limb.
That Old Testament was a pretty tough neighborhood.
Whoa! That's a bear of a story.
I thought Elisha was a girl's name.
Stevo, have you no fear of bears?
I think the Call brothers had good names....Asa and Ambrose. Cool but not trendy.
Tom
Yeah I really like Ambrose. P
Yes I like Asa. I should be sleeping, but I needed a bowl of cheerios.
I should be sleeping too. In fact I am.
There are certain names which require a person to grow up handsome and smart.
Like Catherine.
I was thinking more along the lines of Bertha or Oliver. These people better grow up to be attractive and smart.
Molly, are you responsible for the confusing new way to post at the bottom of this box?
It was 4 degrees when I woke up. Tomorrow we are to get 5-9 inches of snow.
P
they're talking 3 to 5 inches of snow here, snarf snarf
We're supposed to get up to 3/4 inch of ice. Might have to cancel First Reconciliation.
I know a guy named Asa, he plays on Ryan's football team. He's always happy and smiling, and everyone likes him. They really like saying Asa a lot. He's one of the few guys in the league famously known by his first name.
Grace
I'm famously known as Mrs. Ortega. It makes me feel like Mrs. Cleaver.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Joe Biden is complaining that his foes keep saying he'd be a great secretary of state.
Nothing wrong with that job, he says, but he's running for president. And if he'd be better at foreign policy than his rivals, well, why in the world shouldn't he be president instead of them?
Biden, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is widely expected to be on the short list for secretary of state if one of his Democratic rivals wins the White House. Maybe if a Republican wins, too.
But he said Thursday, speaking at a forum on Iraq: "Under no administration will I accept the job of secretary of state."
A voter had asked the Delaware senator what he would do to restore U.S. credibility in the world.
"That's the president's job," he said. "I know a lot of my opponents out there say I'd be a great secretary of state. Seriously, every one of them. Do you watch any of the debates? 'Joe's right, Joe's right, Joe's right.'"
"I ask you a rhetorical question: Are you prepared to vote for anyone — at this moment in our history — as president who is not capable of being secretary of state? Who among my opponents would you consider appointing secretary of state? Seriously. Think about it."
Mom there is a button-thing at the top that says straight to comment form that will express you to the bottom and you can scroll up if that is more convienent, however I had nothing to do with it:)
Grace, you always did remind me of Mrs. Cleaver.
Em, only the Chicago Bears.
Council Bluffs 8:52 AM 12/01/2007: 33 degrees and rain on top of a solid 1/4 inch layer of ice. Cathy had to call everyone this morning to postpone First Reconcilliation. Also had it posted on local TV stations. Very slick and dangerous to drive (and walk). Local law enforcement advising everyone to stay off roads. Parts of I-80 closed. Welcome to Winter.
Em, regarding the Chicago Bears, every time they play I fear they might lose.
Sooo....who won the novel-writing contest? I think mine was best.
I wish this storm would have begun TOMORROW morning. :-(
the gently falling snow has turned to an ice storm here in Madison. so about 2 inches of snow being covered by ice pellets.
Everybody drive carefully!!
6 1/2 inches in Madison. normally by now the driveway and sidewalks have been cleared by the snow removal guys. i hope the landlord didn't forget to renew the contract again (happened 2 years ago). i watched a 4x4 pickup with a blade on front get stuck right in front of my building.
so Huckabee is the leading republican in Iowa now, eh? i'm telling you, that Chuck Norris endorsement carries a lot of weight.
Two hour delay for Algona Schools...woohoo! It works out nicely for Eli as he threw up oodles-o-vomit on Friday night...had a bad case of the die-uh-ree-ah and just began to be, "on the mend," today. Poor baby.
Jude threw up on Friday too but I think it may have been becasue I force fed him too much.
There's an Alberta Clipper coming. It's gonna be COLD.
it's 2 degrees here. We didn't get all that ice though.
P
That's strange...Mia had a stomach thing too - she threw up many times and had diarrhea and literally didn't eat for four days. She started looking a little delicate. Then she got better and the other day she pulled up her shirt and showed me she got her little round tummy back.
Christmas shopping 60% done!
Here's an interesting story about Huckabee...when he was governor of Arkansas, to make it easier for people who wanted to give him gifts, he and his wife registered just like a bridal couple. All perfectly legal in Arkansas, at least. I can't decide if it was totally tacky and greedy, or if it just arose out of his pragmatic but naive nature coupled with his former preacher-who-got-gifts-all-the-time occupation, but it showed questionable judgement in my opinion. Although I kind of like him. But I'd never vote for him anyway unless he was running against Hitler or something. But a funny story.
is it an Alberta Clipper or an Ontario Bitchslap?
Canada needs to keep its pimp hand strong.
In the Republican debate, there was a question about the death penalty basically asking "What would Jesus do?" and none of the morons would answer the question. Mit said, "I would seek His guidance...blah blah blah" Huckabee said< "Jesus would never be stupid enough to run for public office." It was supposed to be funny, but I found all the men to be absolute hypocrites.
Poor Mia. Jude too...or, was it just too much to eat?
Yah, I thought Eli would be returning to school. Last night, he ate his first meal (in two days)...however, this morning he couldn't eat. I think it may be MY fault as I set out his vitamin and milk BEFORE his breakfast was ready. He ate his vitamin (sans food) and then, had tummy problems. I tried to get him to eat...saying that a vitamin on an empty stomach can be a problem...but, he just couldn't. He stayed home today.
Check it out. Des Moines is cool:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/travel/02journeys.html?
In the picture, the first awning on the left side is my building. I live in the East Village.
I think I'm getting sick, too. And I never get sick. But my round tummy hasn't disappeared yet.
Ellen said she might have an ugly sweater party this weekend. Soon ugly sweaters are going to be so cool that cool sweaters are ugly.
Ugly sweater party... that's funny.
Someone please remind me why I'm moving to Minnesota. It's 68 and sunny today. We've been looking at houses online and Scott keeps saying, "That looks like a lot of shoveling." I def. see Santa bringing a snowblower some future Christmas.
Emily~
My Father worked at Union Oil for 37 years. Many times, throughout his career, he was offered promotions to cities where their offices were more expansive. Cities such as...LA, Atlanta and Chicago. Often times, my Dad took a lateral position change to ensure that his children were raised in Minnesota...'cuz it's so awesome!
Does that help?
Ellen's Ugly Sweater themed party sounds cool! Of course, I would have to borrow one from my sister.
Wow. Des Moines is the new mecca for politico/culture/food groupies. Your awning looks very cool.
Joe J~ Very cool! :-)
I watched the premier of a new miniseries on the sci-fi channel last night called "Tin Man" - an edgy takeoff on the Wizard of Oz story that I thought was going to be good, but I was disappointed. Anyone else see it? I kind of have to see what happens now.
When posting comments please remember that children read the blog too. No lecture intended but I would hope that the blog stays family friendly and adult in attitude, not in content or expression. Sorry if I sound like an old fogey.
Yes, I agree and no you don't sound like an, "old fogey." :-)
Thanks Nanc.
Joe J, great article and photo in the NY Times. You are "where it's happenin' baby".
i DIDN'T THINK THE BLOG WAS FOR CHILDREN....I MEAN, LET THEM READ POSTs ON THEIR BIRTHDAY...BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S AN ADULT BLOG...ANY THOUGHTS??
m.e.
I'm inclined to agree with Mary. Since we don't all get to see eachother that often, this is the equivalent of sitting around the kitchen table, having a beer and gabbing sans kids.
No disrespect to Stevo and Nance of course, but I think there's nothing wrong with a little PG 13 humour from time to time. Maybe someone could help the younger cousins set up their own blog.
Humor between adults sitting around the kitchen table is not the same as publishing something on the internet that can be read by anyone and that some may find offensive. Nothing wrong with humor on the blog but there is a big difference between humor and questionable language. I also don't mean any disrespect to anyone and I realize that I am only an in-law (out-law?), but I thought the "STRAUB" blog was for all the Straubs. When someone publishes a comment on the blog but does not identify themself is it perhaps because they are embarrassed to do so?
Remember, Big Brother is watching!
That's a joke----about Big Brother.
No one is "only an in law". You've been part of our family as long as I can remember. Well, almost. And I'm sure you have for ed and emily.
I'm all for good humor. i do think people should identify themselves, but it's also ok to be a bit pg13. Just my opinion of course.
P
Yeah Steve-o. You have been in the family about as long as I have.
This blog is for everybody and people should write what they want. If somebody goes over the line they will get bitchslapped.
We don't let our kids read the blog 'cuz of potential adult-styled commentaries. This being said, with my own postings, I always keep in mind that my mother & father-in-law may read stuff and some of the teeny-bopper cousins too. :-<>
I agree that Anonymous postings aren't magically delicious. It can be difficult to get someone's humor and/or intent when yah don't know who wrote it. :-)
BTW: Who is selecting Mary & Joe's Christmas gifts?
BTW - Notre Dame is playing Kansas St. on ESPN tonight (basketball). Go Irish!
Creighton plays a big game on wed. night against #20 Xavier. Creighton was thought to expect a down year this year but they are 5-0 with a 20 average margin of victory, but have not played anybody as close to as good as Xavier. It is at Xavier so it will be a tough road game for the young Creighton team. Go Jays!
Powerful. An unusual word to describe an episode of Desperate Housewives...but, that's exactly what I thought of Sunday's show...anyone see?
As with anything on the internet, I believe it's a parents' job to monitor what their children are reading on the blog.
Molly~ I agree. :-)
I was watching Dr. Phil, yesterday, and a mother was all upset 'cuz her 14(?) year old daughter was playing some, "virtual life," computer game...non-stop. The mother went on to say that she has, "tried," to limit her daughter's playing to 4 hours a day. What?! 4 hours? This young girl, also, uses her mother's credit card to purchase, "virtual," possessions for her, "avatar," persona. OMG...this is crazy...and simple. Take away the credit card and put a block on the game...hello? I cannot believe this mother would put herself and her daughter on a talk show to discuss something so lame with such an easy fix. Isn't she embarrassed? Isn't she concerned that her daughter is going to receive negative attention? What's the drawing card? A free night in a hotel?
I know that I am a member of of this family and I am thankful every day for it. There is no other family (other than mine) that I would rather be part of. When I said that I thought the STRAUB blog was for all the Straubs I was including myself but refering to all ages of the extended Straub family.
Some interesting questions have been raised and they will provide for interesting discussion.
#1: Is the Straub blog for adults only or for all ages?
#2: What level of humor/content is appropriate?
Any comments?
This is fun.
I think this is our new Florida address.
407 S Lakeside Drive Apt. A
Lake Worth, FL 33460
Commit it to memory.
P
What impresses me about those avatar and virtual pet games etc. is that people have figured out how to make money without providing any kind of real goods or services beyond maintaining the websites. Any parent that gives a 14-year-old a credit card to spend online for "virtual" goods deserves the monster they are creating. In fact, I really can't think of any good reason to give a 14-year-old a credit card at all. We all know what kind of slap that mom needs, don't we?
I agree that it is the parent's job to monitor what their children are readingl/viewing on the internet. However, I would hope that the Straub family blog is one site where a parent would not have to worry about that.
Go Irish! Go Jays!
Hey Pat...you THINK it's your new address? haha, a few weeks ago in Chicago Mike was ordering breakfast and he said to the waitress, "MAYBE I'll have the greek omelet...and if YOU FEEL like it throw on a little extra feta cheese"...it still makes me giggle!!
m.e.
The mom can also set up a password so the addict (daughter) can't get on unless the mom lets her. Duh.
Did she feel like it?
geez louizeee, we're all adults!!
m.e.
I think you guys should clean it up.
Liam
Liam, aren't you in school??
What would Mrs.Froelich say??
Do you watch Dr.Phil?
m.e.
Did Desperate Housewives have a tornado, because last night Saving Grace had one and I think some other show last week did too. Plus that show Tin Man with the alternate Oz, which I decided not to watch to its conclusion because everyone in it was calling Oz "the O-Z" and you have to draw the line somewhere.
I can't even find anything offensive in this particular blog...any comments?
Peckerhead (m.e.)
If you think that's naughty, then you have a creative mind.
Woody Woodpecker
Peckerhead is offensive because it is crude. It is also a euphemism for a slang term used by juveniles.
I don't think the term "b----slap" means "to discipline a female canine", and I don't approve of that method of discipline either. The word b---- in itself is not offensive if used in the proper context but again, in the way it was used, it was crude.
Liam is in school today
Absent only on Friday
An Avatar persona?
Perhaps, it's Tony Roma
Dr. Phil...no way.
Yes those word may be crude, but in both instances I laughed, especially the Ontario B-slap. I consider this pg 13 humor and I don't think anyone has ever gone beyond that. If one is offended they don't have to read and as Molly said, if parents don't want their kids to read it, then they shouldn't let them. As for the teens, again, it's the parents' responsibility, but I guarantee you, as someone with fond memories of high school and a former high school teacher, they hear far worse at school. And yes, I realize that does not make it OK. Like Stevo said, for what purpose is the blog? What was the intention of those who set it up? (Ed and Pat, right?)
Yes, a Tornado and it was freightening. :-<>
Betty's 7 year old guinea pig, Big Mama, died yesterday. She did fine with it, but I cried for half an hour. Go figure.
We put her in the freezer until next spring when we can give her a proper burial in the backyard.
Don't eat her by mistake.
In thinking about Mike's conversation with the Server...it reminds me of a question MY Mother will ask...even at OUR Restaurant...eh, hem..."Is the XYZ any good?" Hello? What are they suppose to say...no, it's terrible and especially Server's at OUR Restaurant and in front of me...ha, ha...makes me laugh. :-)
I rEGRET to inform you
as I CRANE my neck to read
your PUFFY CHESTED PUFFER can
cause a legal EAGLE doctine
that will ROBIN egg away
at creativity.
Signed,
very "blue bird"
m.e.
Poor Betty...I'm sorry. :-(
I hope the good people of Algona (& surrounding communities) choose to come out and dine...regardless of the inclement weather. They must be hungry because they haven't eaten since Friday!
Although I TERN towards the pg-13 view myself, I can SWALLOW the idea that a little self-restraint never hurt anybody, and I mean even twixt HAWKS and DOVES can't we all just getalong but anyone can use the word BOOBY and not feel bad that's my opinion.
Guinea pigs are actually eaten in some areas...South America, I think. I read about it on line last year.
Big Mama is safe. She is old and would be tough anyway.
The people have spoken.
'Nuff said.
Cathy~ Regarding virtual goods...the girl said that for every $10,000 virtual dollars yah wanna buy...it costs $5 REAL dollars. The girl went on to say something like, "Yah, wanna have nice stuff in your house for when you have people over." Ha! Scary.
We just ate lunch at SS and I had something amazing...a new lunch special "chicken and biscuits" $5.55...(don't tell the other birds!) Anyway, 2 small checken breast layered between biscuits with the best gravy and swimming peas...it was AMAZING!!! very yummy home-cookin' flavor with a sophisticated presentation!
Chirpin chic m.e.
I hear thunder. Maybe we'll get some thundersnow.
Thundersnow! the animated adventures of a crime fighting snowman.
people are cross country skiing on the sidewalks of madison tonight.
In Madison Square Garden ND put on a show last night as they beat Kansas State (playing in Manhatten).
Now the Jays need to beat the Xavier Mousketeers tonight. They should be on TV but they aren't (other then in Omaha).
Kelly...sorry for your loss...KLGA just announced that someone found a ferret in the library parking lot...could be a cheap replacement pet!!!
m.e.
Yes, I m sure Big Mama had a good life with you and Betty to care for her, though. What's the life expectancy of a gerbil?
As Ed said, big game tonight. We did not buy the Bluejay web cast package for all the games, but I think you can purchase tonight's game individually for $7. Details at gocreighton.com
Excuse me, guinea pigs, not gerbils.
I think guinea pigs live, at most, five or six years. Big Mama outlived all but one of her children. We noticed she wasn't eating or drinking very much the past couple of weeks, and this week I noticed she was shaking a bit. I now have an empty $125 plexiglass cage I bought at the pet shop. I am going to clean it up and save it. Like an old car that runs well, nobody will buy it for what it is worth to you, so you might as well keep it.
Just heard scary news (CNN) there is a mall shooting at westroads in Omaha...the shooter was right by our old store then headed into Von Maur...stood at the 3rd floor escalator and started shooting down to the 2nd and 1st floor (by the piano) 5 people shot so far...
m.e.
Yes, huge news, it's all over. It's scary! They think the shooter shot himself, too.
9 people dead (including the shooter) and at least 5 critically wounded in surgery in area hospitals
Sad and tragic. A prayer for all involved and their families.
Yes. :-(
Oh and to pray for the person and their family...who committed this tragic act of violence. Something must have been terribly wrong and awfully sad for them to behave like this. :-(
He apparently came from a dysfunctional home, but was staying with a stable family. He was fired from his job at a fast food restaurant today.
10:45 PM, Wed 12/05/2007. By now everybody has heard or seen the news from Omaha. The local TV stations have been covering it all day long and it has been on the national news as well. Tonight at "Generations of Faith" which is held the first Wed of every month at our Parish and Cathy is in charge of, The topic was "Peace and how to bring it about". In the discussion group I was in the focus was on love thy enemy and forgive seven times seven,etc.. How ironic that this was all pre-planned and came up tonight. Senseless acts of violence are beyond understanding and in our lifetime we may never know "why". While our hearts go out to all the victims and their families and we ask God to bless and comfort them, we must also ask God (as hard as it is) to forgive the one who did it and bless and help his family.
Now that I've said it I don't really know if I could do it if one of the victims was a member of my family.
A well intentioned warbler
never meant to be the harbinger
of anything other than good will
thus while electing to silence his puffy bill
cannot resist a parting chirp 'fore being still.
Whereas brisk debates are laudable
certain rules of engagement are cardinal.
Not seeking to dampen creativity
for all those nesting in the family tree
freedom of expression is paramount
without fear of censor, censure or turn-about.
Birds of a feather
endeavor to be clever
and soar highest on wings of propriety.
These ornithological comments are outstanding.
Jude split his lip at preschool yesterday and it needed stitches. He was actually pretty calm about the hurt lip, but he was not letting any doctor or nurse touch him. HE was thrashing about so much and he ripped off his hospital braclet twice, so they put him under "Conscious sedation" using some drug I can't remember the name of but the nurse said the street name was Special K. It was so strange to look into his eyes and watch them go vacant right in front of me. He was awake, but very still and seemed to be tripping. I would love to know what he was thinking about. About 30 minutes later a brightness returned to his eyes and he looked right at me and mumbled, "I wanna go home and I'm very hungry right now." In order for him to be released, he had to know his mom and dad. When the nurse asked him, "Who's that?" pointing at me and Scott he said in a very snotty, duh-like voice, "That's Scott and that's Emily." He's doing well and the stitches should dissolve in 3 days.
It may have been Ketamine, we used to use chloral hydrate. It smelled and tasted liked maple syrup.
One of the men who was killed used to be a member of this parish and he was the husband in the sponsor couple that helped in the marriage prep for our maintenance guy Brian. His name was John McDonald. Also one of the shooting victims who survived used to teach at St. Alberts. Our crowd at Generations was smaller than usual last night and pretty subdued.
Stevo, you're a poet and I didn't know it!
When Ellen was tiny she had to have stitches in her foot and they wrapped her in a full-body velcro-fastened restraint. After a few minutes she stopped screaming and her face turned all purple and I realized she was trying to burst it open with very Ellen-like total determination. For some reason they didn't anesthetize her toe - I think the doc thought it would only take a minute or two but now I'm mad at myself for not questioning it. How's Jude today?
Yes, Joe K, it was Ketamine.
I'm signing my lease now for FL. It's just a basic 2 bdrm apt.and the lease is 16 pages. Both our signatures required about 6 times. I have NEVER had a lease like this. Lots are state required regulations. I have to sign that I am not in the military, not sure why...
P
Maybe Florida has some kind of protective laws for active-duty tenants so they can't be evicted while in Iraq or something.
Snow's falling fast and beautiful. I love to be out when it's so thick in the air that it muffles noise.
OK, forget that last post. I just came home and it took me three tries and two digouts to get into my driveway. Twice I ended up straddled over the corner of the retaining wall. Stevo went to Omaha to get parts for the washing machine so I better go dig out the bottom of the driveway. Where's a kid with a shovel on his shoulder when you need one?
In a Norman Rockwell painting.
Now that's good humor.
Em, sorry to hear about Jude. I hope he feels better ASAP. Poor guy.
Also, I realized that I have not congratulated you and Scott on his upcoming new job and the move to Minn. So, CONGRATULATIONS! It will be good to have all four of you closer and hopefully we will get to see all of you more.
A perfect wintery day for our children as they have been building forts and frollicking, in the snow, for 2 hours w/ our friends/neighbors, Joe and Jacob Teague. Hot chocolatey Ovaltine and fresh baked cookies await them inside. ;-)
Oh and in addition to frollicking, they are riding their bikes on a snow-track in the side yard...I hope no one hits a tree! :-<>
perfection
I have had three papers due this week. And an exam. Oh, and working full time to boot. That, plus the fact that I don't have any cable, means I don't know much about what is going on in the world. LOL...there are no cookies and milk for my kids...just barking orders to feed themselves if they can!!!!! Oh, and to pick up all the dirty clothes upstairs and clean their rooms!! There are NO clean towels in this house either!!!
I would love to be baking cookies and serving Ovaltine, but someone needs to earn a living here!!
I just did this whole post about The Golden Compass and it didn't stick. Divine intervention? I was wondering if anyone had read the book. I did a few years ago. It's a great book and I think the hype is stupid. All kids will understand is a story about a kid who learns to outsmart powerful adults, and grow up. The latter two books in the trilogy are much more overtly religious, but they are also preachy and I bet most kids would never get through them, they'd get really bored. Or they'd skip over those passages and just get to the story.
Send-off Party for Assistant Dean Patricia Straub, December 7
Please join the GLS faculty and staff in thanking Pat for her many contributions to Hamline and wishing her well as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.
Open house for Patricia Straub
Friday, December 7, 4-6 p.m.
Sweeney’s Saloon
96 North Dale Street (on the corner of Dale and Ashland)
Saint Paul
I'm moving to a new chapter ....haha. I work for a writing program. Most the send off parties are at the school. I requested a saloon.
That last entry was mine.
P
Yah, we rec'd a letter from the diocese strongly urging us to not watch The Golden Compass. The letter did suggest that if you have older children it could initiate some good dialogue. The boys, specifically, Eli, really wanna see it. So...yah think it's okay?
BTW: I am doing all of our Christmas shopping online with JCPenney today...I'm kinda excited...never done that before!
Congratulations and best wishes Pat. We wish we could be there this afternoon to he help you close the book at Hamline.
Good poem Stevo!
About the shooting...that mallwas ourhome away from home, because of the store...the younger kids would be there with us a lot...Desmond worked there alot...
the guy who got shot in the arm and used his necktie to stop the bleeding...he's a friend of Desmond's, they grduated together.
There are no reasons why civilians should have guns like that...they sould only be used to kill innocent civilians in Iraq.
m.e.
Hey if you guys go here you'll see my new apt. building, and the view across the street. I typed in my address to see what would pop up and this guy lives in the same building.
http://www.simianplus.com/Lakeside.html
About the Golden Compass....certain members of the Church continue to make best-sellers out of marginally sucessful books by being so outraged about them. I understand that the movie is beautifully crafted and downplays the anti-religious agenda (which the author surely shows in the last two books especially). If I were taking my young kid to see it I would have part of the discussion ahead of time about how sometimes great artists are not necessarily right in their opinions or lifestyles (Da Vinci, Mozart etc) and the very talented author of these books falls into that category. Point out how he is very anti-organized-religion and for example, he calls the bad guys the Magisterium, which is the name for the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. (With a name like that, they're kind of asking for it, don't you think?) Let them enjoy the movie and talk about the cool parts and then follow up afterward with things you see in the movie that could be subtle propaganda. Kids need to learn some time that the things that chip away at their faith don't walk around in a red suit and horns, but are embedded in our culture. And I WISH the media would stop going to the Catholic League for the Church's viewpoint on every issue. I have never seen one of those spokespersons who wasn't hostile, sarcastic, defensive and martyred.
Mary -
There are lots of reasons civilians should be allowed to have guns. Some of which are self defense, hunting and the joy of blasting inanimate objects.
If this guy didn't have a gun he would have found another means to attain mayhem and sadly, in his distorted mind, fame.
Every time something like this happens anti gun people use it as an example of how no one should have guns.
I used to feel the same way until I walked into my apartment and a man much larger than me was in it.
Tom
I don't think any of those reasons cover owning an AK-47, which is specifically designed to kill large numbers of people in a very short time. Some of the people killed probably own guns, for all that did for them. I think we should be able to own hunting guns and even non-automatic handguns for self-protection in your own home, but I don't imagine the framers of the Constitution really had mass-humas-destruction machines in mind.
And you can't kill eight people in six minutes with a knife.
By the way, what did you do about the guy in your apartment? Yikes!
Fully automatic AK-47s are illegal. True he could not have killed 8 people in a few minutes with a knife. But, he could have with a car plowed into a crowd of people. The constitution, as I understand it, allowed for weapons so as to be able to quickly form a militia if needed. And who knows, the way things are going....
I ran.
Tom
THe costitution used to not allow women to vote. Things can and sometimes should change.
Tom...just watch late night tv...I've seen ads for that problem.
I was only referring to AK-47s...why why why are they legal...who needs one?
Hunting rifles are fun:-)
m.e.
Well, I agree that when guns are outlawed only the government will have guns - scary - but don't you think somehow we need to try to prevent the situation of some guy snapping and getting his hands on one? It was probably a semiautomatic. They were talking about how he had two magazines taped together, and I don't know anything about guns to know the implications of that. Do we really have a right to personally acquire weapons meant to kill lots of people? I mean morally, not legally. Cars are not meant or designed to kill people but AK-47's are. I think I'm going to learn archery so that if I ever meet up with Orlando Bloom we'll have something to talk about.
Thanks for the compliment M.E. I enjoyed your punnishous prose as well.
BTW, Cathy and I will be coming up to Whittemore next weekend (15/16)for a pre-Christmas visit as we will be in Indiana over Christmas this year. We hope that you and Mike will be there as we missed you guys the last two times we were there.
As of yesterday, I'm now official done with undergraduate classes for the rest of my life!
I know there are a lot of stories of people who just missed the shooter at Westroads, but I have another one. I talked to Andy's sister the day before and knew that she was going to be Christman shopping Wednesday- she lives and works near westroads. I talked to her Wed afternoon though, and she said she was headed over there to get stuff from Von Maur but heard about it on the radio driving there. Andy's aunt had just left the mall through Von Maur a few mintues before. They're both very lucky.
As of yesterday, I'm now official done with undergraduate classes for the rest of my life!
I know there are a lot of stories of people who just missed the shooter at Westroads, but I have another one. I talked to Andy's sister the day before and knew that she was going to be Christman shopping Wednesday- she lives and works near westroads. I talked to her Wed afternoon though, and she said she was headed over there to get stuff from Von Maur but heard about it on the radio driving there. Andy's aunt had just left the mall through Von Maur a few mintues before. They're both very lucky.
I thought I should post twice since it was so important.
Congratulations, Ellen! :-)
As of this moment, I have finished my Christmas shopping. :-<>
I believe in and agree with the constitutional right to own firearms if they are legal and legally owned (not by felons, etc.). I also agree that there is no need for a private citizen to own a high-powered automatic or semiautomatic weapon whether legal or not. I think that AK-47's can be purchased legally by private citizens but I thought they had to be altered prior to purchase so they are not automatic. Anyone know the law on that? Is it State of Federal law?
I also agree with Tom that if that individual in Omaha or anyone else for that matter wanted to "go out in style" and take others with him, it could be accomplished with a motorized vehicle or even a bomb but a mass-shooting seems more sensational. Even when certain types of weapons are illegal, the persons that commit these type of crimes somehow find a way to get them. If these types of weapons were unavailable to the general public would it help to prevent these horrendous acts? Would it also trample on the rights of law-abiding citizens? I don't know the answer to these questions and don't know for sure what my final stance is on the issue of banning certain types of firearms. I do know though that I believe the increased production and mass marketing of violent CD computer games can affect unstable individuals who fantasize about doing something like what happened in Omaha two days ago. They may be unable to seperate the game from reality and convince themselves that they are justified in taking the game to a new level. This brings up a whole new issue of freedom of speech. How far should we go in censoring certain things to protect society?
Congratulations Ellen. We're proud of you.
That's quite a story about Andy's sister and aunt.
We're official proud of you!
Actually, we're more than official proud of Ellen. She made the Dean's List almost every semester of the four years. (Hint to present and future college students: do not take Meteorology for an easy science "A". Just ask Ellen and Grace.) Plus working 15 to 30 hours a week. Waytogo, Peanut!
Yeah about the video games, but what about the 24-hour coverage of sensational news stories by "responsible journalists" showing scenes of school shootings and interviewing victims over and over again? You don't think the 5:00 news puts ideas into already unstable heads? But censoring news organizations isn't the answer.
On Thurs. night's (dismal) Bears/Redskins game, a fan ran out onto the field and the game was delayed. I don't know if he was streaking or what, because the network refused to show him on TV. Too bad Good Morning America can't figure out the virtues of restraint.
I agree with the sports programs not showing fan disturbances in order to not encourage wackos, but don't you wish you could see what happened?
Congratulations Ellen J. !!!
Are you celebrating this weekend?
Proud Auntie m.e.
Desmond...how was your first full week on the new job???
mom
Would someone please send an e-mail to us...we don't think oure-mail is working...been on the phone with"Amberwave" here in Algona...his office is literally 30 feet from ours but he tried to figure it out from his desk...said he's better at his own desk!!!
Anyway..."algonarealty@netamumail.com"
m.e.
Grace, right on!...On everything you said.
I,m a TV news junkie but I do get tired of the same thing over and over and I don't like it when an interviewer asks questions that somehow infer that the perpetrator's family or some other authority is somehow to blame because they did recognize his or her intentions and did not do anything to prevent it.
How cold was it when that incident happened at the Bear's game? Who won?
Exciting news...my Mom and Dad are sending me, my mom, sister, sister-in-law and Aunt Mary to the Hotel Riu in Cancun from April 2-April 6th! WooHoo! :-) Check it out...it's beautiful!
http://www.riu.com/en/hotel-riu-cancun-mexico.html
Wow Nance! Good for you. A well-deserved vacation.
Big Beef - I'm proud of you, too. And totally impressed and inspired.
Nance - you deserve a great vacay. Have a fun time!
Des - I want to know about your new job, too.
Dad (Stevo)- The Bears lost. It was terrible, they didn't even look like a pro team. Humiliating. Grossman got hurt (so did the Redskins QB) and Griese immediately threw a couple interceptions. Grossman's most likely out for the rest of the season, and Griese hasn't impressed me at all this year. They won't even make the play-offs this year. I wonder if anyone besides Hester will even go to the pro-bowl. I think they play the Vikings next week, Monday Night Football.
Speaking of Monday Night Football, does anyone else hate the announcers? Especially that little guy - I always think of him as the Angry Leprechaun. Still, they are not nearly as bad as Gumbel who announces the Thurs. Games for the NFL network... he is terrible. Terrible. Really terrible.
It's my humble opinion that the number of posts on ones birthday blog is in direct correlation to their awesomeness. :-)
i agree.
So if you're sharing a birthday with someone else do you divide the number of posts?
Woo-hoo Nance! Am I the sister-in-law who's going with you?
happy birthday Nance & Joe.
Mia thank you for the movie and the book.
C
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