I read that the hole in that spoon may be used to measure dry spaghetti, it is said to be 2 servings. I'm not sure that this is it's official use though.
There's a write-up of the annual St. Pat's Parade, etc. in the Fort Dodge Messenger. Note the reference to traditional Irish corned beef and sauerkraut.
Thanks to all of you. Molly where in the heck did you find that photo of my spoonlike thing?
I don't yet know what we're doing tonight. Right now I'm laying on the bed watching t.v. We had the fabulous dinner with mom and dad but I might demand another, on this, the actual anniversary of this most momentous day.
If you were going to be an Indian, would you rather be a Northeast woodlands Indian a la Last of the Mohicans or a Plains Indian? I think the Plains Indians looked cooler but I they had to wear those leggings that let their butts hang out. Mohicans (I know they're fictional, don't anyone get excited, I'm referring to an archetype) had canoes, too which are neat.
I don't know. I think I would rather be a woodlands version as I believe they were more sedentary. I'm a sedentary kind of guy. Did either of them have cable? Cause that's the one I would want to be.
When I was in Washington state the tribe you didn't to be was Lummi. The story goes...back in the day before white men came to liberate the Indians from their ignorance and savagery any Indian individual who didn't conform to their society in any way shape or form were banished to the Lummi island. So this island was inhabited by a tribe composed of tainted indians. I presume tainted by birth, physical and mental defects.
There were a lot of Lummis in the area I lived and they were hamstrung by this lore. But eventually they built a casino which they mismanaged yet made a pile of money.
The baby is sleeping and I am in my office...Liam (sick) and Donny are sitting in the other room eating their lunch. Don says, "Liam are you superstitious?" Liam says, "What does that mean?" Don replies, "It means you believe in good luck, bad luck and claustrophobia."
I'm superstitious. I'd also want to be a woodlands Indian because they had lodges which sound much cozier than tipis. And the women didn't have to skin buffalos all the time. They were like Pocahontas and were beautiful and ran around the woods playing and singing and picking berries and flowers. And it was the men who had to concern themselves with hair removal (ouch!) And, you know, Daniel Day Lewis.
Speaking of Indians, I went to a Hindu temple last night. That was pretty interesting, and beautiful. But their theology is so amorphous and yet so complex I don't know if I'll pass the test. In one of the class rooms, there was a dance class going on with beautiful young girls waving their arms gracefully and doing complex foot things - they looked so lovely I wanted stay and look at them, like moving sculptures.
Joe didn't say whether or not these are tribes of today or yesteryear. So I am going to specify that I would like to be from the tribe that owns that big casino in Connecticut cause I want a piece of that pie.
Besides...it was northeast Indians that invented the Mohawk. How cool is that?
Happy birthday Patricia... what did you wishia? To live near the ocean blue with breeze warm and sand, too. Travel to Europe on a 3 week whim while Josh takes his study and work with him? haha...what DID you get? 40 is the new 30, by the way! Sounds like a fun day with Mom and Dad and Wolfie!! He sounded great!
Movers come tomorrow. We haven't done anything to prepare except shred a handful of papers. Monday or Tuesday we start are trek to MN. Two kids, two cats, and two frazzled parents. Until then, we'll be in a totally empty apartment save for one air mattress - and a litter box.
We can't wait to see you, Emily! And Scott and babies, too!
Are the new Wolfe Tones called the New Wolfe Tones or do they have a different name? I know there were some issues with the old Wolfe Tones using the name without Derek.
Lisa...I think it's Derek Warfield and the Young WolfeTones...
Emily, the article failed to mention my huge Shepard's Pie! It was overshadowed by Tom's Stew and Joe's traditional sauerKraut. (People thought it was cake,at first, 'cause the potatoes looked like frosting.) In the Messenger photo, that's Betty in the purple-blue coat.
I might start on discerning the differences between Strawberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Jam and Strawberry Daiquiri. Or Berry Blue and Blueberry. By far the best so far is Juicy Pear, which looks a lot like Margarita but tastes like juicy pear. Only four calories each so I can eat millions if I close up the bag between tastings.
Last I heard from Jim and Erin they said they were selling all their possessions, taking the proceeds and donating them to The Deere Cult and it's leader Imperious John. They were set to live in the commune and help battle the Evil Yellow Cat when the end of days arrives.
The house Mom and Dad built at 200 S. Durant St. is for sale...$189,000... I didn't get the listing, Tom Geelan did, but you can look it up at Farm and Home Services (google it).
Sorry Mary...we can't come either. Tom has been working a lot of hours and the boys have a whole list of things they would like us to do together...not sure exactly what we'll do...but, it will be amazing...I am sure...ha, ha.
It looked much cooler with the rounded entry canopy Mom and Dad designed...someone pulled that one off and put on the rectangular one!!! (a few years ago)
I have a strange infection in my face. Started yesterday and I expected it to go away this morning but it isn't. I have a puffy tender lip and I can feel an ache going up towards my eye.
Anyway, I'm due to see Dr. Dolittle (real name) at the clinic in Algona. This is the same guy who sent one of my employees home when she complained of her whole left side of her body being numb. His response to here was something like, "Well, I'm not sure. Kind of sounds like stroke symptoms. Why don't you come back after your dialysis tomorrow and we will do a CAT Scan if you still feel that way."
The next day she was rushed to Rochester with a stroke. This is the same clinic that sent me home with Mallox before I had that major bowel surgery.
Tom, if he blows you off tell him this is too close to your brain to jack around with and you want some treatment now. I believe in not over-medicating but not to the point of medical nihilism. Has your employee talked to a lawyer?
So, I had this interview today for a part time job. It was at a library in Boca Raton....official title library assistant ii. I didn't take it very seriously, but by god the interviewers did. About 1.5 hours long, 3 people with a list of about 30 questions. They had me in a chair across from the three of them, it was a plastic chair with no table or desk in front of me. Wacky stuff. I was totally unprepared for the intensity of it. How difficult could the job be? They asked a series of search questions: Someone comes in wanting info on XXXX. How do you help them? A kid comes in with a parent 5 minutes prior to closing. They have a report due the next day. Their topic is the everglades. What do you do? Then all the typical interview quetsions like, name a time you disappointed a client. Name a conflict with a coworker in which you came to no resolution. Or something like that. good lord. I would mostly be shelving books and helping people unshelve them.
Did you tell them about Sandy Beach? These are management-type people who have been put in charge of a non-business institution to make it operate in a more businesslike way.
I have a friend who has worked in the Family Life office of the Omaha Archdiocese for about twenty years. They hired a new MBA to run the office who's in charge of kicking ass and taking names. She always talks about getting rid of the dead wood and hiring new people at far less pay (there's Catholic social teaching being totally ignored for you!) Part of my friend's job is compiling and sending out packets of materials about all kinds of stuff like marriage prep etc - it would take two people to replace her, and besides, every time she seals an envelope she says a prayer for whoever she's sending it to. All of her old coworkers are gone now; she knows she's next. She'll be replaced by two English majors who couldn't get hired anywhere more lucrative. They'll start with one and when the office is in a shambles they'll hire another.
I just picked up my pies from Maggie B's for Easter...I almost forgot (they close @2:00 till next Tues.) she gave me 3 doz. homemade buns for free! Hooray, I love free stuff. (apple and pecan)
Tom, The witch doctor song lyrics came from the internet. Don't be too impressed.
Pat, If you didn't care you should have had fun with the interview. Crack open a beer halfway through. Ask questions like "How soon after i'm hired do i have to have a drug test?" If I ever win the lottery that's going to be my new hobby. See how long it takes for me to get ejected from the office.
Dr. Do-Nothing...did something. He walked into the exam room (folder in hand) and began touching Tom's lip sans hand washing and w/o gloves. Icky-poo...just think of all the sick people that touched the door knob, he touched before entering. Anywhoot, he prescribed 150mg of Clindamycin...heavy-duty.
Pat -I've often thought that librarians see themselves as different from everyone else except fellow librarians. Must have something to do with the constant need to ensure that all those books are exactly where they are supposed to be. Most days I have trouble finding my walllet and/or car keys. I couldn't imagine the anal retention required to ensure all those books are properly shelved.
Maybe this April 1st I will go into the library and just start moving books to different areas. Can you imagine the consternation this will cause them when they start finding resource books in the novels? The place will go on lockdown with flashing lights and sirens.
Tom and Joe et al...Mike's niece Kathleen, her 2 kids and her Dad, Bill Egan, plus Mary and Jerry Elbert and their daughter Brigid are all coming up from Omaha to celebrate Easter...they're all staying at Mom and Dad's house... Bill just decided to come yesterday...he's from Bancroft and wants to show his grandkids where he grew up, etc... Saturday night they all want to eat at Sarah's, and then Sunday at noon the Brunch...we would love for you to join in anytime throughout the weekend!! Should be fun...if any of your kids want to spend the night the ages of their kids are: Laura...6th grade Jack...4th grade Brigid..3rd grade Happy Easter!!
Happy Easter!! Yesterday Mom and I went to confession. It always feels good after receiving absolution. Here are a few reasons we should all use the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often: 1) Unforgiven sin can lead to anxiety or even depression; 2) One of the reasons we shower to show respect for the people we come in contact with. Cleansing of the soul also makes us nicer to be around too; 3) Unconfessed mortal sin can cause us to be excluded from Christ's kingdom; 4) I've noticed that almost everyone you see coming out of the confessional has a smile on his or her face; 5) Sometimes love DOES mean having to say you're sorry to the one you love; 6) Hoping to convert on your deathbed? That's not very likely. People have a tendency to die as they lived; 7) It is a serious sin itself to receive Holy Communion with an unconfessed serious sin on your soul; 8) Don't be scared of Confession. Be scared of dying without Confession; 9) Be strong. Face your sins and move on. 10) Under the pain of automatic excommunication the priest will never divulge your sins.
Another thought came upon me at the Good Friday service today. A couple had their young teenaged boy with them. He was OK, but by the end of the service his body language indicated he would prefer to be just about anywhere else. I thought back to when we were young parents and I believe we short changed you. It was an age which had bought into Dr. Spock and other "experts" who taught that good parents never should make their kids uncomfortable or to make them do anything they did not want to do. Because of that, we rarely made you come to many of the Holy Week services. That was a mistake and I realized it was a mistake when we moved to Whittemore, where so many families are there with their kids on Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday afternoon and some even for the Easter vigil Mass. I think we cheated you and I hope that does not tend to cause you to miss those services now that you are adults. And if you do go now, please take your kids, even if they squirm like the kid sitting in front of us today.
**Parent Alert: NOT for kids.** Growing up...we went to Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day and, perhaps, MORE...I said prayers every night and read my entire prayer book (cover to cover) in fear of hurting the feelings of a Saint or missing a need...individual confession...not so much...communal...often and I really liked it. As an adult and with our current, "Restaurant," schedule...we find Sundays difficult and Thursdays (with the kids) more convenient...is that bad? I don't know...maybe, God doesn't mind...maybe, he does??? Hmm. Good food for thought. This being said, as I approach the age when I tell Eli about the birds & bees (he knows some, I know)...I wonder if he will wonder the same as I? I recall, with great detail, the evening (5th grade) when my Mom told me about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy...after, a bit, of sadness and disbelief...I asked her a question and I asked, "Does that mean there isn't a God too?" Part of me was sad and another was annoyed at all of the Masses I attended for nothing! :-<> However,when she replied, "Oh Nancy, of course there is a God...he fills up your heart...yes?" I replied, "Yes Mom," and felt great comfort. I don't know what all this means...just thought it was worth sharing. Good-night and Happy Easter. :-) BTW: We colored 118 eggs tonight...woohoo! :-<>
Returned home around 6pm, last night...after dropping off Donny and Nadia. Watched Nacho Libre w/ the boys...so dumb. The one super funny line is when Nacho/Ignacio (Jack Black) is trying to impress the pretty nun and while he stands there wearing his baby blue & white polyester sweater and pants set...scrunches up his buns and says something funny...that I cannot recall.
Not enough. Next year we will use a website. I wanted to this year, but I kind of forgot about it and didn't have enough time to get it set up.
I'm not going to win. I have Duke in the finals.
Went to Madison for Easter and Frank and I went to a bar on Sat. to watch the ND and Marquette games. Then on Sun. Frank cooked lamb shanks. They were awesome. It was snowing in Wisconsin as I drove back on Sun. afternoon.
The church we attend here in FL is St. Jude's in Tequesta. It is a big, square building and not a long rectangle as many older churches are. It is big. I assume it has seating for 800 to 1000 people. On Easter morning every seat was taken and there were probably 200-250 people standing around the three perimeters. There were probably another 125 in the chapel, which is behind the main altar, separated by a tinted glass wall.
Father Ben, the African priest whom I have told you about celebrated the Mass we attended. When he stood at the altar after the entrance procession he held his arms out wide with his teeth in a gleaming smile and exclaimed: "What a wonderful sight to see all of you here this morning. The church is full with so many standing. This is indeed the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice with Him." Then he opened his arms again with his big smile and said, "And I expect to see you all here next Sunday" This brought chuckles from the congregation. Let's all be at the Eucharist next Sunday and every other weekend. Dad
We went to Cathy & Steve's for Easter dinner. Joe, I've seen your freezer, but I still think they out distance you in terms of being the king and queen of meat. Here's what we had: Ham, pork loin, sausage, lamb, gravy, kapusta, pieroge, potatoes, salad, fruit salad, asparagus, peas, bread and cake. Did I forget anything? (By the way, Molly and I did help a bit with that menu.)
Randy will be off to New York soon. Wish I could go with him!
Sounds like everyone had a great Easter weekend...it's great to be around family and friends!! Our kids all got together in Chicago at Desmond's house, ham and mimosas were on the menu! All the children of the folks st our Easter were invited to Desmond's.
I found a note little Brigid Elbert had made for the weekend at Mom and Dad's: Slide down basement steps (with permission) Draw Play Basketball Watch movies Play video game in basement Talk.
We were having a drink at the new place in Bancroft on Saturday and a cute kid walked by...he looked a lot like one of Monica and Joe's kids, so I said to Bill Egan that I would bet he is a Kennedy...then he sat down at a table full of Kennedy's. It was funny! (Bill Egan and Joe K's Dad were best friends in High School.)
i see that the garrigan fundraising tv drawing is saturday. i still have the winning ticket. joe, when they announce #179 will you accept on my behalf? p
We went to the Easter Vigil Mass this year because I had two teenagers that I prepared being confirmed and I had to do the first reading. At the Easter Vigil mass all the people coming into the Church or those who were baptized but never received other sacraments are brought into full communion (confirmed, receive eucharist etc.) For about the last 25 years or so the church has made a real effort to make the process of coming into the church as much like the original process of the first Christians as possible, so this service is kind of a marathon, with at least 5 readings with psalms and prayers between before you even get to the Gloria. The readings are from the Old Testament and sort of recount our salvation history - Genesis, Abraham, Moses, etc. So I finish reading Genesis (the church is all dark) trying to make it sound like a story without being overdramatic. It was good - the people aren't tired yet - but I absolutely could not see to get down the steps from the altar so I followed up my fine reading by standing there in the dark, leaning backwards, stretching out my toe, tapping around, trying to find the step. Very dignified. But it was a great service; everyone was happy and sang loudly with the choir harmonizing and shouted "Amen!" back at Father at the end of his homily - it was about as close to a tent revival as a (white midwestern) Catholic service will ever get. Going to all the Holy Week services is worth at least a year of catechism as far as teaching the core of our faith goes. I'm a Holy Week cheerleader. Oh, yeah - Emma and Mary and Lisa got their feet washed on Holy Thursday. Mary came dancing back down the aisle making everyone smile.
Lisa didn't mention that she made a beautiful Easter Egg cake that tasted awesome too. I dyed Easter Eggs with Mia Friday night, which is an activity that goes really fast and you're panting at the end.
We did eggs on Friday too! Lots-o-fun. Eli, Liam and Donny each had their own colors, which meant that I had to prepare 18 cups of dye. It took me, almost, 45 minutes to set-up and it took them only, like, 20 minutes to color ALL 118 eggs! Donny brought home a dozen for his Mom and a dozen for his Dad...which means if we eat 4 eggs for breakfast each day...we'll finally be done with them in 23.5 days! Ha! :-<>
Egg salad sandwiches uses up lots of eggs. Replace some of the yolks with hummus for a healthier alternative. I have never tried this but read it somewhere.
We always dyed uncooked eggs too, just so you didn't have to throw away a bunch of boiled eggs after a couple weeks. You just have to be sure everyone knows which are which.
Nance...I will trade you for some eggs...we have oreo pudding cups, applesauce cups, 2 bags of doritos, etc unopened kid food. Serious offer (I love egg salad!)
Tom and I watched a Coen brothers film last night-after the boyz went to bed-No Country for Old Men...I think Mike said it was his favorite. It was really good...except I didn't love the ending. I bought the book, "Eat, Pray, Love," anyone read it? m.e.~ I would keep the unopened food 'cuz with all the preservatives...it won't spoil anytime soon. If I remember...I'll send some eggs to work with Tom...he's gonna be there more than ever with our recent cook shortage. :-( Monica~ Yes, egg salad sammy's are a good way to use them up. I use one yolk per 4 eggs, w/light mayo and that keeps it healthy too. ;-) Cathy~ Funny you should say that...'cuz Liam asked me if we could color eggs that weren't boiled and I said probably...they just may break easily. We should do that next year! ;-)
Nance..at 11 pm last night, as I sipped a glass of wine, the oreo cookie pudding looked really good...I'll just give them to Roger Long, he loves free food!
Well...in the world of snack foods...puddin' ain't so bad! We don't need it either as we have enough Easter candy to last us until Halloween! Thanks anyway.
So what did happen to ND in that game? I was working so wasn't able to watch much b-ball. Did that Harongordy (or whateverhisnameis) become a shrinking violet again? I remember last year he only had 4 points in their tournament loss.
I foolishly had them beating NC, I think, in the pool.
I knew it was the kiss of death when CBS did a big feature on that guard who got kicked off for pot possession last year. They turned it into a feel good story and aired the same day as ND's loss.
I have another interview in a couple of hours. I HATE interviews. This one is for a more professional job...I'll be interviewing with another team of 3people at Florida Atlantic University. Josh likes interviews...he thinks of them as a game. I find this disturbing and unfair.
Pat - don't forget to ask, "Um...do you ever press charges?"
You gotta wonder what goes through the mind of a crusty old veteran like John McCain when Hillary "misspeaks" about landing in Bosnia under sniper fire and having to run to awaiting vehicles ducking lead all the way.
All this when the video of the "hostile landing" shows a reception party of local dignitaries shaking her hand. Including a little girl who read a prepared poem for the then First Lady.
There is no better illustration of how the Clintons will do or say anything to win. I'll bet they are disappointed that there has not been more dirt uncovered about McSlimy cause they love to sling it.
All of this reminds me of the time when the now deceased Lady Di was in some former combat zone (I think some place in Africa). She was there in support of cleaning up abandoned mine fields. A worthy cause to be sure. But, they went overboard when they put her in mine clearing protective gear and let the press take shots of her with the mine clearing troops as they ever so carefully, inch by inch, cleared a field of mines.
At the time I thought to myself, as the press sucked this all up, "What a crock of crap! You can't tell me that this isn't all a set up. That field has long been cleared or, more likely, never had mines in it. They would never let her near anything for which one of them (the military) could be blamed for her death."
The same is true of this Prince whateverhisnameis who was uncovered as a "front line" soldier Afghanistan. You know the military or even the royal house put out the mandate that they would let him be there for a very short time and then leak his presence there to the press so as to get him out of there as quickly as possible.
Tom, I agee with you on the Princess Di thing and the Prince Harry thing. They would have never let him stay.
Can you believe the Steven Suepple story in Iowa City. I know his brother and sister in law. They have kids at Xavier and Regis here in Cedar Rapids. They had Easter dinner with him and family and everything seemed prefectly OK. What a selfish bastard.
He was an bank vice president in Iowa city who got caught embezzling $560,000 a couple of months ago. He also is being charged with money laundring. Anyway, yesterday he killed his whole family and then drove his minivan into a pole on I80. Killing himself. The van exploded and 2or 3 people tried to rescue him but couldn't. They had 3 adopted children from Korea ages 10 to 3.
Sorry, 4 children. They are well know family around here with lots of friends and connections. His Dad and brother are lawyers in Iowa City and his sister in law here in Cedar rapids is a lawyer also. Very successful family and well thought of.
I am a student at the U. of Iowa (I am mostly on line but the U. doesn't know it) and got two "Hawk Alerts" via phone yesterday early am. The recorded message stated that there was a shooter in the Iowa City area and to take precautions until more details became available. Later, when officials knew what was going on, they called off the alert. They also send out emails but the phone calls come first. I am glad they do this considering all the shootings at college campuses. What a tragedy. On a different note, I was accepted (at the U. of Iowa) into grad school and will start in Aug...more nursing. I have a love/hate relationship with school. Kelli
congrats kelli. is it to be a physicians asst? There are billions of nursing jobs down in our area, i've noticed while looking for a job. i read about that iowa city shooting. so crazy and sad. p
The program is for a MSN in nursing education/mgmt. I have never had any desire to be a nurse practitioner (a masters degree specific for the area one wants to practice in) or a physician's asst. (actually a four year degree, or it used to be...maybe a master's level these days though). PAs come out of school with more practical knowledge...or so I've been told by physicians. I want to get out of full-time bedside nursing in the next few years...maybe teach nursing at a small college. Of course, the NPs and PAs are making great money...not the educators...*sigh* Kel
Congrats Kelli! You're now a Hawkeye...Do you like wrestling? Don't bet on any other Iowa sport...haha (sorry Erin) How often do you actually have to go to Iowa City? (a great town)
They kill the family because because they don't want the family to live with the shame of the original transgression. An otherwise logical person just loses perspective. Kinda like Goebbels.
Sometime within the next 6 months (I hope) we will be taking down the perfectly nice and somewhat large and fancy chandelier in the dining room and putting up one I like better. (The one I picked out for the Des Moines house is going up in it's place.) It is bronze/antique-gold toned and dripping with crystals. It is at least six-armed and has three layers of arms and crystal drips. I am sorry not to have a photo to give you, but will soon, maybe. I will also get more information as to approximate dimensions, etc.
Anyway we will be giving it away.
More than one of you have expressed interest in it, and I would hate to choose one person over another. If you are interested, please let us know by the end of April. We will do a drawing in early May.
P.S. Whomever wins this fixture will need to be in charge of getting it to their own residence. I might also make you take the circular mirror on the ceiling above it that helps the prisms do an even more reflective job.
I'm off to take a test (for which I'm not ready) in African, Native American and Hindu religious beliefs, practices and crazy vocabulary. Wish me luck.
Kelli~ Congratulations! It's a lot of work to juggle school, work and a family...kudos to you. Say, if the B-Day GC we sent you expires soon...don't worry, we always accept expired GC's. :-) Speaking of expired GC's...we rec'd one the other day that expired in 2002! Cathy~ How'd you do on your test? Lisa~ I decided to get Emma's gift in ole Mexico and will mail it upon my return. We're suppose to get 2-4" o-snow manana...sigh. :-( Iowa City~ My Mom called me, a few days ago, to warn me about that murder and told me to lock my doors...ha, ha. I can't tell you how many times she'll warn me about this sorta stuff and bad weather...that's 200+ miles away. I always have to remind her that a Tornado in Des Moines does not put me in danger. :-<>
I gotta kick out of the Detroit mayor yesterday. The most damaging evidence against him consists of telephone messages. His lawyer says the State shouldn't be able to use the evidence because it was not obtained properly. The whole defense rests on excluding this evidence. What did the Mayor say about the situation? It was the typical "I feel confident that I will be fully vindicated after a complete disclosure of all the facts and circumstances..." What a bunch of crap.
Regarding the Detroit mayor: I was surprised by a mayor using the word vindicated in this instance. Does that mean that after he (presumably) is cleared of charges he plans to get back at everyone who went after him?
Yeah, Des, I'd say sit on it a couple years if you can.
Nance, I've called Molly to tell her to be careful when I heard bad news about two escaped jailbirds in SE Iowa and I knew she was driving to Des Moines, and Ellen the same when something happened in Ames (can't remember what). One of my kids once said to me, "Well, I thought I'd be careless this time" when I said to drive carefully.
It was full of words like smriti and shruti and names like Paramahansa Yogananda and Mati Amritanandamayi. The words, the words! I passed but I don't know if I got an A. My atman is not in moksha, but in dukkha.
I hate it when you buy a used textbook and someone highlighted or underlined passages. I always flip through them, but this time I wasn't careful enough. This person even put asterisks at each end of a sentence and wrote "Wow!" at the end of it. I saw a page coming up in the future where they used different colors of highlighter on different sentences. I know it's going to really make me mad when I get there. Puke.
BTW, Kelli, congratulations! Check your textbooks carefully before you buy them.
Cathy, I can't check the books first...I order them online and they are shipped to me a day or two later. I usually get new books because so many of them are nursing reference type ones that I want to keep. What are you studying? ME...I will have to go to Iowa City now and then, but not very often. I went in January to meet with a couple of people about the program and enjoyed the drive, etc., so I don't mind a little travel! I'm only going to take six hours each semester next year, too, which is considered part time. I may kick it up after Joe is off to college, but I don't want to be too busy his senior year. :-) Kelli
My Atman is in Dukka for half the week usually. There is a brief period at the end of the week that I feel like I'm closer to Brahman. And then its back to Dukka.
Has anybody ever been to a wedding in Oklahoma? I just got this from the brother of the groom:
Well, The big day is approaching and we are going to have a great time. Just wanted to let everyone know what we are doing the day of the wedding. I have reserved the Skeet Shooting Courses at the Tulsa Gun Club. It located near down town. We will be meeting at 10:00am downtown at the hotel. I will have ammunition and safety gear for the event. Please read the rules of the range before we go. You can find information on the range and the rules @ http://www.tulsagunclub.com/index.html. We need to provide our own guns, therefore bring your 12g shotguns if you have one. If you don't have one we do have some extra guns that can be shared. I would like to have an idea of how many people have there own guns and extras. Therefore, please send me an email with how many guns you can bring and if you don't have a gun.
Des, Tell the guy with the gun, Bubba, that he misspelled "there" and that he should have spelled it "their." I'm sure he will appreciate the correction. Grandpa
Grace, congratulations on your acceptance to Bradley University and the scholarship you were awarded. (Now I will have to decide who to cheer for when Bradley plays Creighton. Mom will probably continue to root for the Blue Jays.) We are so proud of you for ALL you do. We love you, Mom and Dad
Way to go, Grace! :-) Liam was at a B-Day Party after-school. Eli had his friends, Tony and Zack Kollasch (twins) over and then, we all went to Sarah's for dinner. I can tell the twins apart (up close) as Tony wears a blue uniform and has a freckle on his left cheek and Zach wears a white/khaki uniform sans a freckle. I *think* if I were a parent of identical twins...I would dye one of my childs' hair a different color from the other. Sounds weird, but I think I would. It's really hard to distinguish them as seperate identities when you can't tell who is who...and, I think it's important to understand/like them as individuals...for their sake. I liken it to when we first moved here (7 yrs ago!) and I couldn't tell Mike and Mark Behr apart (apparently Tom still cannot recognize Mark). I had a very friendly/personal relationship with Mark and a friendly/cordial relationship with Mike...it was disconcerting to not know, "how," to approach one when I came upon them. I know this isn't a big deal...was just thinking about how challenging it was for me, today, to treat Zach and Tony as individuals and was wondering how I might, if in the situation, try and help that out. Of course...who knows...just thinkin' :-) Good-Night, Straub Blog.
I believe my dad to be a man filled with wisdom. However, I would hesitate to correct someone who carries a weapon and perhaps has extras to share. By the way, who is the groom and how is it that you are going to the wedding?
Grace -
Amazing! I am more than impressed. When I think of all you do, I just want to go take a nap.
Cute story: My brother came home from work and emptied his wallet, placing $500 on his kitchen counter. The next morning, he went to retrieve his money and it was gone. His wife didn't know where it was...the baby certainly didn't and so he asked their 4 year old daughter, "Morgan, do you know where Daddy's money is?" Morgan replies, "It's in my bank." Bobby checked her bank and it wasn't there...he figured she didn't understand and dropped it. Later on that morning, Bobby was getting her ready for daycare. Morgan said, "Daddy can I bring my purse to Lisa's today?" He said, "Sure." Just as they were getting in the car...Morgan opens her purse, to put a Dora toy inside, and she has difficulty finding room 'cuz there's $500 dollars all wadded up and stuffed in her purse! Ha, ha...makes me laugh. He gave her a $2 dollar finders fee. Cute.
The Oklahoma wedding is for a guy named Ron Vanderslice. We were good friends in college. I went to his Bachelor Party in Vegas about a month back. His brother, Bubba, rented out a block of rooms at the Hooters Hotel and Casino. It was ridiculously funny. The place smelled of wings, beer, cigarettes and prostitutes.
Regardless, I'm not sure how I feel about shooting guns with the ol'boys. I might have to feign sickness. Or wellness.
Mike and I now own 223 E. Call!!! We're excited!! We'll start working on Monday...should take 2 months. We're driving down to Omaha/CB Friday to bring Mom and Dad's car to them as they are arriving there tomorrow, it will be great to see them (they'll have weather shock)...we'll go to the Big Band deal and then Emma's First Communion. Tonight we're going to a wild game feed then Joe4's dress rehearsal for his play...just now on the radio the DJ was asking kids in the play about costumes, they said Joe Straub had the best costume...They said he's a tennis pro and wears really tight short shorts. It was funny.
WooHoo Mary and Mike...I bet you're excited! :-<> What are your plans, with it, in the next two months? It's a cool house...you guys will really make it shine, I know. Whittemore may not be super far away...but, it will be so convenient now with work and stuff. Congratulations. :-)
On the Today show they were talking about a possible Obama/Bloomberg ticket because they apparently had breakfast together and then Bloomberg introduced Obama at some rally or whatever. Whuh?
THIS IS NOT THE 'DON'T BUY' GAS FOR ONE DAY, BUT IT WILL SHOW YOU HOW WE CAN GET GAS BACK DOWN TO $1.30 PER GALLON.
This was sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came from one of his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. If you are tired of the gas prices going up AND they will continue to rise this summer, take time to read this please.
Phillip Hollsworth offered this good idea. This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain day" campaign that was going around last April or May! It's worth your consideration. Join the resistance!!!!
I hear we are going to hit close to $ 4.00 a gallon by next summer and it might go higher!! Want gasoline prices to come down?
We need to take some intelligent, united action.
The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy gas .
It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them. BUT, whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can Really work. Please read on and join with us!
By now you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about $2.00 is super cheap. Me too! It is currently $3.49 for regular unleaded in my town, Seattle.
Now that the oil com panies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50 - $1.75, we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace..not sellers.
With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action.
The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit
someone in the pocketbook by not purchasing their gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves.
How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas. &nb sp; But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a price war.
Here's the idea: For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL.
If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If
they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers. It's really simple to do! Now, don't wimp out on me at this point...keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people!!
I am sending this note to 30 people. If each of us send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000)... and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth group of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers . If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!
If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE HUNDRED MILLION
PEOPLE!!!
Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all!
(If you don't understand how we can reach 300 million and all you have to do is send this to 10 people.... Well, let's face it, you just aren't a mathematician. But I am . so trust me on this one.
How long would all that take? If each of us sends this e-mail out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days!!!
I'll bet you didn't think you and I had that much potential, did you! Acting together we can make a difference.
If this makes sense to you, please pass th is message on. I suggest that we not buy from EXXON/MOBIL UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE $2.00 RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK.
Obama is sunk. This whole Rev. Wright thing is going to do him in. And it should. To associate yourself so closely with someone like that shows extremely poor judgment. Obama hangs his hat on better judgment and as a uniter. His voting record in the Senate clearly shows he is not a uniter. He's a strict liberal.
He's toast when the republican smear machine gets into hight gear.
It's all the more reason to elect Obama...that is the black church culture...with the self-respect that having a Black Pres. would give to many Black males, etc. our society could chip away at those insecurities that causes a Minister to say those things. Plus...Obama will be a great president regardless of this PERK! Tom, McCain better start taking his geritol 'cause he'll have to be able to hold on tight when the slinging starts AND IT WILL!
Ha! The other night, I was at Sarah's with the boys and their friends. Along came Eli's Kindergarten Teacher. She was an okay Teacher...however, I did request the other Teacher for both Liam and Donny when they entered Kindergarten. We had a, surprisingly, nice chat and I really enjoyed her. She did say a funny thing that people will sometimes, without thinking, say to me..."Hi! Wow...good to see you...we haven't been here in forever!" Sigh...not what a business owner wants to hear. Anywhoot, the next day when I was balancing the till...I noticed something...she used the GC that Eli gave her back for Thanksgiving in 2002! I know, I know...I said we except all regardless of the date...and, will occasionally get ridiculously outdated Certs...but, come on! Personally, I would be embarrassed to redeem. I mean Eli had just turned 6 and now he's on his way to 12! Oh well...they did spend an extra $8 on top of it! :-)
Is Emily going to be in the Algona area this weekend? Anytime soon? Me got Scott's Christmas present. Me want give Scott. Me go now. Me go vroom vroom.
170 comments:
Have a great day P.
Hi Pat!
Rouse yourself for more green birthday beer!
Love,
lisa
I read that the hole in that spoon may be used to measure dry spaghetti, it is said to be 2 servings. I'm not sure that this is it's official use though.
Happy Birthday Pat!
There's a write-up of the annual St. Pat's Parade, etc. in the Fort Dodge Messenger. Note the reference to traditional Irish corned beef and sauerkraut.
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/504182.html?nav=5010
who were the grand marshalls this year?
lisa
Happy Birthday Pat! How old are you? Oh yeah, 40. You get 40 spanks with a wooden spoon.
Monica
Happy birthday Pat! Enjoy your day. Do something different and exciting for your birthday. Go hang-gliding over the ocean or wrestle an alligator.
Thanks to all of you. Molly where in the heck did you find that photo of my spoonlike thing?
I don't yet know what we're doing tonight. Right now I'm laying on the bed watching t.v. We had the fabulous dinner with mom and dad but I might demand another, on this, the actual anniversary of this most momentous day.
Demand! Demand!
I just sent out an e-mail for the NCAA March Madness pool. If you didn't get it and want in e-mail me.
Well, it's 4:00 here, and since I'm turning forty, I'm going to have my first of four beers, I think.
p
Pat, It sounds like you need to find a job. Happy Birthday and love from Mom and Dad
But take your birthday off. Have a nice evening!
oh yes. i know.
reality: 1 beer, 1 cosmo, 1 cabernet.
still, i'm 40.
p
Happy B-day, Pat! Hope you had an awesome Birthday! :-)
Molly~ So cool you found that spoon-photo! Kudos to you. :-)
Pat -
For post-40 blues: Take that spoon with a hole in it and whip up a box of brownie mix.
Did Josh get you an apron to match your bonnet?
Love,
lisa
Dad -
If you read this, check your email. I tried calling and it's been busy. I'm not coming today, perhaps tomorrow?
P
yeah, she's too hung over to make it off her couch.
Frank
If you were going to be an Indian, would you rather be a Northeast woodlands Indian a la Last of the Mohicans or a Plains Indian? I think the Plains Indians looked cooler but I they had to wear those leggings that let their butts hang out. Mohicans (I know they're fictional, don't anyone get excited, I'm referring to an archetype) had canoes, too which are neat.
I don't know. I think I would rather be a woodlands version as I believe they were more sedentary. I'm a sedentary kind of guy. Did either of them have cable? Cause that's the one I would want to be.
Tom
I think I'd want to be an arapaho. they sound pretty.
p
When I was in Washington state the tribe you didn't to be was Lummi. The story goes...back in the day before white men came to liberate the Indians from their ignorance and savagery any Indian individual who didn't conform to their society in any way shape or form were banished to the Lummi island. So this island was inhabited by a tribe composed of tainted indians. I presume tainted by birth, physical and mental defects.
There were a lot of Lummis in the area I lived and they were hamstrung by this lore. But eventually they built a casino which they mismanaged yet made a pile of money.
Tom
The baby is sleeping and I am in my office...Liam (sick) and Donny are sitting in the other room eating their lunch. Don says, "Liam are you superstitious?" Liam says, "What does that mean?" Don replies, "It means you believe in good luck, bad luck and claustrophobia."
I'm superstitious. I'd also want to be a woodlands Indian because they had lodges which sound much cozier than tipis. And the women didn't have to skin buffalos all the time. They were like Pocahontas and were beautiful and ran around the woods playing and singing and picking berries and flowers. And it was the men who had to concern themselves with hair removal (ouch!) And, you know, Daniel Day Lewis.
Speaking of Indians, I went to a Hindu temple last night. That was pretty interesting, and beautiful. But their theology is so amorphous and yet so complex I don't know if I'll pass the test. In one of the class rooms, there was a dance class going on with beautiful young girls waving their arms gracefully and doing complex foot things - they looked so lovely I wanted stay and look at them, like moving sculptures.
But maybe a Seneca because I've always wanted to go to Washington and the weather is better.
I would want to be one of those South American or Mexcan indians because they were visted by UFOs and taught how to make pyramids.
Ed, sure, as long as you're the high priest or the king. otherwise you'll end up with someone trying to cut your heart out with a stone knife. ouch.
i'd want to be a Kickapoo Indian.
HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY PAT...YOUR HALF WAY TO 80!
ML
I wish I were 40.
I'd want to hang with D. D. Lewis. Of course he wasn't Indian, but he'd fall in love with me for sure.
Because of the Kikapoo joy juice, Frank?
The DD Lewis of modern day or the DD Lewis of 15 years ago? He sometimes seems kind of creepy now.
I have no desire to chew hides to tan them.
Lisa
Joe didn't say whether or not these are tribes of today or yesteryear. So I am going to specify that I would like to be from the tribe that owns that big casino in Connecticut cause I want a piece of that pie.
Besides...it was northeast Indians that invented the Mohawk. How cool is that?
Tom
that's what i was saying, the Kickapoo have a nice casino north of Madison.
Frank
Make sure you have your picks into Ed by 11:00 AM Chicago time tomorrow.
Anyone see the Creighton game last night? It was amazing!
By tomorrow I of course mean Thursday 3/20
Happy birthday Patricia...
what did you wishia?
To live near the ocean blue
with breeze warm and sand, too.
Travel to Europe on a 3 week whim
while Josh takes his study and work with him?
haha...what DID you get?
40 is the new 30, by the way!
Sounds like a fun day with Mom and Dad and Wolfie!! He sounded great!
The wooden spoon is actually a therapy house for agoraphobic birds!
Joe J....that series was one of the best ever on TV...can it be rented???
Movers come tomorrow. We haven't done anything to prepare except shred a handful of papers. Monday or Tuesday we start are trek to MN. Two kids, two cats, and two frazzled parents. Until then, we'll be in a totally empty apartment save for one air mattress - and a litter box.
Just read the Fort Dodge Messenger article. Tom, did you prepare the traditional Irish saurkraut? What idiot wrote that article?
We can't wait to see you, Emily! And Scott and babies, too!
Are the new Wolfe Tones called the New Wolfe Tones or do they have a different name? I know there were some issues with the old Wolfe Tones using the name without Derek.
Happy First Day of Spring!
Lisa
First day of spring and we are supposed to get 4-8 inches of snow. D'oh! (Slaps hand to forehead).
I've tried over and over and I can't tell the difference between Orange Juice flavored and Tangerine flavored jelly beans.
Lisa...I think it's Derek Warfield and the Young WolfeTones...
Emily, the article failed to mention my huge Shepard's Pie! It was overshadowed by Tom's Stew and Joe's traditional sauerKraut. (People thought it was cake,at first, 'cause the potatoes looked like frosting.)
In the Messenger photo, that's Betty in the purple-blue coat.
Well, you know, if you fix your corned beef with your sauerkraut, well then you have your ingredients for a nice Reuben there.
Cathy...orange you going to test some more!
the orange ones are gone
What's everyone doing for Easter???
All are welcome to come to Mom and Dad's house for Sunday Brunch!!! About noon. RSVP!!
I might start on discerning the differences between Strawberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Jam and Strawberry Daiquiri. Or Berry Blue and Blueberry. By far the best so far is Juicy Pear, which looks a lot like Margarita but tastes like juicy pear. Only four calories each so I can eat millions if I close up the bag between tastings.
Sorry Mary, can't make it but we maybe up there the first week in April.
Does anyone ever here form Jim and Erin? Are they home?
Monica
Last I heard from Jim and Erin they said they were selling all their possessions, taking the proceeds and donating them to The Deere Cult and it's leader Imperious John. They were set to live in the commune and help battle the Evil Yellow Cat when the end of days arrives.
Tom
The house Mom and Dad built at 200 S. Durant St. is for sale...$189,000... I didn't get the listing, Tom Geelan did, but you can look it up at Farm and Home Services (google it).
Sorry Mary...we can't come either. Tom has been working a lot of hours and the boys have a whole list of things they would like us to do together...not sure exactly what we'll do...but, it will be amazing...I am sure...ha, ha.
Hey Mary...I see you just posted...I returned your call, from earlier, and left you a voice mail. Im home. :-)
It looked much cooler with the rounded entry canopy Mom and Dad designed...someone pulled that one off and put on the rectangular one!!! (a few years ago)
But...you guys live here, Nance.
I guess what I was getting at was: How did they get posession of the the WolfeTones moniker?
(Not to be confused with Monica)
Lisa
Pat -
Happy birthday!
What are you doing for it?
D
I think Dad knows about the WolfeTones moniker...maybe anyone can own it cause he was a real person??
What does m/l mean in a real estate listing?
mary lavelle haha, means more or less.
Pat reports that Xavier is losing at halftime...I want my money back!!
I have a strange infection in my face. Started yesterday and I expected it to go away this morning but it isn't. I have a puffy tender lip and I can feel an ache going up towards my eye.
Anyway, I'm due to see Dr. Dolittle (real name) at the clinic in Algona. This is the same guy who sent one of my employees home when she complained of her whole left side of her body being numb. His response to here was something like, "Well, I'm not sure. Kind of sounds like stroke symptoms. Why don't you come back after your dialysis tomorrow and we will do a CAT Scan if you still feel that way."
The next day she was rushed to Rochester with a stroke. This is the same clinic that sent me home with Mallox before I had that major bowel surgery.
I do lack confidence in these guys.
Tom
I call him Dr. Do-Nothing.
And then the witch doctor
He told me what to do
He said that
Ooo eee,ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla bing bang...
Ooo eee ,ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla ,bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla bing bang
CAthy - I am so impressed that you got all those catchy lyrics down pat.
Tom - your witch doctor seems aptly named. I think I'd find a doctor named Dr. dogood.
lisa
S'not me.
This could be a residual effect of pulling off your own skin tags.
We're taking Donny in for cleaning/flouride treatment at 3pm. Dr. Strohman is gonna take a look at it too.
Tom, if he blows you off tell him this is too close to your brain to jack around with and you want some treatment now. I believe in not over-medicating but not to the point of medical nihilism. Has your employee talked to a lawyer?
So, I had this interview today for a part time job. It was at a library in Boca Raton....official title library assistant ii. I didn't take it very seriously, but by god the interviewers did. About 1.5 hours long, 3 people with a list of about 30 questions. They had me in a chair across from the three of them, it was a plastic chair with no table or desk in front of me. Wacky stuff. I was totally unprepared for the intensity of it. How difficult could the job be?
They asked a series of search questions: Someone comes in wanting info on XXXX. How do you help them? A kid comes in with a parent 5 minutes prior to closing. They have a report due the next day. Their topic is the everglades. What do you do?
Then all the typical interview quetsions like, name a time you disappointed a client. Name a conflict with a coworker in which you came to no resolution. Or something like that. good lord. I would mostly be shelving books and helping people unshelve them.
P
Is it family dentist day? Sounds like you're all going!
Did you tell them about Sandy Beach? These are management-type people who have been put in charge of a non-business institution to make it operate in a more businesslike way.
I have a friend who has worked in the Family Life office of the Omaha Archdiocese for about twenty years. They hired a new MBA to run the office who's in charge of kicking ass and taking names. She always talks about getting rid of the dead wood and hiring new people at far less pay (there's Catholic social teaching being totally ignored for you!) Part of my friend's job is compiling and sending out packets of materials about all kinds of stuff like marriage prep etc - it would take two people to replace her, and besides, every time she seals an envelope she says a prayer for whoever she's sending it to. All of her old coworkers are gone now; she knows she's next. She'll be replaced by two English majors who couldn't get hired anywhere more lucrative. They'll start with one and when the office is in a shambles they'll hire another.
I just picked up my pies from Maggie B's for Easter...I almost forgot (they close @2:00 till next Tues.) she gave me 3 doz. homemade buns for free! Hooray, I love free stuff.
(apple and pecan)
Tom,
The witch doctor song lyrics came from the internet. Don't be too impressed.
Pat,
If you didn't care you should have had fun with the interview. Crack open a beer halfway through. Ask questions like "How soon after i'm hired do i have to have a drug test?" If I ever win the lottery that's going to be my new hobby. See how long it takes for me to get ejected from the office.
Frank
Dr. Do-Nothing...did something. He walked into the exam room (folder in hand) and began touching Tom's lip sans hand washing and w/o gloves. Icky-poo...just think of all the sick people that touched the door knob, he touched before entering. Anywhoot, he prescribed 150mg of Clindamycin...heavy-duty.
Pat -I've often thought that librarians see themselves as different from everyone else except fellow librarians. Must have something to do with the constant need to ensure that all those books are exactly where they are supposed to be. Most days I have trouble finding my walllet and/or car keys. I couldn't imagine the anal retention required to ensure all those books are properly shelved.
Maybe this April 1st I will go into the library and just start moving books to different areas. Can you imagine the consternation this will cause them when they start finding resource books in the novels? The place will go on lockdown with flashing lights and sirens.
Tom
so they predict 8 to 12 inches of snow in Madison today. if they get over 9 that means over 100 inches total for the year.
Frank
The Richardson endorsement is huge for McSlimey. I wonder what kind of deal was struck.
Richardson's just a nice guy...Obama's had a tough week, that's all, no deal.
Tom and Joe et al...Mike's niece Kathleen, her 2 kids and her Dad, Bill Egan, plus Mary and Jerry Elbert and their daughter Brigid are all coming up from Omaha to celebrate Easter...they're all staying at Mom and Dad's house...
Bill just decided to come yesterday...he's from Bancroft and wants to show his grandkids where he grew up, etc...
Saturday night they all want to eat at Sarah's, and then Sunday at noon the Brunch...we would love for you to join in anytime throughout the weekend!! Should be fun...if any of your kids want to spend the night the ages of their kids are: Laura...6th grade
Jack...4th grade
Brigid..3rd grade
Happy Easter!!
Tommy McBandwagon says...
I never really cared that much for Drake. But you know that Davidson team...I've always liked the way they play.
Happy Easter!! Yesterday Mom and I went to confession. It always feels good after receiving absolution. Here are a few reasons we should all use the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often: 1) Unforgiven sin can lead to anxiety or even depression; 2) One of the reasons we shower to show respect for the people we come in contact with. Cleansing of the soul also makes us nicer to be around too; 3) Unconfessed mortal sin can cause us to be excluded from Christ's kingdom; 4) I've noticed that almost everyone you see coming out of the confessional has a smile on his or her face; 5) Sometimes love DOES mean having to say you're sorry to the one you love; 6) Hoping to convert on your deathbed? That's not very likely. People have a tendency to die as they lived; 7) It is a serious sin itself to receive Holy Communion with an unconfessed serious sin on your soul; 8) Don't be scared of Confession. Be scared of dying without Confession; 9) Be strong. Face your sins and move on. 10) Under the pain of automatic excommunication the priest will never divulge your sins.
Another thought came upon me at the Good Friday service today. A couple had their young teenaged boy with them. He was OK, but by the end of the service his body language indicated he would prefer to be just about anywhere else. I thought back to when we were young parents and I believe we short changed you. It was an age which had bought into Dr. Spock and other "experts" who taught that good parents never should make their kids uncomfortable or to make them do anything they did not want to do. Because of that, we rarely made you come to many of the Holy Week services. That was a mistake and I realized it was a mistake when we moved to Whittemore, where so many families are there with their kids on Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday afternoon and some even for the Easter vigil Mass. I think we cheated you and I hope that does not tend to cause you to miss those services now that you are adults. And if you do go now, please take your kids, even if they squirm like the kid sitting in front of us today.
Once again, Happy Easter!!
Love, Mom and Dad
Happy Good Friday!
Am I just a typical white person?
**Parent Alert: NOT for kids.**
Growing up...we went to Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day and, perhaps, MORE...I said prayers every night and read my entire prayer book (cover to cover) in fear of hurting the feelings of a Saint or missing a need...individual confession...not so much...communal...often and I really liked it. As an adult and with our current, "Restaurant," schedule...we find Sundays difficult and Thursdays (with the kids) more convenient...is that bad? I don't know...maybe, God doesn't mind...maybe, he does??? Hmm. Good food for thought.
This being said, as I approach the age when I tell Eli about the birds & bees (he knows some, I know)...I wonder if he will wonder the same as I? I recall, with great detail, the evening (5th grade) when my Mom told me about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy...after, a bit, of sadness and disbelief...I asked her a question and I asked, "Does that mean there isn't a God too?" Part of me was sad and another was annoyed at all of the Masses I attended for nothing! :-<> However,when she replied, "Oh Nancy, of course there is a God...he fills up your heart...yes?" I replied, "Yes Mom," and felt great comfort.
I don't know what all this means...just thought it was worth sharing. Good-night and Happy Easter. :-)
BTW: We colored 118 eggs tonight...woohoo! :-<>
Ok - so after the first round of games here are the standings in the Straub NCAA pool:
Jim 52
Tom 50
Ed 50
Mike 48
Mary 44
Erin 44
Rob 44
Pat 44
Des 42
:-) Happy Easter! :-)
Returned home around 6pm, last night...after dropping off Donny and Nadia. Watched Nacho Libre w/ the boys...so dumb. The one super funny line is when Nacho/Ignacio (Jack Black) is trying to impress the pretty nun and while he stands there wearing his baby blue & white polyester sweater and pants set...scrunches up his buns and says something funny...that I cannot recall.
NCAA pool standings after the second round:
Ed 90
Jim 88
Mike 88
Rob Z 84
Mary 80
Erin 80
Tom 78
Des 78
Pat 76
Ed, how many points do you get for moderating?
Not enough. Next year we will use a website. I wanted to this year, but I kind of forgot about it and didn't have enough time to get it set up.
I'm not going to win. I have Duke in the finals.
Went to Madison for Easter and Frank and I went to a bar on Sat. to watch the ND and Marquette games. Then on Sun. Frank cooked lamb shanks. They were awesome. It was snowing in Wisconsin as I drove back on Sun. afternoon.
The church we attend here in FL is St. Jude's in Tequesta. It is a big, square building and not a long rectangle as many older churches are. It is big. I assume it has seating for 800 to 1000 people. On Easter morning every seat was taken and there were probably 200-250 people standing around the three perimeters. There were probably another 125 in the chapel, which is behind the main altar, separated by a tinted glass wall.
Father Ben, the African priest whom I have told you about celebrated the Mass we attended. When he stood at the altar after the entrance procession he held his arms out wide with his teeth in a gleaming smile and exclaimed: "What a wonderful sight to see all of you here this morning. The church is full with so many standing. This is indeed the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice with Him." Then he opened his arms again with his big smile and said, "And I expect to see you all here next Sunday" This brought chuckles from the congregation. Let's all be at the Eucharist next Sunday and every other weekend. Dad
We went to Cathy & Steve's for Easter dinner. Joe, I've seen your freezer, but I still think they out distance you in terms of being the king and queen of meat. Here's what we had: Ham, pork loin, sausage, lamb, gravy, kapusta, pieroge, potatoes, salad, fruit salad, asparagus, peas, bread and cake. Did I forget anything? (By the way, Molly and I did help a bit with that menu.)
Randy will be off to New York soon. Wish I could go with him!
Lisa
Sounds like everyone had a great Easter weekend...it's great to be around family and friends!!
Our kids all got together in Chicago at Desmond's house, ham and mimosas were on the menu! All the children of the folks st our Easter were invited to Desmond's.
I found a note little Brigid Elbert had made for the weekend at Mom and Dad's:
Slide down basement steps (with permission)
Draw
Play Basketball
Watch movies
Play video game in basement
Talk.
What's he doing in New York?
We were having a drink at the new place in Bancroft on Saturday and a cute kid walked by...he looked a lot like one of Monica and Joe's kids, so I said to Bill Egan that I would bet he is a Kennedy...then he sat down at a table full of Kennedy's. It was funny!
(Bill Egan and Joe K's Dad were best friends in High School.)
i see that the garrigan fundraising tv drawing is saturday. i still have the winning ticket. joe, when they announce #179 will you accept on my behalf?
p
We went to the Easter Vigil Mass this year because I had two teenagers that I prepared being confirmed and I had to do the first reading. At the Easter Vigil mass all the people coming into the Church or those who were baptized but never received other sacraments are brought into full communion (confirmed, receive eucharist etc.) For about the last 25 years or so the church has made a real effort to make the process of coming into the church as much like the original process of the first Christians as possible, so this service is kind of a marathon, with at least 5 readings with psalms and prayers between before you even get to the Gloria. The readings are from the Old Testament and sort of recount our salvation history - Genesis, Abraham, Moses, etc. So I finish reading Genesis (the church is all dark) trying to make it sound like a story without being overdramatic. It was good - the people aren't tired yet - but I absolutely could not see to get down the steps from the altar so I followed up my fine reading by standing there in the dark, leaning backwards, stretching out my toe, tapping around, trying to find the step. Very dignified. But it was a great service; everyone was happy and sang loudly with the choir harmonizing and shouted "Amen!" back at Father at the end of his homily - it was about as close to a tent revival as a (white midwestern) Catholic service will ever get. Going to all the Holy Week services is worth at least a year of catechism as far as teaching the core of our faith goes. I'm a Holy Week cheerleader. Oh, yeah - Emma and Mary and Lisa got their feet washed on Holy Thursday. Mary came dancing back down the aisle making everyone smile.
Lisa didn't mention that she made a beautiful Easter Egg cake that tasted awesome too. I dyed Easter Eggs with Mia Friday night, which is an activity that goes really fast and you're panting at the end.
We did eggs on Friday too! Lots-o-fun. Eli, Liam and Donny each had their own colors, which meant that I had to prepare 18 cups of dye. It took me, almost, 45 minutes to set-up and it took them only, like, 20 minutes to color ALL 118 eggs! Donny brought home a dozen for his Mom and a dozen for his Dad...which means if we eat 4 eggs for breakfast each day...we'll finally be done with them in 23.5 days! Ha! :-<>
I love Brigid Elbert's memo. Has she been there before?
For those of you who like(d) bands like Southern Culture on the Skids and Squirrel Nut Zippers - you might want to check out: The Pine Hill Haints
Egg salad sandwiches uses up lots of eggs. Replace some of the yolks with hummus for a healthier alternative. I have never tried this but read it somewhere.
Monica
We always dyed uncooked eggs too, just so you didn't have to throw away a bunch of boiled eggs after a couple weeks. You just have to be sure everyone knows which are which.
Nance...I will trade you for some eggs...we have oreo pudding cups, applesauce cups, 2 bags of doritos, etc unopened kid food. Serious offer (I love egg salad!)
Cathy...Brigid arrived the night before Jack and Laura...so she had prepared activities!
Tom and I watched a Coen brothers film last night-after the boyz went to bed-No Country for Old Men...I think Mike said it was his favorite. It was really good...except I didn't love the ending. I bought the book, "Eat, Pray, Love," anyone read it?
m.e.~ I would keep the unopened food 'cuz with all the preservatives...it won't spoil anytime soon. If I remember...I'll send some eggs to work with Tom...he's gonna be there more than ever with our recent cook shortage. :-(
Monica~ Yes, egg salad sammy's are a good way to use them up. I use one yolk per 4 eggs, w/light mayo and that keeps it healthy too. ;-)
Cathy~ Funny you should say that...'cuz Liam asked me if we could color eggs that weren't boiled and I said probably...they just may break easily. We should do that next year! ;-)
Nance..at 11 pm last night, as I sipped a glass of wine, the oreo cookie pudding looked really good...I'll just give them to Roger Long, he loves free food!
I had a Coke after Easter Vigil mass - first one in 6 weeks - it was sooo bubbly!
That would be a good Coke commercial!
Well...in the world of snack foods...puddin' ain't so bad! We don't need it either as we have enough Easter candy to last us until Halloween! Thanks anyway.
So what did happen to ND in that game? I was working so wasn't able to watch much b-ball. Did that Harongordy (or whateverhisnameis) become a shrinking violet again? I remember last year he only had 4 points in their tournament loss.
I foolishly had them beating NC, I think, in the pool.
I knew it was the kiss of death when CBS did a big feature on that guard who got kicked off for pot possession last year. They turned it into a feel good story and aired the same day as ND's loss.
Tom
I have another interview in a couple of hours. I HATE interviews. This one is for a more professional job...I'll be interviewing with another team of 3people at Florida Atlantic University. Josh likes interviews...he thinks of them as a game. I find this disturbing and unfair.
p
Pat - don't forget to ask, "Um...do you ever press charges?"
You gotta wonder what goes through the mind of a crusty old veteran like John McCain when Hillary "misspeaks" about landing in Bosnia under sniper fire and having to run to awaiting vehicles ducking lead all the way.
All this when the video of the "hostile landing" shows a reception party of local dignitaries shaking her hand. Including a little girl who read a prepared poem for the then First Lady.
There is no better illustration of how the Clintons will do or say anything to win. I'll bet they are disappointed that there has not been more dirt uncovered about McSlimy cause they love to sling it.
All of this reminds me of the time when the now deceased Lady Di was in some former combat zone (I think some place in Africa). She was there in support of cleaning up abandoned mine fields. A worthy cause to be sure. But, they went overboard when they put her in mine clearing protective gear and let the press take shots of her with the mine clearing troops as they ever so carefully, inch by inch, cleared a field of mines.
At the time I thought to myself, as the press sucked this all up, "What a crock of crap! You can't tell me that this isn't all a set up. That field has long been cleared or, more likely, never had mines in it. They would never let her near anything for which one of them (the military) could be blamed for her death."
The same is true of this Prince whateverhisnameis who was uncovered as a "front line" soldier Afghanistan. You know the military or even the royal house put out the mandate that they would let him be there for a very short time and then leak his presence there to the press so as to get him out of there as quickly as possible.
Tom
Tom, I agee with you on the Princess Di thing and the Prince Harry thing. They would have never let him stay.
Can you believe the Steven Suepple story in Iowa City. I know his brother and sister in law. They have kids at Xavier and Regis here in Cedar Rapids. They had Easter dinner with him and family and everything seemed prefectly OK. What a selfish bastard.
Monica
Awww, I bet you don't believe in the Tooth Fairy either.
What is the Steven Suepple story?
He was an bank vice president in Iowa city who got caught embezzling $560,000 a couple of months ago. He also is being charged with money laundring. Anyway, yesterday he killed his whole family and then drove his minivan into a pole on I80. Killing himself. The van exploded and 2or 3 people tried to rescue him but couldn't. They had 3 adopted children from Korea ages 10 to 3.
Monica
Sorry, 4 children. They are well know family around here with lots of friends and connections. His Dad and brother are lawyers in Iowa City and his sister in law here in Cedar rapids is a lawyer also. Very successful family and well thought of.
Monica
What could be going through a guy's mind when he kills his whole family like that? I feel sorry for the extended family - how awful.
I am a student at the U. of Iowa (I am mostly on line but the U. doesn't know it) and got two "Hawk Alerts" via phone yesterday early am. The recorded message stated that there was a shooter in the Iowa City area and to take precautions until more details became available. Later, when officials knew what was going on, they called off the alert. They also send out emails but the phone calls come first. I am glad they do this considering all the shootings at college campuses. What a tragedy.
On a different note, I was accepted (at the U. of Iowa) into grad school and will start in Aug...more nursing. I have a love/hate relationship with school.
Kelli
congrats kelli. is it to be a physicians asst? There are billions of nursing jobs down in our area, i've noticed while looking for a job.
i read about that iowa city shooting. so crazy and sad.
p
The program is for a MSN in nursing education/mgmt. I have never had any desire to be a nurse practitioner (a masters degree specific for the area one wants to practice in) or a physician's asst. (actually a four year degree, or it used to be...maybe a master's level these days though). PAs come out of school with more practical knowledge...or so I've been told by physicians. I want to get out of full-time bedside nursing in the next few years...maybe teach nursing at a small college. Of course, the NPs and PAs are making great money...not the educators...*sigh*
Kel
Congrats Kelli! You're now a Hawkeye...Do you like wrestling? Don't bet on any other Iowa sport...haha (sorry Erin) How often do you actually have to go to Iowa City? (a great town)
A great town if you're not a Seupple.
p
Why don't people like Seupple just run to Mexico,or Costa Rico...get away...why do they kill everyone around them??
They kill the family because because they don't want the family to live with the shame of the original transgression. An otherwise logical person just loses perspective. Kinda like Goebbels.
PLEASE READ THIS!
WE ARE GIVING SOMETHING AWAY!
Sometime within the next 6 months (I hope) we will be taking down the perfectly nice and somewhat large and fancy chandelier in the dining room and putting up one I like better. (The one I picked out for the Des Moines house is going up in it's place.) It is bronze/antique-gold toned and dripping with crystals. It is at least six-armed and has three layers of arms and crystal drips. I am sorry not to have a photo to give you, but will soon, maybe. I will also get more information as to approximate dimensions, etc.
Anyway we will be giving it away.
More than one of you have expressed interest in it, and I would hate to choose one person over another. If you are interested, please let us know by the end of April. We will do a drawing in early May.
P.S. Whomever wins this fixture will need to be in charge of getting it to their own residence. I might also make you take the circular mirror on the ceiling above it that helps the prisms do an even more reflective job.
Thanks,
Lisa and Randy
712-352-0578
I swear to you that it was 25 degrees this morning and now it is 58. Soooooo nice.
The worm has turned.
I'm off to take a test (for which I'm not ready) in African, Native American and Hindu religious beliefs, practices and crazy vocabulary. Wish me luck.
Kelli, congratulations on acceptance into Graduate School at U of Iowa.
Cathy, you are probably gone already but good luck on your test tonight.
Kelli~ Congratulations! It's a lot of work to juggle school, work and a family...kudos to you. Say, if the B-Day GC we sent you expires soon...don't worry, we always accept expired GC's. :-) Speaking of expired GC's...we rec'd one the other day that expired in 2002!
Cathy~ How'd you do on your test?
Lisa~ I decided to get Emma's gift in ole Mexico and will mail it upon my return.
We're suppose to get 2-4" o-snow manana...sigh. :-(
Iowa City~ My Mom called me, a few days ago, to warn me about that murder and told me to lock my doors...ha, ha. I can't tell you how many times she'll warn me about this sorta stuff and bad weather...that's 200+ miles away. I always have to remind her that a Tornado in Des Moines does not put me in danger. :-<>
I gotta kick out of the Detroit mayor yesterday. The most damaging evidence against him consists of telephone messages. His lawyer says the State shouldn't be able to use the evidence because it was not obtained properly. The whole defense rests on excluding this evidence. What did the Mayor say about the situation? It was the typical "I feel confident that I will be fully vindicated after a complete disclosure of all the facts and circumstances..." What a bunch of crap.
Last year, I planned to sell my house this spring.
Now that we're here, it me of a quote from one of my favorite movies:
"How do you make God laugh? Make a plan."
Regarding the Detroit mayor: I was surprised by a mayor using the word vindicated in this instance. Does that mean that after he (presumably) is cleared of charges he plans to get back at everyone who went after him?
How was your test, Cathy?
Lisa
Yeah, Des, I'd say sit on it a couple years if you can.
Nance, I've called Molly to tell her to be careful when I heard bad news about two escaped jailbirds in SE Iowa and I knew she was driving to Des Moines, and Ellen the same when something happened in Ames (can't remember what). One of my kids once said to me, "Well, I thought I'd be careless this time" when I said to drive carefully.
It was full of words like smriti and shruti and names like Paramahansa Yogananda and Mati Amritanandamayi. The words, the words! I passed but I don't know if I got an A. My atman is not in moksha, but in dukkha.
I hate it when you buy a used textbook and someone highlighted or underlined passages. I always flip through them, but this time I wasn't careful enough. This person even put asterisks at each end of a sentence and wrote "Wow!" at the end of it. I saw a page coming up in the future where they used different colors of highlighter on different sentences. I know it's going to really make me mad when I get there. Puke.
BTW, Kelli, congratulations! Check your textbooks carefully before you buy them.
Cathy, I can't check the books first...I order them online and they are shipped to me a day or two later. I usually get new books because so many of them are nursing reference type ones that I want to keep. What are you studying?
ME...I will have to go to Iowa City now and then, but not very often. I went in January to meet with a couple of people about the program and enjoyed the drive, etc., so I don't mind a little travel! I'm only going to take six hours each semester next year, too, which is considered part time. I may kick it up after Joe is off to college, but I don't want to be too busy his senior year. :-)
Kelli
My Atman is in Dukka for half the week usually. There is a brief period at the end of the week that I feel like I'm closer to Brahman. And then its back to Dukka.
Each week is like one giant Samsara. Jeez.
and the world takes yet another turn towards "wuhhuh?"
http://www.kitv.com/news/15707641/detail.html
Friday's comin'. Take care of your kundalini there, Des.
Has anybody ever been to a wedding in Oklahoma? I just got this from the brother of the groom:
Well, The big day is approaching and we are going to have a great time. Just wanted to let everyone know what we are doing the day of the wedding. I have reserved the Skeet Shooting Courses at the Tulsa Gun Club. It located near down town. We will be meeting at 10:00am downtown at the hotel. I will have ammunition and safety gear for the event. Please read the rules of the range before we go. You can find information on the range and the rules @ http://www.tulsagunclub.com/index.html. We need to provide our own guns, therefore bring your 12g shotguns if you have one. If you don't have one we do have some extra guns that can be shared. I would like to have an idea of how many people have there own guns and extras. Therefore, please send me an email with how many guns you can bring and if you don't have a gun.
BUBBA
Des, Tell the guy with the gun, Bubba, that he misspelled "there" and that he should have spelled it "their." I'm sure he will appreciate the correction. Grandpa
Are you flying with your gun?
Be careful they took away my water.
Monica
Watch "Steel Magnolias" before you go. Really.
Grace, congratulations on your acceptance to Bradley University and the scholarship you were awarded. (Now I will have to decide who to cheer for when Bradley plays Creighton. Mom will probably continue to root for the Blue Jays.) We are so proud of you for ALL you do. We love you,
Mom and Dad
I just played the geography game. It was masochistic. There was one country I never even heard of.
Congrats Grace!! A Brad Grad to be!
Desmond...that's really funny...who are these people?
Fabulous, Grace. Tell us more about it.
Des, how many guns are you bringing?
p
Way to go, Grace! :-)
Liam was at a B-Day Party after-school. Eli had his friends, Tony and Zack Kollasch (twins) over and then, we all went to Sarah's for dinner. I can tell the twins apart (up close) as Tony wears a blue uniform and has a freckle on his left cheek and Zach wears a white/khaki uniform sans a freckle. I *think* if I were a parent of identical twins...I would dye one of my childs' hair a different color from the other. Sounds weird, but I think I would. It's really hard to distinguish them as seperate identities when you can't tell who is who...and, I think it's important to understand/like them as individuals...for their sake. I liken it to when we first moved here (7 yrs ago!) and I couldn't tell Mike and Mark Behr apart (apparently Tom still cannot recognize Mark). I had a very friendly/personal relationship with Mark and a friendly/cordial relationship with Mike...it was disconcerting to not know, "how," to approach one when I came upon them. I know this isn't a big deal...was just thinking about how challenging it was for me, today, to treat Zach and Tony as individuals and was wondering how I might, if in the situation, try and help that out. Of course...who knows...just thinkin' :-)
Good-Night, Straub Blog.
Desy -
I believe my dad to be a man filled with wisdom. However, I would hesitate to correct someone who carries a weapon and perhaps has extras to share. By the way, who is the groom and how is it that you are going to the wedding?
Grace -
Amazing! I am more than impressed. When I think of all you do, I just want to go take a nap.
Cheers,
lisa
Cute story:
My brother came home from work and emptied his wallet, placing $500 on his kitchen counter. The next morning, he went to retrieve his money and it was gone. His wife didn't know where it was...the baby certainly didn't and so he asked their 4 year old daughter, "Morgan, do you know where Daddy's money is?" Morgan replies, "It's in my bank." Bobby checked her bank and it wasn't there...he figured she didn't understand and dropped it. Later on that morning, Bobby was getting her ready for daycare. Morgan said, "Daddy can I bring my purse to Lisa's today?" He said, "Sure." Just as they were getting in the car...Morgan opens her purse, to put a Dora toy inside, and she has difficulty finding room 'cuz there's $500 dollars all wadded up and stuffed in her purse! Ha, ha...makes me laugh. He gave her a $2 dollar finders fee. Cute.
Congrats, Grace!
The Oklahoma wedding is for a guy named Ron Vanderslice. We were good friends in college. I went to his Bachelor Party in Vegas about a month back. His brother, Bubba, rented out a block of rooms at the Hooters Hotel and Casino. It was ridiculously funny. The place smelled of wings, beer, cigarettes and prostitutes.
Regardless, I'm not sure how I feel about shooting guns with the ol'boys. I might have to feign sickness. Or wellness.
I remember his Mom from Mom's weekend at KU...all the Oklahoma Moms wore sparkly or furry clothes and big jewelry...but, VERY nice.
Awwww come on, Des. Yer not afraid of mixing guns with alcohol are you?
Tom
Mike and I now own 223 E. Call!!! We're excited!! We'll start working on Monday...should take 2 months.
We're driving down to Omaha/CB Friday to bring Mom and Dad's car to them as they are arriving there tomorrow, it will be great to see them (they'll have weather shock)...we'll go to the Big Band deal and then Emma's First Communion.
Tonight we're going to a wild game feed then Joe4's dress rehearsal for his play...just now on the radio the DJ was asking kids in the play about costumes, they said Joe Straub had the best costume...They said he's a tennis pro and wears really tight short shorts. It was funny.
Congrats Mike and Mary! Very exciting.
BTW, there is a photo of Joe in his tight white shorts ont he Algona Publishing website, under our community.
p
WooHoo Mary and Mike...I bet you're excited! :-<>
What are your plans, with it, in the next two months? It's a cool house...you guys will really make it shine, I know. Whittemore may not be super far away...but, it will be so convenient now with work and stuff. Congratulations. :-)
On the Today show they were talking about a possible Obama/Bloomberg ticket because they apparently had breakfast together and then Bloomberg introduced Obama at some rally or whatever. Whuh?
When's the housewarming party? Congratulations!
Interesting email forwarded to me:
THIS IS NOT THE 'DON'T BUY' GAS FOR ONE DAY, BUT IT WILL SHOW YOU HOW WE CAN GET GAS BACK DOWN TO $1.30 PER GALLON.
This was sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came from one of his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. If you are tired of the gas prices going up AND they will continue to rise this summer, take time to read this please.
Phillip Hollsworth offered this good idea.
This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain day" campaign that was going around last April or May!
It's worth your consideration. Join the resistance!!!!
I hear we are going to hit close to $ 4.00 a gallon by next summer and it might go higher!! Want gasoline prices to come down?
We need to take some intelligent, united action.
The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy gas .
It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them.
BUT, whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can Really work. Please read on and join with us!
By now you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about $2.00 is super cheap. Me too! It is currently $3.49 for regular unleaded in my town, Seattle.
Now that the oil com
panies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50 - $1.75, we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace..not sellers.
With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action.
The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit
someone in the pocketbook by not purchasing their gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves.
How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas.
&nb
sp;
But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a price war.
Here's the idea: For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL.
If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If
they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers. It's really simple to do! Now, don't wimp out on me at this point...keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people!!
I am sending this note to 30 people. If each of us send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000)... and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth group of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers .
If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!
If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE HUNDRED MILLION
PEOPLE!!!
Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all!
(If you don't understand how we can reach 300 million and all you have to do is send this to 10 people.... Well, let's face it, you just aren't a mathematician. But I am . so trust me on this one.
How long would all that take? If each of us sends this e-mail out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days!!!
I'll bet you didn't think you and I had that much potential, did you!
Acting together we can make a difference.
If this makes sense to you, please pass th
is message on. I suggest that we not buy from EXXON/MOBIL UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE $2.00 RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK.
Obama is sunk. This whole Rev. Wright thing is going to do him in. And it should. To associate yourself so closely with someone like that shows extremely poor judgment. Obama hangs his hat on better judgment and as a uniter. His voting record in the Senate clearly shows he is not a uniter. He's a strict liberal.
He's toast when the republican smear machine gets into hight gear.
Tom
It's all the more reason to elect Obama...that is the black church culture...with the self-respect that having a Black Pres. would give to many Black males, etc. our society could chip away at those insecurities that causes a Minister to say those things.
Plus...Obama will be a great president regardless of this PERK!
Tom, McCain better start taking his geritol 'cause he'll have to be able to hold on tight when the slinging starts AND IT WILL!
Des..are some gas stations like Cenex really owned by Exxon/Mobil?
Ha! The other night, I was at Sarah's with the boys and their friends. Along came Eli's Kindergarten Teacher. She was an okay Teacher...however, I did request the other Teacher for both Liam and Donny when they entered Kindergarten. We had a, surprisingly, nice chat and I really enjoyed her. She did say a funny thing that people will sometimes, without thinking, say to me..."Hi! Wow...good to see you...we haven't been here in forever!" Sigh...not what a business owner wants to hear. Anywhoot, the next day when I was balancing the till...I noticed something...she used the GC that Eli gave her back for Thanksgiving in 2002! I know, I know...I said we except all regardless of the date...and, will occasionally get ridiculously outdated Certs...but, come on! Personally, I would be embarrassed to redeem. I mean Eli had just turned 6 and now he's on his way to 12! Oh well...they did spend an extra $8 on top of it! :-)
Is Emily going to be in the Algona area this weekend? Anytime soon? Me got Scott's Christmas present. Me want give Scott. Me go now. Me go vroom vroom.
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